This year has been the year of exploration in the Huachuca mountains. They say your first two years of birding are the most exciting and this has only been my first year really attempting to bird. But to be honest, I don't just bird. Do any of us really? If there's a cool shot, don't we always try to take it? Todays focus is on the beautiful Ash Canyon outside of Sierra Vista. At the entrance to this gravel road, we were greeted by lots of deer.
At Mary Jo's garden, you'll find lots of hummers gracing her wildflowers.
Or see the Acorn Woodpeckers eyeing up all the food she provides on her property.
Lots of territorial disputes. The hummers have a hard time sharing:)
But no one seems to notice the Nuthatch going up and down and upside down around the mesquite. This bird makes me smile. Clever!
There are many canyons in the Huachuca Mountains. I've only been to 4 of them. Each unique and exciting AND full of different critters. Ash Canyon is brighter and sunnier so wear a cap, sunscreen, and have some good hiking boots. There is so much more to explore!
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We have the Nuthatch here. They spend their lives upside down as well.
ReplyDeleteThis should be a wonderful place to chill out and connect with nature; deers, hummers, woodpeckers, nuthatch and their antics.
ReplyDeleteLooks a wonderful place for wildlife. Love the first deer photo :)
ReplyDeleteI love the Deer in the first shot, and I do love the creeping of the Nuthatch, it is superb.
ReplyDeleteAsh Canyon sounds like a great place to see the birds and the critters. Love the deer shots and the cute hummers at battle. The Acorn woodie is on my must see list. Great post, Chris! Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos. Looking forward to your next year of exploration. And on and on and on.... tracy
ReplyDeleteKeep exploring and sharing with us! It's such a beautiful place to see.
ReplyDeleteI really hope when your readers look at your images they take the time to enlarge them Chris, so worth the time. These little birds are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great place to explore, certainly lots going on your great pics :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat place to roam around. I need to visit Tucson more. Lots to see there I haven't yet.
ReplyDeletethe nuthatch definitely made me smile, too. love all these beauties around.
ReplyDeleteCanyon exploring is fun with such lovely wildlife and flowers. I love the upside-down bird.
ReplyDeleteYoko
I didn't realize you are as new to birding as I am. I sure hope the excitement continues longer than just one more year. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling it won't stop after a year. I think we've found an addiction that will last a lifetime:)
DeleteSorry, the birds are nice, but.....is that a wild Agastache in the 2nd-to-last photo? Very nice!
ReplyDeleteYou know:) You're right....the plants are just as big as their critter counterparts. I sometimes assume that people know what the plants are but I need to label better:) It's not wild however, but it requires little maintenance. She only uses plants that are for her specific area and that will attract butterflies and hummers. The Agastache was a winner on the day of this photo shoot with all the birds and bugs. So was the Salvia. Wonderful plants. I'm getting better ideas about placing this kind of garden into our place once the main ones are settled.
DeleteAgastache here is sun or shade, but in the shade needs little water...here, 3000' higher than you. Might not even take the heat in Tucson? I hear it doesn't in El Paso, but I don't know for sure if enough have been tried to really know...
DeleteI wouldn't try it here in Tucson as it would fry. Even with the heat. But Ash Canyon is at a higher altitude and these plants were under almost full shade from the mesquites above. I'm working with Turk's Cap right now and having some success in full shade under our oaks so I'm hopeful I can place some more of these around our area for the hummers.
DeleteA beautiful place to while away the hours snapping photos. I love those hummingbirds! We have lived here 13 years and I am still finding and exploring hiking that is within walking distance.
ReplyDeleteGreat spotting! Lucky you. :-)
ReplyDeleteThose crazy nuthatches always make me smile walking down the trees. Nice to find a hobby that makes you happy.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful place! I love all of the photos. Very nice Chris!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, love them all. You got some great action hummer pics, the deer are gorgeous and the nuthatches always make me smile.
ReplyDeleteCo jeden to piękniejszy ptak, a kowalik dostanie chyba zawrotów głowy :). Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteWhat one is a beautiful bird, a nuthatch probably get dizzy :). Yours.
I love your shots with the hummers and the flowers. I appreciate that feeders are often in the photos of these beauties, but I like the more natural look. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTerrific photos! Beautiful deer!! That nuthatch is interesting and very different looking from the one that frequents our birdfeeder here in Mass.
ReplyDeleteChris, the pictures get better and better. These are really nice. I like them all!
ReplyDeletelooks like a wonderful place to wander...all the wildlife...and so much to see!! LOVE the deer! and all the little birds...those in flight pictures you get are fantastic!! so hard to do!!
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