Leaving Catalina State Park in Oro Valley, AZ last January we traveled to Amado, AZ and stayed at a private RV park called DeAnza RV Resort. The reason we stayed in Amado was to travel to Madera Canyon.
Madera Canyon is a birders paradise. Here is a quick link if you might be interested in traveling to this gorgeous area. https://friendsofmaderacanyon.org
One of the common birds seen in this area is the Mexican Jay. I first saw this Jay on December 29, 2020 and was number 398 on my birding list. They are fun to photograph and it is fun to just sit and watch their interactions with each other.
The soft-blue and gray Mexican Jay looks like a duskier version of other scrub-jays (whose genus they share) but has a smaller black bill and lacks a blue necklace. Its range extends from Mexico into pine-oak-juniper woodlands of the southwestern U.S.
Notice how much white the Mexican Jay has compared to other species of Scrub Jays.
Mexican Jays live in family groups of up to 25 individuals and may have several active nests in one territory. All group members share the responsibility of feeding young. They rarely disperse and stay with their groups throughout their lives.
~Arizona has the most beautiful subsets, I believe, of all the states we have camped. These were taken last December while we were camping at Picacho Peak and Catalina State parks.
Catalina State ParkCatalina State ParkCatalina State ParkCatalina State ParkPicacho Peak State Park. I waited a little too late to capture this one, but it sure was dramatic.
Wishing everyone a happy Friday. Go outside and admire a gorgeous sunset wherever you are.
~December, 2022 Catalina State Park, Oro Valley, AZ
They are so fun to watch, postering to defend they territory.Looking tough!
When the light hits their head and throat it is a gorgeous sight. I saw my first Anna’s on January 3, 2009 at Catalina State Park.
Like the Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s are pugnacious and well known for its territorial behavior. Males fiercely defend feeding areas and chase away other male hummingbirds and even large insects such as bumblebees and hawk moths that try to feed there. They are known to eat more insects than any other hummingbird. They can live up to eight and half years.
From the flowers and insects they feed on, to the trees and bushes they rest and nest in, to their brilliant colors and strengths – all astonishing examples of nature’s creations.
~Catalina State Park in Oro Valley, AZ – End of 2022
I don’t believe there is anything negative I could say about this park. It is a “gem” of an Arizona state park. It is so well loved that it is hard to get reservations during the winter months.
Catalina State Park is located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is home to nearly 5,000 saguaros and desert plants. There are 5,500 acres of foothills and canyons that offer opportunities for camping, hiking, and bird watching. The park is home to more than 150 species.
If you get tired of bird watching you can ride your horse or your bike. Right outside the park you can connect to the walking/riding trail system called The Loop and ride or walk for miles and miles. I believe The Loop is 131 miles long.
11/2022 – I found some photos, of Dead Horse Ranch State Park, on my phone that I thought I would share. Geez, sometimes managing photos can be a major chore.
There are three lagoons in Dead Horse each with a walking trail that circles the entire body of water. As you can see from the photos below the water captures some great reflection shots.
Still a little Fall color left in November.
Verde River
The river and these ponds are excellent places to bird. In fact the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival is an annual event hosted by Friends of the Verde Valley at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Here is a link: https://verderiver.org/birding-festival/
I was there one year when the festival was being setup. I regret not staying and participating in the event.
Wolf Song Blog 