A previous post ("Water, and Birds, Everywhere") talked about the birding opportunities created by the downstream end of water management systems in Arizona. This is a look at one part of the upstream side, the supply and distribution system that manages the limited availability of water.
When birders talk about Arizona, most of the attention, at least outside of the State proper, is focussed on the southeast corner, where rare vagrants from Mexico and birds at the northern edges of their range can be regularly, if not necessarily easily, found (see previous post "Life Birds at Catalina State Park"). But for those of us who only visit Arizona occasionally, almost anywhere provides extraordinary birding and photography opportunities. Near Phoenix, one area is both readily accessible and quite birdy: the Salt River Recreation Areas.
The Salt River Project is one of the largest raw-water suppliers in Arizona, managing an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, canals and irrigation laterals to generate electricity, supply water, and control flooding in the Phoenix area. Peripheral benefits include the creation of habitat and recreation areas ideal for birding and nature observation. Along with off road biking and ATVs, dog walking, horseback riding, fishing - pretty much anything you can do outside.
But there seems to be enough room for all and compared to, say, Connecticut, it's as wide open a birding opportunity as anyone could hope for.
Lower Salt River, Arizona
While much of the bird diversity is a function of the riparian habitat and associated wetlands, it's enhanced by the immediately adjacent deserts that support a whole other bunch of birds and wildlife.
So here are a few of the birds and landscapes of the area. More can be found on my Flickr page here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/cswood-photos/3Cv182
The Superstition Mountains, Source of Salt River Water
A Very Cool Assortment of Ducks in the Impoundments - Cinnamon Teal
Recently Fledged Bald Eagle
Cactus Birds, Too - Cactus Wren
And Courting Phainopeplas
Wild Horses Attract as Many Watchers as the Birds Do
All in all, a great place to enjoy nature and the outdoors, both because of and despite the intensive resource use by utilities. See more pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/cswood-photos/3Cv182
When birders talk about Arizona, most of the attention, at least outside of the State proper, is focussed on the southeast corner, where rare vagrants from Mexico and birds at the northern edges of their range can be regularly, if not necessarily easily, found (see previous post "Life Birds at Catalina State Park"). But for those of us who only visit Arizona occasionally, almost anywhere provides extraordinary birding and photography opportunities. Near Phoenix, one area is both readily accessible and quite birdy: the Salt River Recreation Areas.
The Salt River Project is one of the largest raw-water suppliers in Arizona, managing an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, canals and irrigation laterals to generate electricity, supply water, and control flooding in the Phoenix area. Peripheral benefits include the creation of habitat and recreation areas ideal for birding and nature observation. Along with off road biking and ATVs, dog walking, horseback riding, fishing - pretty much anything you can do outside.
But there seems to be enough room for all and compared to, say, Connecticut, it's as wide open a birding opportunity as anyone could hope for.
Lower Salt River, Arizona
While much of the bird diversity is a function of the riparian habitat and associated wetlands, it's enhanced by the immediately adjacent deserts that support a whole other bunch of birds and wildlife.
So here are a few of the birds and landscapes of the area. More can be found on my Flickr page here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/cswood-photos/3Cv182
The Superstition Mountains, Source of Salt River Water
A Very Cool Assortment of Ducks in the Impoundments - Cinnamon Teal
Recently Fledged Bald Eagle
Cactus Birds, Too - Cactus Wren
And Courting Phainopeplas
Wild Horses Attract as Many Watchers as the Birds Do
All in all, a great place to enjoy nature and the outdoors, both because of and despite the intensive resource use by utilities. See more pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/cswood-photos/3Cv182
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