Madera Canyon spring migration Photoset • burntlizard • 2013-05-03 • HikeArizona.COM

Madera Canyon spring migration, AZ

	2013-05-03
	12 by burntlizard

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Madera Canyon spring migration, AZ

Birding	4.00 Miles	450 AEG

Birding	4.00 Miles	6 Hrs		0.67 mph
	450 ft AEG		10 LBS Pack

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Well - this trip has been planned since January and I was anticipating it for weeks. I woke up at 0300 and headed down the highway - although, I was greatly concerned once I left my home in North Phoenix, the wind was stiff out of the East and getting worse. In fact, by the time I got down to Maricopa, the highway signs said dust storm alert....Great!

Well, I pushed on, listening to my new "the very best of the Eagles" double CD and Rush's Hold your Fire album, a great oldie from 1987

When I approached the Madera Canyon exit around 0545 it was really windy, I'm guessing Easterly at 15-25 and very dusty - shoot me now :tt:

Oddly, by the time I got to Proctor road it was nearly calm :y:

and I was blessed by two stunning Summer Tanagers basking in the morning sun! This is going to be an epic day..... and it was. In fact, I saw and photographed 3 Tanager species in one day - this is an awesome accomplishment

I'm really drawn to this area - the solitude and natural beauty are second to none. I relish in the fact, that this range is an extension of the Sierra Madre and one can only find these "Sky Islands" in a few select locations - the amount of rare flora and fauna appeal to my sole and add a certain amount of natural therapy to my life. I hope everyone can experience this natural wonder in their lifetime....I'm sad that it has taken me 41 years to find it.

Good day!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Elegant Trogon Greater Pewee Hepatic Tanager House Wren Lark Sparrow Pacific-Slope Flycatcher Plumbeous Vireo Summer Tanager Western Tanager

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