On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Thanks to the couple of folks who sent in posts!
Albatrossity
In March Elizabeth and I took a road trip to southeastern Arizona, since it was her spring break time and also her birthday, to go see some different landscapes and some different birds. There is also something about a long road trip, at least for me, that clears your mind and helps you stay a bit more grounded in these days of turbulence and uncertainty. Even more importantly, spending quality time with your beloved in a warm and scenic spot after a challenging winter season can reboot your mood and outlook quite successfully. So here are some pics from that trip, with more to come in the coming weeks.
Here’s a map of the route we took, for those of you who are fans of maps and geography. Our first night was in Clayton NM, a tiny burg just past the TX/NM border. Second night was in Silver City NM, an old mining town with lots of mine tailing piles to prove it. That brought us close to our final destination, Cave Creek Ranch near Portal AZ, and we could dawdle, so we went to the Chiricahua National Monument first, before heading over the Chiricahuas on a notoriously bad road, Pinery Canyon Road, aka Forest Service Road 42. We had an interesting adventure on that road, but that’s not what you are here for. Let’s get to the pictures!
There were, surprisingly, lots of people at Chiricahua National Monument. It is some distance from any major population centers, and it was Monday, but the place was hopping! Geology and hiking are the main reasons for visiting this destination, and although we didn’t hike, the geology was worth the trip. Pinnacles of rhyolite (compacted volcanic ash) are everywhere, and lots of these weathered formations have whimsical names like “Sea Captain” and “Glowing Cloud”. If you ever find yourself in the vicinity of Tucson or Sierra Vista, you might consider a day trip to this place. Click here for larger image.
One of the formations in the upper reaches of the monument is named “Cochise Head”. And indeed, it looks like a side view of a reclining human figure, rendered in a unique medium, rhyolite. Click here for larger image.
The madrone bushes at one of the scenic overlooks along the paved road harbored some insects, including this butterfly sheltering from the cool breeze. The identity of this butterfly remains undetermined, but hopefully some of the experts at Butterflies and Moths of North America will chime in eventually! Click here for larger image.
Our cabin was basically a studio apartment, with kitchen, dining area, bedroom, bathroom and sitting area (with a fireplace!), but it had a great view. This is what we saw as we sat out on the back deck, sipping our coffee and wrapped in our warm jackets or blankets. First light on the pinnacles of Cave Creek Canyon, freshening spring cottonwoods, and a sycamore just yearning for more heat and summer light. Click here for larger image.
The creek, which is basically a few dozen feet from the back door of the cabin, was dry, In fact, the entire landscape was unusually dry, judging from comments we got from lots of the locals during our time there. But there was a small pool of water, visible from our deck, and one of the visitors who came for a drink was a Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). Elizabeth’s favorite bird! Click here for larger image.
On our first morning there a small group of javelinas (Tayassu tajacu) came through the yard, looking for spilled seed from the bird feeders. One of them was this adorable youngster. Yes, I know that folks who live in javelina country are not convinced that any of them are adorable, since they can quickly destroy a lawn or garden. But here, in their native element, they are a delight to see. Click here for larger image.
One of the star attractions of this part of Arizona is the Rivoli’s Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens). Large and colorful, they would attract attention anywhere. Formerly these were called Magnificent Hummingbirds, but they have been split from the very similar Talamanca Hummingbird which we saw in Costa Rica in May 2024. Click here for larger image.
There are lots of bird feeders at this place, offering seeds, suet, sugar water, and even grape jelly. One of the suet feeders was popular with this Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre). Breakfast of champions, for sure. Click here for larger image.
I have shared images of Acorn Woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) here several times, but since I don’t seem to get tired of them or their antics, I hope you will indulge yet another shot. This one is perched on a dead stump that functions as a granary, where woodpeckers like this one stash acorns (or other food) in anticipation of the lean and hungry times. Click here for larger image.
The final image today is another woodpecker, the Arizona Woodpecker (Dryobates arizonae). It is aptly named, at least for US birders, since its range is confined to a small patch of southeastern AZ, a tiny (but mostly inaccessible) corner of New Mexico, and a lot more acreage in Mexico’s Sierra Madre! Formerly Strickland’s Woodpecker, it is the only North American woodpecker that is brown-and-white rather than black-and-white. Click here for larger image.
