SE Arizona

My wife, two puppies and I set out for SE Arizona to witness the many species of hummers migrating south. We drove 750 miles the first day and stopped in Van Horn, TX just short of El Paso for the night.

The next morning Barn Swallows were scooping water from the swimming pool at the motel's swimming pool.

LEFT-CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE.

A couple of them were sitting on a mud nest in the breezeway of the motel.

The next four days we explored Miller Canyon, Ash Canyon, Madera Canyon, and Patagonia in SE Arizona and saw some amazing birds.

A Spotted Owl resting on a limb was not too concerned about us.

A colorful adult male Rufous Hummingbird was buzzing the sugar water feeders.

A Ladder-Backed Woodpecker was working his way up the trunk..

Broad-Billed Hummingbirds are spectacular!

'Peek-a-Boo' !

Another not in full plumage.

A Canyon Towhee was a first.

A gorgeous tiny Costa's Hummingibird sitting on a limb showing off. :)

A tiny Elf Owl was resting.

A juvenile Zone-Tailed Hawk took off from his perch in the trees.

A backlit Gray Hawk was keeping a watchful eye for a meal below..

One of the many fussy Cactus Wren sitting amongst the cactus.

Rare Violet-Crowned Hummingbirds are usually present at Paton's feeders in Patagonia. You couldn't ask for a more knowledgeable and friendly host as Larry Morgan who oversees the place.

A juvenile Violet-Crowned was about.

A Lesser Goldfinch working over the leaves.

Black-Chinned Hummers were out in good numbers.

A White-Breasted Nuthatch bounced up on the side of a tree and was gone in a wink.

This Mexican Jays were similar to but not the same as our Blue Jays.

A Roadrunner experiencing heat stroke?

In South Louisiana dey would be called 'Hebert's Towhee' but in reality it is an Abert's Towhee.

As we found out, conditions change quickly in the mountains so be prepared and pack rain gear.

Anna's Hummingbirds are nothing less than stunning.

Another

Do they have electical lights plugged in to their gorget?.

Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds were hanging out.

Band-Tailed Pigeon

A rare White-Eared Hummingbird made an appearance at the feeders.

Mary Jo Ballator's feeders are dependable for the rare Lucifer Hummingbirds and she is a superb host. She told us there was a couple from Baton Rouge the day before we arrived and they knew Nancy Newfield. It's a small world.

Another

A Gila Woodpecker

Acorn Woodpecker

Female hummers of all species were about.

A couple of Gambel's Quail momentarily walked from the grass in the open.

Wild Turkeys strutting by.

A Dove was sitting on a nest in a cactus tree.

The Chipmunks are quick and cute.

This Prairie Dog was nuts!

You won't find this growing in the marshes of  South Louisiana.

We came across a flowering giant pincushion (Barrel Cactus).

The Prickly Pear Cactus was hands-off !

Our faithful little Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds were waiting for us at home!

The "End"

It was a fun trip and a good time was had by me, my wife and our two puppies. We hope to go again one day!