Saguaro National Park
This park is split into east and west sections. We stayed adjacent to the west section. The photo of Saguaro cactus below is from out our back window. Notice all of the holes? Saguaro Cactus act as bird condominiums for cavity nesters. The holes are made from Gilded Flickers and Gila Woodpeckers. The Gila Woodpeckers create the holes in the lower part of the cactus where the cactus skin is tougher. The Gilded Flickers concentrate their work on the tops only because the skin is softer.
Saguaro blooms last only one day & are replaced by new buds.
Cane Cholla bloom
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher ...
a funnel of a spider web
Saguaro cactus
The road to Mt. Lemmon starts on the Sonoran desert floor. It offers the biological equivalent of driving from the deserts of Mexico to the forests of Canada in a short stretch of 27 miles.
At 9,157 feet, Mt Lemmon is the highest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. It is part of the Coronado National Forest.
Incinerator Ridge is a popular birding destination near the top of the mountain.
Incredible views of feeding & singing Virginia's Warbler
Red-faced Warbler
This male Olive Warbler came down to check us out
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Plumbeous Vireo
Rose Canyon Campground is located on the Mt Lemmon Road on the way up to Incinerator Ridge. It is a beautiful canyon set in ponderosa pine and oaks.
This White-breasted Nuthatch came to meet us
Male Western Bluebird
Calling Buff-breasted Flycatcher
The World is Full of Beauty & Wonder,
Turtle&Hawk
WOW!!!!! You guys are having an amazing adventure. LOVE all the beautiful birds. Godspeed xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your heart-felt sharing:-) We hope to reconnect when back in the islands in September.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the cacti in bloom! We've never been in the desert when the Saguaro are blooming -- one of these days. :-) Isn't the Red-faced Warbler a delight? Sweet photos.
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