Donatellonerd
thank you, lovely birds and geology. we’re here for the adventure too, please.
Kim Walker
Beautiful pictures – especially the hummingbird and the javelina family. We had a surprise guest yesterday taking refuge from the freezing rain. It looked to be a broad-shouldered hawk (it was smallish) sitting on the front step of our small apartment building. It sat there for a while until my neighbor came home from work and bird flew up to the overhead wire and then left on it’s way.
Wanderer
Great photos as always. Did you bring the bird seed and hummingbird nectar or did your rental supply it. Either way such a great idea.
JeanneT
I can see why Elizabeth loves the Hermit Thrush – that photo just makes it look like it has personality plus. Nice!
Trivia Man
Great variety today
Those ricks ate very reminiscent of Bryce, just a different color.
Betty
And we learn something new again from Albatrossity – such a thing as a brown and white woodpecker. Gorgeous hummingbird!
SteveinPHX
Thanks! Been to Chiricahua National Monument several times. I was in Portal last fall. Acorn Woodpeckers abounded! Have never seen the AZ woodpecker before. Thank you!
stinger
Happy birthday, Elizabeth! Nice of the planet to gift you with a Hermit Thrush!
Albatrossity, I think your photos have gotten better over the years–the crisp detail is fantastic!
I feel the same way about raccoons that javelina country residents do about javelinas.
Albatrossity
@Wanderer: Bird seed was supplied in the room, and we filled a tray feeder on the back deck every morning. The seeds that the birds knocked out of the feeder were found by the javelinas and the chipmunks; the latter also parked their butts in the feeder and filled their cheeks with more seeds than they could eat in a day!
Albatrossity
@SteveinPHX: Yeah, the Arizona Woodpecker is not common, but this female was a pretty regular visitor to the feeders there. Unfortunately there was one birder who was there specifically to see that species, and it did not show up while she was watching. I guess she has a good reason to come back and try again!
Xavier
Where is Vladimir Nabokov when you need him? He would have been familiar with that butterfly.
MCat
Thank you once again for the marvelous photos. I had never heard of a javelina. They’re really cute! And I always love the birds.
Chat Noir
The detail on your photos is amazing!
Burrowing Owl
Albatrossity, thank you as always for the birds. Do you have a favorite bird as well?
Winter Wren
Great pictures! I’d love to go back again to the sky islands south of Phoenix – one visit is clearly not enough!
StringOnAStick
I have a birdfeeder question. I’ve read that suet is actually fairly new to the bird feeding world, and the author was adamant that it’s not good to feed it because its too greasy and birds end up with gummed up feathers from getting it on themselves. What say you? The local flickers and woodpeckers seem to love it.
pieceofpeace
All these photos are interesting, especially the javalinas. And you excel with your photography of birds as we all know and appreciate. The Acorn Woodpecker – did he put those ‘storage holes’ in the wood next to him/her? We have an upright rock profile of an American Indian near Bishop (currently undergoing a big-bad fire) in large rock formation near the main road.
Thanks for these…
Albatrossity
@Burrowing Owl: My favorite bird is, of course, the Wandering Albatross!
@StringOnAStick: Suet on feathers is not a problem; birds are quite good at preening those feathers and removing anything that does not belong there.
Mike S. (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!)
@Albatrossity: I’m late to the show today, but great pics!
I think the “butterfly” at #2 is a moth, but the BAMONA people should still be able to ID it for you, although there are a lot more moths, so it may take longer.
Albatrossity
@Mike S. (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!): Well, it’s possible that is a moth, I suppose. It is a fuzzy critter, but lots of montane butterfly species have a lot of moth-like fuzziness. Can you tell me what other characteristics say “moth” to you?
Albatrossity
@Mike S. (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!): Yeah, I think it might be this one, and it is a moth! Thanks!
Don L
Donald Trump is demanding we call javelinas, American peccaries.