Esplanade Trail Owl Checkup Photoset • tibber • 2021-04-22 • HikeArizona.COM

Esplanade Trail Owl Checkup, AZ

	2021-04-22
	14 by tibber

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Esplanade Trail Owl Checkup, AZ

Hiking	5.15 Miles	193 AEG

Hiking	5.15 Miles	1 Hour 40 Mns	3.29 mph
	193 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Apache Wash Loop - Sonoran Preserve North

Esplanade Trail - Sonoran Preserve North

Partners

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no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

I was excited to be able to do a late afternoon hike. My mission: check on the owls and see if momma was at Nest 1 since I haven't seen her on any of my visits since March 30th. I hadn't done a hike per se since last week's Tuesday so this is a nice warmer-upper. On my way there were quite a few squirrels and a couple lizards. I also saw 3 human couples before I reached the junction with the Esplanade Trail. There was a nice tail breeze which actually had cool air so that was very nice.

At the first nest, no mom. I was able to get a few pictures and they seem to have grown a little. I just think it's odd mom is not around but the other nests I visit the mom is around. I thot maybe if I went in the afternoon I might see her. Needless to say, I hope the owlets are okay. I mean they're still alive and such and I can't tell if they look worse for wear or not.

I continued onto the next nest looking forward to seeing the newest of the owlets. Fortunately they were up and mom was with them. I talked to them like a proud mama myself. They are definitely bigger than a week ago. I grabbed some photos and headed back with another stop at the first nest. The owlets had changed position but still no mom.

A few saguaros have budded out and I saw one bloom. A few buckhorn chollas were also blooming. The breeze on the way back was delightful and I said hello to a rabbit near the trailhead that I've seen before.... well at least in the same area. I only encountered two bike riders the whole hike. Sure like the tread of these trails.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Buckhorn cholla

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Great Horned Owl Round-Tailed Ground Squirrel

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cag Shot

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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.

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