When The Heart Calls

The road into Portal.  The "V" of the mountain is where we are going.

Over the next several weeks, there will be many magical moments to share from the road.  For now, I am enjoying Arizona and celebrating its last monsoon hurrah!

The temps begin to fade.  And hummingbirds and warblers make their last push back into their wintering grounds.  While I hate to see them go, I am thankful for the much cooler temps that will follow in their wake. 

Horse Lubber

How does one properly say good-bye to these incredibly beautiful birds?  

Mexican Sulphur on Salvia

After this labor day weekend of exploration, a sleeping dragon awoke.  The birding energy begins to grow again. It's September. The year begins to wane.  And the cooler temps will be arriving soon.

At Willow Tank, AZ

I really love all my birding buds.  They are the best.  We motivate each other to do better and keep going.  Had it just been myself at this place, I would have sat down in the middle of the forest in my tent up at Rustler Park and considered hiking:) The park itself is a great place to watch birds.  No need to hike far. But with the buds, we pushed each other to keep it moving.  

Mexican Fox Squirrel

It's easy to get lost in the moment and so before we all knew it, it was time for us to go back home. But what a show!

Green Stink Bug

It had been over two years since my last visit to Portal which has been waaaaaay too long.  I don't know a person who does not love this place. There are two reactions from people when the word "Portal" is mentioned. "Where?" and "I love that place."  That's how remote this little town is. It should be a top 10 must see in the US.  The Chiricahua Mountain range is a sky island that is home to several unique species of reptiles, insects, birds and mammals in the US. No where else in the US can you find these critters. 

I would also mention that the wildlife here outnumbers the human populations.  The residents of Portal love the isolation from the rest of the world.  There is barely any WIFI in the tiny town.  In fact, in most of the places there isn't any connection at all!

Red-tailed Hawk takes flight from the canyon wall

It is easily one of my favorite places in Arizona.  There are comfy lodges and one restaurant:)  Bring a cooler full of goodies just in case:) Also make sure you have enough gas in your car because the nearest station is 19 miles away:)  If you love nature, you'll love Portal.  Until next time friends.....

Blue-throated Hummingbird

"Above the Circle"

  

Portal, Arizona

Welcome to the isolated world of Portal, Arizona.  I ran away from home to escape the urban life for a much needed break. I had indeed found one of the last remaining places on this world mostly untouched by humankind.

Coyote

Well not really isolated when you consider all the incredible animal life around me.  But being the only one of the trails in the darkest forests felt at times eerie.

Mexican Fox Squirrel

I wrote to you all that I wish I could find bears.  And indeed I did but the danger factor was high.  I knew several spots where they were watching me from the bushes and I don't normally feel that "spider sense" on my walks but in Portal I did.  There was an edge of danger to the walks.  In this part of the world, Mountain Lions, Jaguars, and Bears roam freely up and down canyons. I decided that my life was much more important than to get a shot of a bear.  At one point I chased the Elf Owls but stopped when I realized that there was a bear hiding behind a boulder. The Elf Owls can wait.

Mule Deer

Portal is a world protected by desolation. In fact, I had to enter the sandy deserts of New Mexico. I could tell immediately that I had left my beautiful Sonoran desert home.  Not many humans live here and the ones that do consider themselves to be lucky to live "Above the Circle"......those fortunate enough to be surrounded by nature and escape the madness of the human world.  It's a world of quiet, deep reflection and constant exploration.  I think I could like that life:)  Well except for the little inconveniences like not having a gas station nearby.  There was an OLD fashioned one 40 miles away!!!  And all the ATM machines(3 in a 50 mile radius) were blown out by a storm.  It was isolating. So bring cash.

Tarantula

I did attend a lecture by the research station on a wonderfully cold evening.  I will write about the research tomorrow and it again backs up the importance of our sky islands and diversity of life in Arizona.  

Mexican Jays

I found myself on hikes during the day and reading my book during the dark and cold nights sipping coffee.  One night I sat and listened to bird calls on my CD player to help me find all the incredible feathered ones.  And I'll share those finds with you all in two days. Until then, I leave you with this Jay flying off into the Portal skies......