Like Santa Rita Lodge (see previous post), Ramsey Canyon Inn is a must-visit, idyllic spot for birding in Southeast Arizona, located near the town of Sierra Vista. Birds are attracted to the numerous feeders in the front and back yard, and you're likely to meet birders visiting from around the world.
To bird there, it is necessary to stay there, but you won't be disappointed with the lodgings (or the wonderful breakfasts, or the scrumptious desserts!)
Start the day with huevos rancheros ala Ramsey Canyon Inn:
A few highlights from two days of birding in August of this year:
Rivoli's Hummingbirds (formerly known as Magnificent Hummingbirds) were numerous:
White-breasted Nuthatch:
A female Rufous Hummingbird with its tail nicely backlit:
A Painted Redstart, showing all of its field marks in one photo:
When Painted Redstarts search for food, they flash their white outer tail-feathers. This picture nicely shows how the outer tail-feathers fold underneath the inner tail-feathers, like a fan. (It's that way in all birds)
The Blue-throated Hummingbird is also known as the Blue-throated Mountain-Gem (what a nice-sounding name!) It is the largest of all hummingbirds found in the United States, found primarily in Southeast Arizona. It looks big in the picture, it looks big in real life!
Black-headed Grosbeak, female:
Violet-crowned Hummingbird:
Honeybees are also attracted to hummingbird feeders:
The female Lazuli Bunting looks nothing like its male counterpart. There is a bit of lazuli on the tail-feathers, that's all! I think it's a lovely bird. Unfortunately, when this bird posed for me, a fencepost hid the tip of its tail.
Lesser Goldfinches, male and female, bathe in the backyard water fountain:
The handsome Hepatic Tanager:
During my visit to southeast Arizona, I saw a number of Arizona Woodpeckers, but from a distance. Leaving Ramsey Canyon Inn, heading to my car, I noticed this one, a fitting end to an idyllic visit to Ramsey Canyon.
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