Getting There is Half the Fun

Cyndi and I recently took a trip to southeastern Arizona, to see a new place and to experience the many birds that can only be found there within the United States. Some birds live in Central America and Mexico and the very northern edge of their range brings a very few of them to Arizona and Texas. For instance there is only one species of hummingbird east of the Mississippi River (the Ruby-throated), but in southeastern Arizona as many as 14 have been seen over the years.

We drove. It was a long drive. By the time we returned home we had gone over 2,500 miles. All along the way we enjoyed looking at how the geology and plant life changed (as well as the birds, of course).

We first headed for Utah, and before we crossed the Idaho border we stopped where the Juniper trees grow and saw birds both familiar and new.

The Brewer's Blackbird can be found throughout Idaho, but this one posed beautifully in the sun.

The Juniper Titmouse has a limited range in Idaho. I saw them once before in California, but this was the first time I found one in Idaho!

We spent a night at the home of Cyndi's brother, then continued south, passing through some amazing Utah scenery on the way.

After dark we arrived at the Grand Canyon's south rim, where we camped for the night. In the morning we awoke to the view that so many travel so far to marvel at. This was my first time to see it.

Flitting around the treetops, below us in the Grand Canyon was this Black-throated Gray Warbler.

Though we greatly enjoyed seeing the canyon and the birds in the National Park, we continued on to our destination, Madera Canyon and the Santa Rita Lodge, which is known for the hummingbirds and wildlife and hiking trails to be found nearby.