CANYON
NOTEs: Article One
by
Karen McBride (as printed in the Green Valley News and Sun)
Did you know that watching
birds has recently overtaken fishing and hunting as America's
top outdoor “sport”; that there are more than 60 million people
watching birds (at varying levels of intensity); that Southeastern
Arizona is the #2 birding destination in the country, second
only to south Texas; and that visiting birders pour a lot of
dollars into the local economy? And did you realize that Madera
Canyon is one of the “must see” destinations on a birder's wish
list? Eventually every serious birder will make the pilgrimage
here, and some, like me, will stay.
Two important guide books
available world-wide at book stores and online book sites are
Finding Birds in Southeastern Arizona published
by the Tucson Audubon Society and A Birder's Guide to Southeastern
Arizona by Richard Cachor Taylor.
In the former, it is
written that “Madera Canyon (is) one of the most famous
birding areas in Southeast Arizona...” and that “...there are
no hot spots to compare with Madera Canyon ...”
The latter book states
that “Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains is, perhaps,
the best-known and most-often visited birding spot in Arizona,
with good reason. You can find most of the species of Southeastern
Arizona within 15 linear miles. Only an hour south of Tucson,
Madera Canyon is the nearest and easiest place to see the full
panoply of Sierra Madrean hummingbirds, Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied
Flycatcher, and other pine/oak woodland specialties confined
to the border ranges. If you have time to bird only a single
location in spring or summer, visit Madera Canyon.”
There you have it, folks.
Our canyon is famous the world over. Uncounted numbers of birders
make the journey here, sometimes from great distances and at
great personal expense. We are fortunate to LIVE
here with this unique and wonderful place in our backyards.
Visit the canyon during the week to soak up its peace and tranquility.
Listen to the bird sounds; watch the squirrels, deer, and coatimundi
play; have a picnic; commune with nature. And please be sure
to park only in designated parking areas, respect private property,
and pay your fee or put your Golden Age Pass on your dashboard.
For more information about Madera Canyon, check out the Friends
of Madera Canyon's excellent website at www.friendsofmaderacanyon.org
.
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