Fr. Charlie, Dave, and I went to southern Arizona on March 18. We left early (about 6:30) for the 2 hour drive to the town of Tubac, where we stopped at Ron Morriss County Park, and De Anza Trail. We stopped for lunch in Tubac, and then headed to Patagonia Lake State Park (about a 45 min drive).
The ‘Southwest Wings Spring Fling’ was hosting the ‘Hawk Watch’ at Ron Morriss County Park in Tubac. There are a lot of migrating hawks this time of year. These hawks are great for birders, but unfortunately, not photographers. They were very high up in the thermals, and not close enough for pictures.
While we were at the park, we saw some male Vermilion Flycatchers chasing each other around the trees, and got some shots. We then hiked the De Anza Trail, and when we got back to the park, the chasing had escalated into a violent fight between the male Vermilions. They would attack each other mid-air, and fight as they tumbled out of the sky and crashed onto the ground, where they would continue fighting, then take flight, and repeat the process. We haven’t seen this before or heard of it, and it was pretty interesting. I got a little carried away posting pictures of ‘the battle’.
De Anza Trail is accessible from Ron Morriss Park. It goes along Tubac Creek at that point, and further south, along the Santa Cruz River. There was a lot of water in Tubac Creek. I don’t know if this is normally the case.
Next we went to Patagonia Lake State Park, which is about a 45 minute drive. It’s a well known spot for birders (and other recreational activities), but it was my first time there. It’s a nice spot – definitely worth a return trip.
Southern Arizona is always a fun place to go. It was beautiful, and the weather was perfect.
