Saturday, April 26, 2025 Portal and Paradise, AZ to Benson.

 Saturday, April 26

We wake early and decide to head to some more "hot spots" for birds. Temperature in mid 40's.

First is a turn off on South Fork Road to a hiking area. We don't go very far because it is COLD! 4 other cars here already (6:30AM).  

We go back to the store and mail postcards to the grandkids at the post office, then go back to Bud and Deb's. 

 There are several javelina wondering through the yard and beyond.  And near the benches a coatimundi is sitting in a tree, occasionally munching leaves.  He seems oblivious to people.  This part of Arizona is the only place in the US to see them!  

More birds enjoying their breakfast!

A nearby birder tells me this is the largest hummingbird in Arizona, but unfortunately it is in the shadows so all I get is a silhouette.

Next we head to the Rodriguez house and take a short hike to their birding area.  Feeders, water and a folding chair gallery.  This sign at the beginning of the trail is interesting.  A little double entendre? 

We've heard that Paradise is worth the drive, so set out on the five mile drive over very rough, rocky road to the George Walker house. 

 Paradise may be even smaller than Portal!  There are several women birders sitting outside where the hostess (far right) is pointing out birds, and she knows her birds.  She and her husband own this house and the George Walker house next door.  It was built in 1909 and they have turned it into a bed and breakfast for birders. 

 I am welcomed to the group, while Greg wanders the grounds and takes lots of turkey pictures.

Several more folks arrive over the next half hour.  Some are "twitchers", a term from the UK for avid birders who move around often in search of birds, with huge telephoto lenses.  One guy says he has to remove his extender because all he is getting is the bird's eyeball! 

The hostess mentions that she has to leave for Tucson soon and I ask about the road from Paradise that goes to I-10.  She says it is gravel and a bit washboard, but not nearly as bad as the road we came in on from Portal.  So we decide to take  this 13 mile road as we head towards brother Tom in Benson (this side of Tucson).  It is as described but seems longer than 13 miles.

We pass some pasture land and lots of nothing till we reach more pecan orchards, just before I-10.  We stop to eat at Roadrunner Kafe in Wilcox where Beth has the hugest pancake ever!  

 And then it is about two hours to Benson.

They look great!  We spend the afternoon catching up and enjoying the birds in their back yard.  They put up  and water and are very popular.  The Merlin app catches well over a dozen different bird calls in 20 minutes or so! Regular visitors to their hummingbird feeders too!

Tom has also mounted a trail camera outside their yard and shows us some recordings showing deer, javelina and,  one  - then a pair of - coyotes enjoying a drink! Sue is anticipating baby quail and they suspect maybe some baby coyotes too!  A big hawk visits too which quickly scatters the other birds.

We enjoy pizza from Papa Murphy's for dinner, share pictures and stories and enjoy the evening. Nice hot showers too!