A Shut Up Sighting at Beatty's in Miller Canyon AZ

On the way back to Madera Canyon during our weekend away in April we decided to stop by some of our favorite birding spots.  Our first stop was to Beatty's.  We had heard about a Spotted Owl and wanted to see for ourselves.  We stopped by the store and asked directions to the bird.  We then paid our donations, which for all the work they do is too little if you ask me and I can say that with the feeders we own, then headed off to find the bird.  We made sure to be quiet and not to disturb this beauty when we finally found him.

Killer Time at Kubo in Madera, AZ

The weekend of April 12-14 2013 we went down to Madera Canyon in Arizona.  We stayed at Madera Kubo, you can check out my review HERE.  It was a great place to stay.  While we took a day and headed South to Bisbee and then to the Miller Canyon area we really enjoyed checking out the birds in Madera Canyon as well.  We had some surprise sightings while staying at Madera, Kubo!

Kubo's Cozy Little Cut-away!

The weekend of April 12 through the 14th the hubby and I decided to take a much needed break.  My parents watched the kiddo's and fur-babies while he and I headed a few hours south.  We decided to book a room/cottage in one of the canyon's we like to hike in, Madera Canyon.  We were calling around and finding most the rooms booked for the weekend!  Luckily for us, the people at Madera Kubo, called us back to say they would be willing to let us stay in their recently renovated "Tree House".  They have a house they are slowly remodeling into places for people to stay.   It is unlike their normal adorable cabins, they built those from scratch themselves, as it is a property that is being remodeled.  I wasn't sure how to picture it, but having met the owners before and enjoying their feeders before decided to take the change and stay there.  My husband had reserves as it wasn't a cabin on their site and recently remodeled can mean a lot of different things.  Still off we went....

Madera Canyon July 13, 2012

We stopped in at the Santa Rita Lodge for a pit stop on our family vacation.  Showing the in-laws the feeders we changed the kids and picked up some souvenirs/snacks/and drinks for the rest of the journey.  We love the Santa Rita Lodge and were happy to share it with the in-laws.  We managed to find a quick second to snap some great shots of the Black Headed Grosbeak one of many birds we ran into on our trip!!

Montosa Canyon July 13, 2012

We took a day off from our couples trip and then loaded up the in-laws, kids, and dogs in the car for a trip down to Southern Arizona for a one night family get away.  We left early in the morning and arrived in Montosa Canyon with McDonald's breakfast for everyone, a feeder with nectar, and water for the dogs.

Scotia Canyon July 11, 2012 Day 5

We packed up the car and headed out home.  Before we were to get home we had planned one last hike.  We drove through the base and over to Scotia Canyon.  After what seemed like forever we finally crossed where the stream would have crossed the road had it been there and the camping parking was immediately to our left.

Mary Jo's Ash Canyon B and B July 10, 2012 Day 4

We knew that the area of Ash Canyon had been hit hard by the fire and that their were no reported sightings of the Lucifer at their normal haunt, Mary Jo's.  Still, we just had to stop and see if maybe we would be the lucky first to spot this rare hummingbird.

Carr Canyon House July 10, 2012 Day 4

We drove up Carr Canyon, but due to road conditions had to stop and turn around as the 4 door sedan isn't made for terrain that rocky.  We decided to go back down and park near Carr Canyon House.  We sadly noticed that none of the feeders were out.  We walked past and headed down a trail.  It started sprinkling on and off.

Lucifer House July 10, 2012 Day 4

After stopping for lunch in our room, we headed to Target to grab a few things and make sure we were in cell rang when the birding group called.  We weren't disappointed as they called with instructions on where to go.  We arrived shortly after them and were warmly accepted into their group.  The home was beautiful and that of a nature photographer whose yard wasn't only a bird paradise but hosts over 77 species of crickets!!!!

July 10, 2012 Sierra Vista EOP Day 4

From the San Pedro House we headed to Sierra Vista EOP.  We were hoping for more activity here and wanted a photo of the Yellow-Headed Black Bird.  We sat for a while and saw some Yellow-Headed Black Birds, but they didn't cooperate for a photo.

San Pedro House July 10, 2012 Day 4

From Beatty's we headed to San Pedro House.   We had heard and seen a fly by of the Coot yesterday, but greedily wanted a photo of this rare bird.  We started off and excitedly headed to San Pedro House on July 10, 2012.

Beatty's in Miller Canyon on July 10, 2012 Day 4

After our long hike the night before we decided to head back to Beatty's early in the morning to see if we could spot the White-Eared Hummingbird again! This time we parked at the right spot.  We sat down on the bleachers and our first visitor of the day was an Anna's Hummingbird.

Beatty's House July 9 2012 Day 3

We ate at the Texas Grill and enjoyed a big meal and great company.  We headed up to Beatty's House after dinner expecting a short walk and then to sit in the bleachers we had read about while watching the feeders.  And had we received more detailed instructions that's what would have happened.  Instead, this is what happened....

Ramsey Canyon Preserve July 9 2012 Day 3

We arrived back where we were staying and we walked over to the Ramsey Canyon Preserve to check out what they had to offer.  We were very pleased at the friendly staff and that they showed us exactly where a Violet-Crowned Hummingbird's nest was seen.  With our new knowledge we headed on the trail.

Holy Trinity Monastery David, AZ April 9 2012 Day 3

From the San Pedro House we headed to the Holy Trinity Monastery in David, AZ.  When we first pulled in we were greeted by an unusual, but amazing sight.  Male Peacocks were wondering about!

Seirra Vista EOP July 9 2012 Day 3

We arrived at the Seirra Vista EOP which is some man main reclaimed water ponds.  They have set up a viewing station for the ponds and other then the canopy at the viewing station there is no cover from the sun.  The ponds themselves are grown over with tall grass and cat-tails. From time to time things will fly up to go from pond to pond.  The first thing that flew up was this Bullock's Oriole.

San Pedro House July 9 2012 Day 3

Day 3 started early again at 4:30am!  We headed out in search of the birds.  We had a full day ahead of us with a lot of potential birds to see!  We decided to stop first at San Pedro House.

July 8, 2012 Chiracauhua Day 2

From Slaughter Ranch at the boarder we drove up to Chiracauhua National forest in hopes of seeing a Flame Colored Tanager.  We ran into some very nice birders who informed us that they had not seen the bird but found the nest.  Sadly, it was speculated the nest had been abandon and the bird moved on.  Talk about disappointment.

Slaughter Ranch July 8 2012 Day 2

Early to bed means early to rise.  We were up at 4:30am and out the door a short time later headed out to Slaughter Ranch.  We were up before the sun and it greeted us with a glorious splendor.

Birdanza Trip Day 1 Patagonia-Sonora Preserve

After bidding the Patton's House adieu, we headed down the road to the Patagonia-Sonora Preserve. It was nicely shaded and upon getting out of the car I caught a sight of blue which I thought was an Indigo Bunting, but it turned out was a Blue Grosbeak upon hunting him down.  Still a pretty bird.