I used to live in that part of AZ. White water Draw is a great place for birding. For photography it is hard to beat Chiricahua National Monument. You might also enjoy the John Slaughter Ranch near the Mexico border. The Ramsey Canyon Preserve near Sierra Vista is also worth visiting.
Personally, I live in Green Valley year around, and would not suggest spending your money on a Spring trip to SE Arizona if your interest is in bird photography. July and August are the best months for seeing and photographing Southern Arizona specialties.
The easiest way to plan your trip is to purchase a copy of Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona from the Tucson Audubon Society, you can find it on their web site. When you check the "Seasonal Bar Graphs" you will see that Spring is not the most exciting season.
My personal recommendations include:
Madera Canyon: Accommodations in Green Valley or (suggested) one of the B&Bs located in the canyon.
Patagonia Arizona, accommodations available in Patagonia. Sites include Patton's, hummingbirds and Sonita Creek Preserve.
Sierra Vista: Ramsey Canyon Preserve, hummingbirds, hummingbirds and more hummingbirds. Has been a good place for Elegant Trogons.
Portal Arizona, Cave Creek: Accommodations available in Portal. Best single area, I believe, for the largest number of specialty birds, ease of access and photographic opportunities.
Curmudgeon wrote:
Personally, I live in Green Valley year around, and would not suggest spending your money on a Spring trip to SE Arizona if your interest is in bird photography. July and August are the best months for seeing and photographing Southern Arizona specialties.
The easiest way to plan your trip is to purchase a copy of Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona from the Tucson Audubon Society, you can find it on their web site. When you check the "Seasonal Bar Graphs" you will see that Spring is not the most exciting season.
My personal recommendations include:
Madera Canyon: Accommodations in Green Valley or (suggested) one of the B&Bs located in the canyon.
Patagonia Arizona, accommodations available in Patagonia. Sites include Patton's, hummingbirds and Sonita Creek Preserve.
Sierra Vista: Ramsey Canyon Preserve, hummingbirds, hummingbirds and more hummingbirds. Has been a good place for Elegant Trogons.
Portal Arizona, Cave Creek: Accommodations available in Portal. Best single area, I believe, for the largest number of specialty birds, ease of access and photographic opportunities.
Personally, I live in Green Valley year around, an... (
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THIS is great information; very helpful; thank you, very much - Ed
https://www.arizonabirder.com/2016/01/sulphur-springs-valley-8/Will give you some hi-lights-
Madera Cyn has lots of hummers + other birds and a bit of other wildlife if you can catch it- Green Valley is close for motels- It really is only a day of viewing or two at the most- May not be worth your time unless you have the time to play!!
Ed Chu wrote:
Thinking about heading to SE AZ. this spring: Madeira Canyon, Whitewater Draw, etc; someone posted some pics recently from Whitewater Draw; if anyone has experience shooting birds, could you please post some info about hotels, etc. to use as a "base point." good times to go, some good shooting locations EWtc?
My brother lived in Tucson a few years ago and we stayed with him. In that immediate area, Saguaro National Park had a lot of birds, especially woodpecker varieties and owls who use holes in the cactus. Keep a sharp eye and you can see them peeping out to check before exiting. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum has captive birds, of course, and a couple of demonstrations, but other than exhibits it is open air so it attracts a lot of wild birds. Sabino Canyon's waterfalls are a natural attraction. The drive up Mount Lemmon, the Sky Island expressway, provides access to some good places just off the road. And when you get to the village of Summerhaven you have to stop at the Sawmill Restaurant and get an ice cream cookie. (Bring some companions to help finish it
)
And BTW, these spots also have great scenery!
Tombstone closes at5:30. Better to stay in Bisbee or Wilcox. You can eat there after dark.
Stay till sundown then drive back to town for dinner.
dhdsacket
joecichjr
Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Gallopingphotog wrote:
My brother lived in Tucson a few years ago and we stayed with him. In that immediate area, Saguaro National Park had a lot of birds, especially woodpecker varieties and owls who use holes in the cactus. Keep a sharp eye and you can see them peeping out to check before exiting. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum has captive birds, of course, and a couple of demonstrations, but other than exhibits it is open air so it attracts a lot of wild birds. Sabino Canyon's waterfalls are a natural attraction. The drive up Mount Lemmon, the Sky Island expressway, provides access to some good places just off the road. And when you get to the village of Summerhaven you have to stop at the Sawmill Restaurant and get an ice cream cookie. (Bring some companions to help finish it
)
And BTW, these spots also have great scenery!
My brother lived in Tucson a few years ago and we ... (
show quote)
An enjoyable variety, well-done
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