Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area & Bisbee, AZ - (Benson, AZ)

I was up fairly early and working on our business financials for 2008.

We had planned a visit to the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area about 50 miles southeast of Benson.  We intended to go fairly early and do some birding, but the skies were overcast and I got caught up in my spreadsheets.

We had heard and read that the wintering Sandhill Cranes head out early in the morning to feed in the surrounding fields and then they return to Whitewater around noon, so we at least wanted to arrive before noon.  We finally got away around 10:30.

There is no visitors center at Whitewater Draw.  There is a large pavillion, a sign-in book, an information kiosk, a couple of observation decks, some picnic tables, and benches.

We walked around the ponds looking at the various waterfowl - Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Ruddy Ducks, a single Bufflehead, some Cinnamon Teal, etc.

But we arrived just in time to see the Sandhills coming in and landing at the southern end of the wildlife area.  We headed that way.

As we walked we could see a bright white flock of Snow Geese landing amongst the Sandhills.

But they were far outnumbered by the Sandhills.  The sky was full of them.

Linda watched and listened as they landed in three different areas around us.

At first, we could see the Snow Geese.  Unfortunately, Linda watched one of them as it had been injured and slowly died. 

The sky was full of cranes and they were arriving in droves.

Looking to the north, we could see flocks as far as our binoculars would focus.

Here is a video taken by the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory that provides an idea of the sounds of the spectacle.

You have to be able to hear the sounds to get the full effect.  :)

Soon, the cranes had the geese surrounded.

Eventually, I was able to get a little closer.

They spilled over into the lake ...

and they just kept coming.

We watched for a long time.  Sadly, one crane seemed to be stuck in the mud out in the middle of the lake.  It was trying to free itself, but just couldn't do it.  Linda was sending encouragement with all her might.

She was resigned to the fact that it probably wouldn't make it, but she couldn't shake the sadness for the bird when its mate showed up and had to stand by helplessly.

As much as I tried to console her with the "it's just part of nature" speech, she was quiet and sad the rest of the day.

We happened to be there at the same time as tour guide from the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory who was giving a tour to a reporter from the Sierra Vista Herald.  She took down our names and her photographer got some shots of us.

I don't know about the printed version of the paper, but my picture is on the online version with the story:  Birders Have Field Day.  :)

As it seemed most of the birds had arrived, we made our way toward the Jeep.  I took a shot of another group of cranes on the way out.

We watched a Great Blue Heron catch a fish and we were on our way.

We were only at Whitewater Draw a couple of hours.  The cranes are definitely the highlight in winter, but I bet it is a fabulous birding place for numerous species in the spring.

Since we had plenty of time, we decided to check out the town of Bisbee on our way home.

Bisbee, it turns out, is a pretty neat little town and looked nothing like what you would expect in Arizona.

It's an old mining town with businesses and homes built on the sides of the "mountains".  The main street winds up the canyon and there are numerous shops, galleries, ....

and inns.

We made two passes through town, but didn't get out.  Linda would have loved to do some shopping ... in our old life.  We had just eaten the lunch we packed, so we weren't hungry.  And the mining museum, which looked kinda cool, is just not something that appeals to us.

I'm glad we stopped by and looked around, but a little afternoon day trip was enough for us.  :)

We made it back to Benson in time for me to watch the Louisville vs. Kentucky basketball game - a Bluegrass State highlight for the year.  It was a competitive game with a highlight reel ending.  :)

After that, I watched a little of the NFL playoffs until it was time for dinner.  Steve & Esther invited us over to their Elite Suites for ribs, potatoes, slaw, and garlic bread.  How did she know I was a ribs fan?  :)

Dinner was delicious and we had a little time to chat before the ice cream social.  The first Sunday of every month, there is an ice cream social at the clubhouse - fifty cents for a big chunk of ice cream and there is usually some kind of cake or cookie as well. 

Also, those with birthdays or anniversaries during the month get their ice cream for free.  January also includes July since most folks aren't here in the summer and this might be their only time to celebrate.  Since Steve and I have July birthdays, we took advantage of the free dessert.  :)

After talking to some of the others, we dropped off Esther & Steve and headed home for the evening.  We had a little sprinkle of rain and it looks like it might be overcast for a day or two.

But we finally got down to Whitewater Draw & Bisbee.  Now we just have to make up our minds as whether or not we are going to visit Karchner Caverns before we leave here on Thursday.  :)

Hmm.  I like these decisions a lot more than the ones we used to have to make on a daily basis.  :)

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Comments

[foxriverguy]

We live within the Mississsipi River Flyway and every autumn and every spring we hear the unique sound of flocks of Sandhill Cranes flying overhead. It gives us goosebumps. It is quite an experience, and we want to visit the wildlife area in Bisbee and see up close what we only have seen overhead.

Looks like the Paynes had another memorable day.

[Barb]

My husband and I visited Bisbee several winters ago. We wandered all over the town. We bought a set of pottery dinnerware from one of the local artisans and we use those dishes daily. They are the color of the desert - tans, reds, oranges, and browns. It is a wonderful town to browse through!

[Jon & Loni Calhoun]

Bisbee is indeed a little gem. Lots of interesting (and $$$) things in the galleries. You should have tried the mining museum-- it was neat! Also the Queen Mine tour was a hoot. We liked Karchner Caverns a lot as it is a "wet" cave with active formations. We paid $33 for the two of us last September. -- Jon & Loni

[Marty & Roz Hill]

Thanks for the trip to see the Sandhill Cranes and that little video really put us right there with you folks. That is really a birders paradise. Thanks again,
Marty

[Sheri Williamson]

Great photos, Howard! I'm so sorry that the double tragedies of the crane and goose out a damper on what should have been an uplifting experience.

I hope you get back to Bisbee sometime with time and energy for window shopping and people watching. The new mineral exhibits at the mining museum are cool, and the Bisbee Grille has some pretty good baby back ribs.

[Mike & Janna]

We have Sandhill Cranes in the spring and summer in Montana and I love to hear their sound. Thanks for the great photos and go visit that cave!! You won't be sorry.
Janna & Mike

[Jerry and Suzy LeRoy]

Once again you are a step or three ahead of us! We will be spending some time soon with friends staying in Bisbee. We've been there before, but just for a quick tour.

Thanks for the good pix of birds at Whitewater Draw.