The Boys, They Like To Strut Their Stuff...

Tired of the same ol' same ol' Sonoran Desert? Me neither, but there's a free "Male Review" playing up in Madera Canyon that's worth catching, one that even the guys will love.

 A nice change of scene awaits in Madera Canyon for all readers hunkered down in the Tucson area. Be sure to bring your camera and binoculars because this place is for the birds... and turkeys, coatimundi, white tail deer, bob cats, and so on.  There's a paved walking path that meanders alongside spring-fed and perennial Madera Creek, and a canopy of live oak and pine for shade (not that we need shade right now). 

 A daily fee of five bucks is charged, but a Senior Parks Pass gets you in for free. One can either park at the mouth of the canyon and walk/hike the paved trail to "The Show" at Santa Rita Lodge, or drive right to the lodge. Benches line a viewing area that has several bird feeders... the "spills" from which attract other critters like the coatimundi!

There is also a small Forest Service campground, maybe 8 to 10 spaces. Nina over at Wheeling It commented that she Googled the campground and thought the spaces might be too small for their motorhome. But three of the spaces are actually quite large. We could have put three "Goldies" and Sue Bee in there! The one on top nearest the restroom is the largest. Verizon Wi Fi worked, tho slow. This for five bucks a night with a Senior Pass. I don't believe the campground filled up once, even tho the weather was (was, mind you) perfect. But hey, snow melts. 

Now let's have a look at the "Boys."

Here's a lone male coatimundi... a handsome relative of the raccoon family but much more rare to see, which makes him "special."

This guy (below) liked to pose for me... or, maybe it was the other way around.

A male Hepatic Tanager provides a splash of color! Lesser Goldfinches like the food at Santa Rita Lodge, too... but I didn't get a good photo with my little "female" pocket camera :(

Now this guy below? he's a real stud. Look at him, showing off his extra long "hardware." It was enough to send me scurrying off with an inferiority complex!

  

And this macho show-off!!! WTF? He's packin' heat... and look where he's packing it! Only in Arizona, folks... and maybe Texas. Seems like a good way to shoot an additional hole in your ass to me. What was he afraid of, anyway? The squirrels going to get him? He needs a better hat and a holster if he wants to be a real cowboy... and a horse.

  

Now for the real men, strut tin' and pos en' for the girls.

Viewing area...

Maikel hasn't quite got the hang of the fine art of birdwatching. No wonder you don't see anything, Maikel... you're looking in the wrong direction! That's Sandy McMahan in the green shirt, a "Pro" when it comes to the names of all our avian friends in the forest and desert, not to mention flora and fauna. She gives field trip classes on beginning birdwatching in the Green Valley Area... including Madera Canyon, Catalina S. P., and Patagonia Lake S. P., the latter being where Mr. Elegant Trogon likes to hang out. Give her a call at, 520 648 0054 to sign up for one of her adventures. 

Kubo Cabins for rent

Look for dispersed Boondock camping just before entering the mouth of Madera Canyon... FYI.

Here's our boondock, before we moved on up to the Bog Springs Campground. Below is the road in to the dispersed camping spots.

The view of Mount Wrightson from our boondock...

Susan... soaking up nature and sun in Madera.

Who wouldn't love to camp and hike and bike with these guys!

And finally, guess who drew the short straw on doing laundry? Sheesh, so much for being a manly male. At least I got caught up on my Cosmo reading... and all the gossip in Hollywood.
Peace Out! Now go take a hike!