Boy it was cold this morning – we awoke to about 37 degrees!! So I begged off on the hike. We got to one of the in town bird feeding stations at Dave Jaspers at 8:15. There are a number of public bird feeder stations around Portal – in fact they are marked on the map that everyone hands out. Donation boxes sit out, and we see many people popping $1 in them for the bird feed, and indeed they probably spend that much, filling the sugar water, sunflower seeds, finch flax, corn, etc times a day. Often someone from the house out and sit, and point out birds too, which is extra fun. We saw 2 NEW hummers today: the Lucifer (he didnt look that evil, but is the only humming bird here with a curved bill) and the tiny Calliope.
Then we set out on the south fork walk – described as an easy one mile to the bathtub, which is just a place where the stream is deeper and the bounders large.
just likely spots – which in fact was anywhere along the walk and especially around the sycamore trees. We enjoyed the lovely Painted Redstarts (which remind me of one trip to England, where every article of clothing was black, white, and red), and also found a new Dusky Flycatcher (you can tell they are flycatchers because they perch and then whizz off for a snack and return back to the same perch usually), and also a Gray Warbler.
We chatted briefly to at least 6 people, many of whom were NOT birders. They just like the views and the exercise. One lady from Virginia said she hikes every year a short section of the Appalachian Trail with a friend who is an ornithologist, who points out every migrating warbler, but she forgets it till the next year. I can relate to that!
We also chatted to a volunteer at the visitor center who said people who rely on Merlin and other apps to identify birds are stunting their hypocampus (spelling?) – instead they should be struggling the way to learn to identify birds. OK. I would say we mostly use the books and read the
details, but it sure is fun when David submits a photo to Merlin and it identifies it for us. Hallelujah!
It took us about 2 hours to go that one mile!!! We crossed the stream at 5 points, using stepping stone rocks, and I was glad to have my hiking sticks for balance. David was more challenged with no poles but carrying his big lens. We got as far as the Bath Tub pictured, and then turned around and came back in half the time. Its not possible to walk really quickly in any rate, because of the many stones underfoot. Nothing like the soft grounds of Ohio or PA trails. The Sycamores along the creekbed were lovely, as were the red rocks on both sides.
After our hike we were very peckish (should remember to carry bars with us and not just water) so we returned to the Portal Caf and split a guacamole bacon burger. Yum.
I had started the hike with my long sleeves, vest, and windbreaker but quickly tied the jacket around my waist. Sitting at the caf under a bit of shade it was a little chilly again – like a perfect
Back to the chase – back to 2 of the feeding stations, especially as the light would be different. Just fyi, there were people already at each. Its helpful to have more eyes to point out the birds that flit in and out. We got a photo of a Towhee after someone pointed it out.
David had promised me time at the Chiricahua Desert Museum, but we didnt get there till 45 mins before closing, so just walked thru the extensive gift shop. Sadly, only quail fridge magnets and not the little wooden or pottery ones Ive been admiring. Guess Amazon through for me again, but it wont be the same. The lady at the shop was the painter of the amazing (and big) oils on the walls – storms above the red rocks, sunsets, etc. We vowed to go back with more time for the museum.
Its an interesting set up there – a museum, a gift shop, an events center (and considering we havent seen a church, let along a fellowship hall), and campsite.
