Saturday, October 13, 2012

Empire Ranch

Kestrel
In search of a bathroom before our trek, we explored a new spot at the Empire Ranch.  Old buildings stood near a strip of forested land.  As we got close to the buildings on the gravel road, Kathie and I noticed lots of bird activity.  What would we find flying around this area?
Kestrel
Well there were lots of birds to see, but it was amazing to find quite a bit of activity happening around this old property.
I jumped out to find a Barn Owl or two but this Northern Red Shafted Flicker(below) caught my attention with its amazing red wings while in flight.  This is one hot bird!  Look at the design.  I didn't get it in flight  but that was pretty spectacular as well.
Northern Red Shafted Flicker
Huge kingbird activity on this day.  Kathie had her notebook and wrote things down.  I had my camera and shot billions of pics.  The difference? She documents and I snap:)
Kingbird Action!
And while around the property of old buildings, we stopped at several and it was cool.  But we also kept our eyes out for snakes inside the abandoned buildings.
Imagine redoing a property like this and making home in a beautiful grassland area.  I'd love to have lots of money to do things like this.  There is a lot of work that would have to be done to restore these buildings and old ranch but it's still nice to dream:)
I don't know why I love this light fixture so much but I do.  I think it reminds me of the old glass that my grandparents used to have in their homes.  Before my Grandmother passed away, she told me that she wanted me to have her china.   It sits back home waiting for me to bring it back to Arizona.  There is a train ride in my future to collect these antiques.
So while this house was abandoned, we both explored all the little nooks and crannies around the property and took a break from the heat.
Eventually we made it outside and did more walking around watching all the bird action going on.  And there was lots to see.
The problem is that I didn't know where to point the camera.  There was action on the ground, air and on the buildings.  And not all of it birds.
Canyon Towhee
There were these brilliant flashing red grasshoppers.....the large Lubbers all about.  Really quite beautiful.
Horse Lubber Grasshopper


So there are two special shoots that happened that I felt needed their own posts coming in the next several days.  One relates to nesting Barn Swallows(pretty amazing) and the Sonoran Pronghorn.  You won't want to miss these as Kathie and I continue our journey through the incredible grasslands of Cienagas near Sonoita.  More tomorrow....

15 comments:

  1. Another wonderful day of birds, bugs and a very cool old ranch house.

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  2. To miałeś moc wrażeń na tej wyciecze. Piękne ptaki i ich wspaniałe zdjęcia w locie, oraz opuszczone i ciekawe domy. Pasikonik też ma świetne zdjęcie. Pozdrawiam.
    It had the power of impressions on the excursions. Beautiful birds and great photos on the fly, and abandoned houses and interesting. Grasshopper also has a great picture. Yours.

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  3. Great outing with Kathie! Looks like you two saw a lots of birds and other critters too. Great shots, I love the Flickers and the cute lizard. Have a great weekend!

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  4. Love the variety of wildlife you are seeing on your trips :) It would be nice to have the money and buy renovate the property with all the wildlife on your door step :)

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  5. Very interesting photos and commentary Chris!

    I hope you have a great weekend. It is raining here.

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  6. i've seen a red-shafted flicker here a few times! very exciting as at first i didn't realize it was different than the yellow-shafted. :)

    love that last shot!!

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  7. I love that light fixture too!! I didn't know there were red grashoppers! Wow... What a great trip you're on :)

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  8. Interesting post, lovely shots too, really like the Lubber, look forward to the next one :-)

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  9. the abandoned ranch house still has its carpet?!

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  10. Nice touring with you today. That living room looks in good shape.

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  11. You know, I would like to live in an old house and leave many things JUST as they are...like the hanging light fixture with the wiring showing, the flooring all cracked and green colored. I think it would be AWESOME!!!!!

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  12. Chirs, nice story and great pics. I am glad you got some of the interior of the building. What fun we had!

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  13. OMG! The shot of the grasshopper rocks! Wonderful.

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