After a rough and hot summer, my tires needed changing. And so they were changed so that we could begin our hike up to Miller Canyon.
The road was rocky and bumpy from the monsoon rains. I was held back for several weeks as I didn't want to risk blowing a tire out on the road without cell phone or OnStar help. I do know how to change tires but the unevenly graded road would make it difficult if that event happened.
And so our epic hike would begin up the Miller Canyon in search of the mighty Spotted Owls. It was eery quiet but incredibly beautiful. The Beatty's have a wonderful property and I appreciate the fact that they allow birders to explore the hummingbirds, owls and all the other fun wildlife. 5 dollars is needed per person to help with the hummingbird juice.
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| Painted Lady Butterfly |
The hike was rugged. The bugs were bad during this time. The stream was running. And the wildflowers were in full force. Absolutely magical.
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| Checkered White Butterfly |
We ascended the creek bed in search of the owls. It was incredibly awesome as we stumbled over rocks. By the time we found the solitary owl in the dark and quiet woods, we were exhausted from the heat.
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| Checkerspot Butterfly-Miller Canyon |
Thank goodness for Pat. The owl was so still that it was difficult to find....until the calm swiveled head turned towards me. "Chris! Chris!" whispered Pat loudly. And then I fell on the boulder below and watched the bird for many moments. What a beautiful owl! And he was very close to us.
Along the way, we saw some incredible butterflies, hummingbirds, and strange sounding birds:)
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| House Finch |
It was green green green. Miller, like the other canyons of the Huachucas, is incredibly different from the rest. In fact, some canyons host certain kinds of birds and animals that can't be found anywhere else in Southern Arizona. That's how unique each ecosystem is for each of the canyons!
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| Helmeted Guinea Fowl |
We watched rain fall down upon the grasslands surrounding the military city of Sierra Vista. From above, the city actually looks beautiful:)
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| Funeral Dusky Wing Butterfly |
Our journey to the top was wonderful. The hike was great and so were the finds. I had many "lifers" here which made it a great day overall:) More journeys into Southern Arizona coming. And they are incredible! It has been an extremely exciting time of finds. This owl sums up the joy and excitement I get from the journey both in travel, wildlife trekking, and gardening. That's when I decided to change my headlining picture for Las Aventuras. Stay tuned for so much more:)
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| Spotted Owl, Miller Canyon |
Posts
A great trip and odd that your Painted lady is so similar to the ones we have here. Not that I've seen one this year.
ReplyDeleteWOW, very cool. Love the Spotted owl, is this the endangered spotted owl? The butterflies are lovely. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteIt is. I'm so sorry I didn't write back to you right away this morning as I have this thing called a job which get in the way of all this fun:) I didn't even have a clue until you mentioned the word endangered. It's threatened here but in other parts of North American in British Colombia, it said to be extinct from the area(due to logging) in just a matter of a couple years. It was a little hard to read. This owl, like all of the owls, are majestic creatures.
DeleteIt's always a thrill to see an owl!! And even more of a thrill when you've worked so hard to get there!! Great shots!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Chris. Sounds like a fabulous place - and I just love that owl!
ReplyDelete:) You get all the owls in flight and have so many amazing owls.....I'm lucky to spot one every so often:) I'll try to better because there are many more that are here....just haven't found them yet:)
DeleteWhat a lovely series of photos and what a great adventure. I felt I was there with you - I love the way your enthusiasm and enjoyment shines through :)
ReplyDeleteA grand post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteYou got some great shots. Wouldn't want an Owl in the neighborhood, but they are fascinating in photos.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
I also would have been excited if I had seen such a beautiful owl,...I'm still trying to capture one near us.!! Great series of photos.
ReplyDeletePreciosas Chris.. Sobre todo ese maravilloso Búho.. Me encantan.. Un cordial saludo..
ReplyDeleteDla mnie sowa jest cudowna, ale motyle, ptaki i wiewiórka też. Miałeś wspaniałą wycieczkę. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the owl is wonderful, but the butterflies, birds and a squirrel. You had a great trip. Yours.
What a great looking owl - strange how it is sitting in the open.
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks for linking to WBW.
Stewart M - Australia
Such great photos of such a great bird! I'm so glad you saw it Chris. That Spotted Owl is definitely unfinished business for me there in Miller Canyon.
ReplyDeleteLaurence, I began to read about this bird. I had no idea it was threatened! A bit of an eye opener today as I had been doing some reading on this owl. Definitely an owl of an old growth forest.
DeleteYou got some wonderful photos on this trip Chis. Very nice!
ReplyDeletethe owl is truly beautiful. love the pearl crescents, too. your joy comes shining through. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a journey Chris, it sounds as if it was rewarding in so many more ways than just the fabulous images. Sometimes we need these special times to renew our faith in the universe oui!
ReplyDeleteLove the Owl Chris and some lovely butterflies too.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fantatsic hike Chris, love the Owl :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful hike you had - seeing so many beautiful sights. That owl looks amazing - I've never seen one close up before. Your pictures are all amazing. Looking forward to your next tale. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing hike. Sounds great. I was very surprised at the guinea. Are they as noisy as the domesticated ones?
ReplyDeleteThey were extremely noisy! I think they are domesticated on his property as they were within a foot of us and didn't seem too scared. I had never seen these birds before....very interesting and loud:)
DeleteFunny sleeping owl!)))
ReplyDeleteso cute!
Have a nice day!
xoxo, Juliana
[pjhappies.blogspot.com]
I don't know what to say. It's all magnificent. The owl of course and I love the scrawny little bird.
ReplyDeleteHi There, We have a VERY busy weekend since my son is getting married..... Should be TERRIFIC.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great hike... Glad you saw so many critters and "lifers" for you.... Great photos.
Betsy
Miller Canyon looks lushly green. Nice sightings.
ReplyDeleteI wondered about your header shot and now know where it came from. Its a lovely looking owl, part of a wonderful day out on your trek. A very good five dollars worth I'd say.
ReplyDeleteYour owl looks like the wise man at the top of the mountain and it sounds like the journey to see him was just as arduous, from the tires to the bugs, from the rocky climb to the heat, but you made it and met him, so it was all worth it!
ReplyDeletei LOVE the owl!! it's no wonder he has taken up residence on your blog!! beautiful!! and the butterflies too!
ReplyDeleteawesome pictures!!
I have hiked the Grand Canyon twice....many years ago. Alas, my hiking days are over! Is there a way to get up at least part way to Miller Canyon? Could you email me with some advice on a trip we could make by car (and with little short jaunts into the woods) I hate that my knees are shot--they are kind've like your tires! :-) But I don't want to replace them yet! :-)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures! I very much want to see Miller Canyon!