After seeing and photographing the sparrow, we continiued on the Catalina Highway up to Bear Canyon where I saw Acorn Woodpeckers, Pygmy Nuthatches, Spotted Towhees, Bridled Titmice and Yellow-eyed Juncos all for the first time. After a few more quick stops we were at Bear Wallow (beginning of Mount Bigelow Road) where I saw the Mountain Chickadee and Stellars Jays. There are a lot of Ponderosa Pines and some Spruce in this area. We continued up to Ski Valley to watch several Broad-billed and a couple Magnificent Hummingbirds at the bird feeders that were set up at the restaurant. That evening, we went to Saguaro National Park at night where we heard Elf, Western Screech and Great-horned Owls calling. We also saw a tarantula.

DAY 2         8/8/1999

The next morning (Sunday) we got up and drove to Patagonia with a short detour to see burrowing owls.

The Patagonia Rest Area is a great spot. I saw White-throated Swifts, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Canyon Wren and Western Tanager here. I didn't see the Rose-throated Becard here on Sunday but we tried again at the end of the week and caught a brief glimpse of the female coming and going to and from the nest.

We stopped at Mr. Hendrix's house. He has a fantastic hummingbird feeder setup. We saw a Varied Bunting just outside of his yard. Then we went to the Kino Springs Golf Course. We were looking for the Tropical Kingbird but we didn't see one. Better luck tommorrow. We did see Blue-winged Teal and Common Ground Dove here. Soon we were at the Paton's house where I saw Gambel's Quail, a Thick-billed Kingbird and of course the obliging Violet-crowned Hummingbird. A Cooper's Hawk flew after some doves in the yard. After a near hit, he/she (a juvenile) perched just outside the yard for 3 or 4 minutes.

We ended day 2 in Madera Canyon at the Santa Rita Lodge. It was here that I saw my first Blue-throated Hummingbird. A nice sighting but the male Blue-throated kept all other hummingbirds away from the 4 feeders in back of the lodge. Otherwise I might have gotten better views of the Berylline that I glimpsed.

DAY 3         8/9/1999

Monday Morning we started at the San Pedro House. I continued to pick up lifers with the advent of an Abert's Towhee and a Lazuli Bunting in the fields en route to the ponds. Soon a Botterii's Sparrow was singing. Eventually it was found and seen quite well with my scope.

Next we stopped at the Sierra Vista Sewage Treatment Plant where we picked up Yellow-headed Blackbirds, some more Teal and heard a Sora. Then it was off to Fort Huachuca to bird Garden and Scheelite Canyons. There I got Black-Headed Grosbeaks, Hepatic Tanager, Red-faced Warblers, Painted Redstart, and Virginia's Warbler. A great afternoon.

We left Fort Huachuca and continued on to the Beatty's Bed and Breakfast. I picked up Band-tailed Pigeons here as well as the expected White-eared Hummingbird. On the way back to Tucson, the Rain poured buckets.

DAY 4         8/10/1999

Tuesday morning Our destination was the Chiricahuas. We made a brief stop at the twin lakes in Willcox. The water was so high that we couldn't get out to where we needed to go without wading through large puddles. White Ibis, yellowlegs sp., and an Avocet were all seen at great distances.

We finally got to the Chiracahuas after seeing many Lark Buntings, Loggerhead Shrikes and Roadrunners in New Mexico along Rt. 80. We stopped at the "Big Thicket" and watched birds at Dave Jasper's feeder. Nothing new here today but tommorrow's visit was to yield another Bell's Vireo and a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher.

We checked into our campsite, set up our tents and began preparing dinner. We had several dinner guests including Blue-throated Hummingbird,
Mexican Jays , Acorn Woodpeckers, a male Coati (coatimundi), 2 skunks and a racoon. I also saw a male Elegant Trogon and the trip's only Strickland's Woodpecker here at Stewart Campground.

DAY 5         8/11/1999

Wednesday was a day to explore the Chiricahuas. We started out at the Spofford's feeders. I took a number of photos here.

We went to Barfoot Park and Rustler Park. The birding was pretty slow but I got the Mexican Chickadee (the Chiricahuas are the easiest and one of only two places to get this species in North America). Later I picked up a Juniper Titmouse at the George Walker House and some Black-chinned Sparrows along the Paradise Road.

DAY 6         8/12/1999

Thursday morning we stopped again in Portal and scored on the Lucifer Hummingbird before leaving for the White Mountains. Technically we were no longer in Southeastern Arizona. Most of the day was spent travelling but I did get to look briefly at an Eared Grebe at the Luna Lake Campground before the light was gone.

DAY 7         8/13/1999

Friday was our one day to try for some Rocky Mountain Zone specialties. I picked up Western Meadowlark, American Dipper, Clarks Nutcracker, Townsend's Solitaire, Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Western and Mountain Bluebirds and an Evening Grosbeak. Then a long drive back to Tucson.

DAY 8         8/14/1999

Saturday already and I have not yet seen any of the SE Arizona hawks. We had seen little else besides Swainson's and Red-tails and a glimpse of a Peregrine Falcon. Today was the day for hawks.

We started out with a visit to Catalina State Park. I had hoped to see a Crissal Thrasher. On day 4, I heard what I am 90 % sure was the call note near Big Thicket but I didn't count the bird. We never did see one.

We went to Aravaipa Canyon to look for the Common Black Hawk, gave up, ate lunch and went to Winkelman. We saw the Mississippi Kite at the Golf Course without even trying very hard. We visited Dudleyville briefly and promptly returned to Aravaipa Canyon to try again. Bill was scrutinizing a group of Turkey Vultures while I sat in the car looking at my field guide. Suddenly, he started pointing up at the Vultures (I didn't have to guess at what ... I knew). After watching the Zone-tailed Hawk for 5 or 10 minutes we spotted a Common Black-Hawk moving from one perch to another. What a great way to end the day.

DAY 9         8/15/1999

Sunday was for playing catch up. Back to the Catalina Highway and up as far as Bear Wallow again for Warblers. Got the Black-throated Gray, Graces, Olive and an Orange-crowned Warbler for my troubles. Then we drove down to Patagonia again and scored on the Rose-throated Becard. Then back to Tucson and eventually Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for my 12:30 am Sunday departure (ouch). Overall it was a wonderful trip and I had the time of my life.