After a year of very-nearly-planning I flew down to Phoenix, Arizona to join my cousin Ed, my very-nearly-a-cousin-in-law Amy and their dog Loca, aka 'Mama', for a weekend of boating & for me, some on-the-water desert birding.
Ed & Amy drove their van, picked me up at the airport, and we were off to Apache Lake.
Eddie and Loca posing for me along the way
I loved the drive, especially when we got off the 'normal' streets of Arizona and onto the back roads, line with towering Saguaro cacti and rattlesnakes. Hey, I love rattlers. Here is a short video of the road. Cool as you can hear the truck rattling - remember we were hauling a boat.
Late afternoon we made it to our destination at Apache Lake. Ed, Amy and Loca took a little time out for a dip in the water on the boat launch area.
The boat! This was taking out of the lake on Sunday
Now, my job - it was a small but important one - was to get my bum onto the boat prior to launching. I work out at a gym regularly so thought I was well up to the task... um... well, not so much really. I couldn't haul my weight up onto the rear of the boat to save my life. Finally, just before giving up and resigning myself to being pulled behind the boat like a rogue barge, I climbed onto the front of the boat's trailer hitch, and managed - just barely - to haul my bum up onto the front of the boat. From there I lowered myself into the boat cabin and TADA! I was sea-worthy!
Capt'n Ed on Deck!
First Mate Amy riding shotgun on the boat's bow
Mesa in the fading light of day
I love when the sun glints on red rock
Apache Lake has lots of nooks and crannies on it's long waterway. Ed found one where we settled in. I was busying myself looking for and at the local wildlife (hey, it's me, DUH). Ed concentrated on trying to lure up some catfish. The catfish weren't biting, but for me, the Western Screech Owls did call and the night time froggies did croak.
Loca trying to spot some catfish for her Daddy Ed
Loads of vultures doing morning calisthenics
We spent the night on the boat. It was some kind of miracle that I, the 'pee-3-times-afore-the-cock-crows' lady, slept through the entire night, not needing to pee even once. That's one huge miracle I can tell you! Early the next morning we docked at the pier, and from there I hiked uphill - which is saying a lot, as even in the early morning, Arizona is too freakn' hot for 'moi'. So I took my time and birded along the way.
This little male Vermillion Flycatcher was my favorite at the dock. The little guy was all over the place and he put on several aria performances just for me.
A Verdin - a desert 'tit' feeding on Ocatillo flowers
We headed back onto the lake and there I started getting in as much birding and photography as possible.
Bullock's Orioles were fairly numerous amid the Mesquite
White-winged Dove down at the lake edge for a drink
My favorite birds for the day were a pair of Yellow Warblers in full breeding plumage. Funny I never think of them as a desert bird.
Cute couple - male and female Yellow Warblers
While some of us wiled away the day birding, others buddied up and got into the water for a little float time.
Captain Amy & her first mate Loca Pup
Meanwhile Ed was captaining one of his water planes.
A little fire keeps the captain warmer
Ed maneuvering one of his pontoon planes
The pleasant day of fishing, birding and floating about went all too quickly. Saturday night the sun set on the beautiful mesas on the river, and made nice silhouettes against the red sky. We spent a second night out on the water, and again - no potty mishaps! Praise be for miracles, eh?
