Tucson, Ramsey Canyon, Whitewater Draw Jan 31

Sunday, January 31

We decide to head to a McDonalds this morning, but the first one we come to has only one electrical outlet which is being used, so we continue on.

Head for an LA Fitness instead for a workout.  It is a small facility, no pool, only 4 showers, but it will work.  When we come out, Greg notices the left rear tire is low.  We stopped at a local tire shop and had it inflated - will look for a Discount Tire tomorrow since they will fix it for free if need be.

Greg has read about Ramsey Canyon Nature Preserve, and that is where we head next.  I-10 East to 90S.  It is run by the Nature Conservancy and noted for hummingbirds - during migration they can get up to 14 different types!  Right now, though there are only two types.  We do see a large "magnificent" briefly, and a flock of Mexican Jays as we walk the trail.

 And a few morning cloak butterflies, identified
by a fellow hiker.  There is a charge of $6 per person to walk the trail, but we like the Nature Conservancy and don't mind supporting them.

We notice a few lizards taking advantage of the warm sun.

We are near the base of Miller Peak in Coronado National Forest and there are traces of snow here and there along the trail. We noted a dusting of snow atop on the drive in.

 It is relatively warm, probably about 50, but very windy.  There is a nice stream along the trail and some huge sycamore trees - tallest things we've seen in quite a while!

This sycamore is estimated to have started in 1770s'

In talking with a woman at the visitor's center, Greg notes a map of the area with Whitewater Draw marked and asks about it.  This is the place that Tom had recommended to see the sandhill crane migration.  We decide to go have a look, though it is nearly an hour away.  We go through the town of Sierra Vista where we once had some mechanical work done, and note a discount tire for later....

The wind has increased and as we turn back a dirt road to the draw, there are tumbleweeds regularly bounding across the road, some quite large!

More than 32,000 cranes have arrived in Arizona this year - the 4th highest number since 1978.  There are about 6,626 at this location.  We wonder how on earth they are counted, as they sprawl across the fields. They are very vocal - a sort of trilling, chirping call, occasional at first but then more and more voices till it is a continuous musical score. The birds are probably 50 yards from the observation decks.

The cranes are 3-3 1/2 ft tall, gray in color with long necks and white cheeks with a red feather crown, which appears when they are 2 years old.  They have a wingspan of 5-6 feet and only weigh 6-12 pounds.  We wonder how they can fly in this fierce wind.

And they don't - for a while.  Then, at some unknown signal, groups begin to take off.

 This coincides with a absolutely gorgeous sunset, which progresses from yellows and oranges to reds and grey. Add their musical calling, and it is a sensory delight! We walk to some observation decks and enjoy, along with several other folks.

Turns out that they allow overnight parking here in one area and there are two folks already set-up, so after most of the birds leave, we move to join the other campers.  The birds were relocating to settle down for the night.  They will take wing again in the morning, heading out to cornfields and other places where they feed, then return here around 11:00AM.  This, according to one of our neighbors, who has spent a few days here observing.