Several weeks ago I met up with two Phoenix area wildlife photographers for some east side birding. In exchange for a delicious Chipotle lunch, I showed them around one of my favorite Salt River sites, Coon Bluff. The bluff itself is a great and famous place to observe perched Bald Eagles, and its lower reaches host all kinds of other cool birds, including Canyon and Rock Wrens, Lucy's Warbler, and Flycatchers in the surrounding bosque.
To be honest, she had weirdly dilated eyes and seemed to be pretty disengaged from her surroundings, like she was in a trance. Must've been drinking the salt water again...
There were plenty of Swallows flying around too, with Rough-wings being the most frequent perchers.
In addition to the always-suave Phainopeplas, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and Vermillion Flycatchers in the mesquite bosque east of the Coon Bluff Parking area, the highlight of the day came in observing a pair of Bald Eagles from across the river. With rolling hills of saguaros in the background, they happily perched, preened, and fed in a very raptor-oreinted cottonwood tree.
There are lots of Eagle nests along the Salt River (which should not themselves be directly/intentionally approached, both for ethical and legal reasons), but Coon Bluff has to be one of the better places to observe these patriotic raptors in Maricopa county. They fly up and down the river, but seem to pause and perch in this area the most, with little regard for lookyloos. Eagle Bluff may be a better name; I have never seen raccoons in the area.
With recent rains helping the keep the desert landscape a most charming green, now is a great time to visit the Salt River sites. Steve and Charlie had a great go of it, snagging some super images not only of the Eagles, but of the Flycatchers and Woodpeckers in the area too.
We didn't find or photograph the wild horses this time around, despite them being the biggest animals in the area, but I did get one of the smallest. And gnats all she wrote.
A Chipotle lunch in exchange for a bit of birding sounds like a very good deal - on both ends. Was this another birdingpal hook up?
ReplyDeleteNah this was just a local hook up.
DeleteThat being said, I maybe should put a 'Chipotle Clause' in my Birdingpal info
Life's quality would vastly improve if more things came with a Chipotle clause rather than all the legal language.
DeleteThe first time I had Chipotle was while I was visiting Tempe. I was very happy to come back and find it in NJ! There was also a really good cupcake place out there. The cupcake place isn't back here on the east coast, sadly. The clause should be Chipotle or cupcakes....
I hear ya. Personally I'll defer on the cupcakes for a 4 lb. burrito, but I've always had a hard time eating cute things.
DeleteThis is the first day of thesis writing I am not carrying the cake with me as incentive. It's at home, waiting.
DeleteChipotle it is then.
DeleteDon't say that! I was so good last night and didn't go to Chipotle.
DeleteLOL!!! "Gnats all I got." Oh man! Sweet! So much to say or write here but thank you for adding the ethical/legal stuff. I've been finding the nests of all these birds everywhere...hawks, eagles, owls, etc etc. Last night a Game and Fish person asked myself and Kathie where a Harris Hawks' nest was located. Now I should trust officials in official cars but this is afterall Arizona. He had thought that the Great Horned Owls kicked the Harris Hawks off their nest but that wasn't the case. The Harris are located in a security tight facility so I figured it was okay to help the guy out. In return, he gave me the locations of my first of the year Lesser Nighthawks.
ReplyDeleteI'm monitoring a Great Horned Owl nest right now at our school. Too many teenagers. 3 owlets.
I'm loving the birder crowd right now. There are a lot of fun people out there. I actually met a guy doing a big year! He's number 34, or around there, on the US list. We sat staring at a known Whiskered Screech Owl's nest. They never came out, but the Elf Owl made an appearance instead. I'll take the little guy:)
PS. This weekend we are going to the Salton Sea...finally. I'm needing some shorebird fun without the rancid smells during the summer. My sniffer can't handle the strong fish smells.
Sounds like you're really in the thick of it now Chris : )
DeleteI think I'll take an Elf Owl over a Western Screech too, but neither would offend me.
Speaking of offensive though, I am afraid your nose will still be dealt an offensive blow by the Salton Sea breeze. It won't be as bad as during the summer, but make no mistake, it's about as close as man can get to birding in the swamps of Mordor.
Don't follow the lights...
LOL!!! Is Sonny Bono under that water?:) I haven't told my other half what it's like. We have our room in Yuma and tomorrow the adventure begins. I just hope Cher is around to pull me out of the water in case I do follow the lights:)
DeleteWe're heading to the Phoenix Comicon in May. No birding that weekend. Just geekin' out. I'm meeting Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig of the original Star Trek! I can't wait!
hehe, well she wasn't there on that fateful skiing trip...
DeleteComicon should be cool. You going to dress up?
Great photos, Laurence! I really like the Northern Rough-wing picture!
ReplyDeleteThanks Prairie Birder, great to have you stop by.
DeleteThe rolling hills of saguaros make a great background in the Bald Eagle photo.
ReplyDeleteBirding fun and free lunch sounds like a sweet deal!
It was an offer I couldn't refuse.
DeleteCoon Cliff looks like a beautiful place. Great views of the eagles and Miss Merganser. Really beautiful scenery there!
ReplyDeleteMan it is so weird to see Bald Eagles in front of saguaros.
ReplyDelete