The main reason we visited Arizona was to visit family – especially DH’s mom who is still adjusting to life without her DH. We pretty much know our way around parts of the area now (Mesa, Gilbert, Scotsdale, Apace Junction) after traveling there almost every year for quite a few years now.
We know what times of the year are best, what to pack, to stay hydrated and when to not venture outdoors. It still amazes me how it can be a bit cool (cool being relative to what month it is) in the morning and then gets warmer rapidly; staying warm even after the sun sets. The airport in Phoenix is very familiar to us too but then they had to go mess it up for us by doing some construction which led us on a weird route to get from the rental cars to the highway. I swear we drove a complete circle around the airport before we got away from it!
We didn’t venture out into the desert here in the Mesa area (we saved that for when we headed south) but we did spend a little time at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert, Arizona. As this was our second year visiting here, we knew what ponds certain birds usually hung out at.
There were the usual suspects like Gila Woodpeckers making nests in the Saguaros. This is a female.
Gambel’s Quails
Black necked Stilt
Ring necked ducks
And lots and lots of bunnies
After a few days it was time to head south towards Tucson and Saguaro National Park.
Teri 📷
Images by T.Dashfield Photography 
There’s something extraordinary about Arizona, and you, my dear, are sharing the beautiful birdlife. Thank you! Great pictures!
Thanks, Nancy! Arizona is an amazing place.