Skywatch Friday: Bird Watching

Did you know there's a riparian area right in the middle of Gilbert, Arizona--a city of about 250K people?  It kept popping up on our All Trails map so we decided to go check it out.

(Riparian is my new word for the summer.  It is a lush, fertile area surrounding rivers and other waterways that are located in ecosystems that are vastly different such as a desert.  They support all forms of wildlife who otherwise wouldn't thrive in the desert.)


Wildlife spotting were sparse.  Lots of ducks and other waterfowl.


It was siesta time for many of them.


There were also cottontails that had no fear of people.


Beautiful shot through the reeds at one of the ponds.  There were lots of bird watchers out here.  If that's your passion this would be the place to go.


Some kind of big white bird across the way.  Maybe some kind of heron?

We had been told there was a roseate spoonbill living here this winter and my goal was to find him.  No such luck on this day though.


More ducks.


A hummingbird held still long enough for me to take it's picture.


Beautiful!


An osprey which appeared to be feeding babies.  Awesomeness!


I believe these are long billed curlews.


Little birds that make their homes in the saguaros.


If a saguaro is 80 to 100 years old before it grows its first arm, how old do you think this one is?  I'm obsessed with the saguaros.

Linking with Skywatch Friday

"Birds teach a great life lesson.  All you have to do is listen to their song"

Comments

Yogi♪♪♪ said…
That looks like fun!!
March 24, 2022 at 1:00 PM
Amila said…
All these are beautiful captures…
I like all the bird photos. Wonderful nature!
Have a great day!
March 24, 2022 at 6:05 PM
Jim said…
Brilliant shots.
March 25, 2022 at 4:38 AM
Spare Parts and Pics said…
Some of those saguaros must be very old indeed. So nice to have an area like this within the city.
March 25, 2022 at 10:01 AM
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