Trip to SE AZ
Joseph j Halpin (halpinj@juno.com)
Tue, 2 Jun 1998 14:56:20 -0400
I am back after a successful 2 week trip to SE Arizona. We met some fine
people and stayed in some interesting places. Interestingly, we bumped
into several people that we met on the Internet. I had set a target of
82 probable new species and came back with 63 lifers, which included 5
rare species for this time of year-Lucifer’s HB, White-eared HB,
Rose-throated Becard, Cassin’s Finch, Five-striped Sparrow, and Lazuli
Bunting. The trip species was 153.
We were in the area 2 weeks and we follow the recommendations in the
Lane/Taylor Guide but found that we did not have enough time to do
everything. For example we bypassed the Kino Springs and most of the
Sulfur Valley, mostly because water fowl were not my primary interest and
the local reports were not favorable.
I did find the people associated with the Tucson Audubon Society very
helpful; I talked with several of them on the phone and they were quite
willing to give specific advice.
What follows is some specific things we learned or did--
We learned about being in a dry climate--dry, itchy skin and nose
bleeding. The locals told us of the saline solution but skin
moisturizers were not enough. We resorted to petroleum jelly, because
our skin became irritated after about a week.
Our stay in Madera Canyon was at the Madera Kubo cabins (#4 unit); this
we found to be close to the Santa Rita Lodge but cheaper and quieter. We
had a one bedroom unit with full kitchen, on the creek, for $135 for 2
nights!
In Portal we stayed at the Myrtle Kraft Cottage, a new duplex, one
bedroom with full kitchen for $75 per night; this unit is within walking
distance of the store and Portal Lodge.
When we were in Patagonia we considered the Stage Stop Inn(?), but while
there we heard several people complain about the place and decided that
Nogales was OK.
We used the Motel 6 in several locations and also took advantage of the
motel coupon books that can be picked up in local restaurants. We
enjoyed the Furr’s Restaurant in Tucson several times; as great value ($6
or less for all you can eat), but requires some restraint.
One of the locals we met on the Internet helped us by taking us into
California Gulch and Garden Canyon. These locations were productive for
us but on the day we went to Schellite Canyon the Spotted Owls were not
found!
While in Portal we bumped into Dave Jasper, a local guide, who was quite
helpful. Stuart Healy, a guide from Sierra Vista, has a very useful and
informative website. The locals suggested the Tue. and Thurs. bird walks
at San Pedro House, the Tue. and Sat. walks by the Tucson Audubon Society
and the walks at Ramsey Canyon that are led by Mark Preti, the Park
Naturalist. The walk at the Patagonia Preserve was not led by a birder
and we left shortly after it started. Only the walks at the San Pedro
house cost ($10).
The cabins in Ramsey Canyon are going to be raised later this year
because of the expense and environmental problems. Their plan is not to
replace them!
If anyone has specific questions about the area, I ask that you
correspond with me directly. Thanks.
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