Friday, February 27
Woke up a little late because we didn't receive our wake up call. Because of this and because there was no hot tub and because the room was too hot and the air conditioner didn't work, we decided to check out of the motel (not so Great Western) even though we had checked in for two nights. Quickly found another one nearby.
One of the highlights of every trip I made to Arizona was going to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum so Joan and I headed that way. But first we made a stop on Shannon Road. I had gone there before because of the recommendation in the ABA bird finding guide. I was very disappointed to see all the new construction that has gone on in the last two years—and how much more of the area is slated for development. However, the birding was still great. Shannon Road stretches for about four or five blocks and ends in the foothills—there is a well planted center divider running its length. It has all sorts of cactus and other local plants including Palo Verde. It is just chock full of birds. Started out with Mourning Dove and Gila Woodpecker. Then saw the first of I can't tell how many Gambel's Quail. They were all over the place—running through the plants and across the road; some perched and "posed" in the shrubs, chattering to each other as they scurried to and fro. If you ever need a Gambel's Quail fix, this is surely the place to go.
Enjoyed watching a territorial Northern Mockingbird trying to dispossess some Phainopeplas. Added Common Ground Doves to our trip list and Townsend's Warbler. Some other highlights were Canyon Towhee, Curved-billed Thrasher, Verdin, and Cactus Wrens on their nests in the Teddy Bear Cholla—about the prickliest thing you could imagine. We watched as a number of birds took flight and saw the reason—a Cooper's Hawk. We spent about an hour there and saw about 18 species. This is definitely a place to go back to—I just hope they don't mess it up with the development. A rainbow was a nice way to say farewell to Shannon Road.
Then on the museum. This features exhibits on the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert which takes in parts of Mexico and Arizona (and maybe California). Simply a fascinating place. Can't go into details on everything we saw—we spent 5½ hours there, but the walk in Hummingbird exhibit was definitely the highlight. You get so close to these little gems that you can really see them sparkle. Saw a couple of tiny hummingbird nests also. The walk-in "regular" bird exhibit was also great. In the mammal exhibits got to see javelinas and some of exotic cats among other things. While walking around, added Black-tailed Gnatcatcher to my trip list.
After that we went to the West Section of Saguaro National Park. Stopped in the visitor center and watched a presentation—a little about the park, but more about the "sacredness" of nature. I couldn't understand why they raised the screen when the presentation was over because there were curtains behind. Then they opened the curtains to reveal a panorama of saguaros through the picture windows so you could transfer the "sacredness" of the video to the actual landscape. A very moving way to end the show. When the curtains opened, they also revealed rain but that didn't deter us. We drove through the park and admired the scenery but I felt that the Saguaros in Tucson Mountain Park were more impressive.
Got lost a little bit but did find a road back to Tucson. Since it was raining, I was able to plow through some of the dips in the road and removed the mud that was caked on from driving on the muddy roads at Cave Creek Canyon.
Had dinner that night at Rosa's Mexican Restaurant which had been highly recommended by Joan's boss. And deservedly so!
Mt. Lemmon and Home Beginning of the Trip
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