Monday, June 11, 2007
Rusty's RV Ranch, Rodeo, NM - May 21-23
This is another very nice Passport America park that is quite new and has very large spaces. Rusty, the female owner, is in the process of landscaping the park and doing an excellent job. We picked this location because it is only 11 miles from Portal, AZ, another birding "hot spot". We drove the loop road through Chiricahua Natl Monument, stopping at the George Walker House in Paradise for more arm-chair birding and got tips for other birding in the area. 
We then continued on to Turkey Creek where we spotted out first greater pewee. Further on, we stopped at the Southwest Research Station, which does not do research itself, but provides living quarters for scientists from around the world to study the unique ecology of the Chiricahuas. 
They have hummingbirds feeders set up there, and we watched mesmerized as 3 male blue-throats chased each other around trying to establish their territories for at least a half-hour. Looking back on this, I once again realize that, while seeing a life bird is special, the true joy of birdwatching is in becoming familiar with the behavior of each species until it becomes what we call an "old friend".
The next day we got up early (for us) and hiked to the Chiricahua Wilderness Area to try to see the elegant trogon that was reported there. After we crossed the South Fork, near where the trogon was supposed to be, we heard its distinctive call, not unlike a barking dog, and positioned ourselves to try to see it. It wasn't long before Willie spotted it near the top of a tree. After it flew off & came back a couple of times, we discovered what we thought was its nest, a cavity in a tree. Sure enough, a few minutes later it flew up and sat at the entrance of the hole, looking in, then ducked in. 
We waited, and after a few minutes its head reappeared. After it again took flight, we hiked back to the car elated & had a picnic lunch with another birding couple.# posted by Doug and Willie @ 6:27 PM 
