So, what do sandhill cranes, pickle ball and wildflowers have to do with each other? A bad case of cabin fever! Low overnight temps this winter have curtailed our RV adventures. After religiously watching the weather reports, we found a window of opportunity for a ten day getaway not far from home.
Every fall, sandhill cranes, a well as other migratory birds make their way to Arizona for the winter. Migrating from places as far as Siberia, over 30,000 sandhill cranes winter here. Roughly two-thirds will roost at Whitewater Draw in McNeal, Arizona, not far from Tombstone, where we decide to camp.
Sandhill Cranes at Whitewater Draw
Where there's water, there's life! Riparian habitats are rare in the arid southwest. In Arizona, these habitats comprise only 1 percent of it's land area.
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| Northern Shoveler |
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| Shore bird |
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| Cinnamon Teal |
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| Snow Geese and American Wigeon |
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Snow Geese in flight
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| Jim posing at the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area |
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One room Schoolhouse in Fairbank's ghost town. |
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| The Fairbank Cemetery |
Next stop - Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort in Casa Grande, Arizona, where we attempt to hone our golf and pickleball skills.
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A beautiful par three course! |
Last of all, circling back home via Picacho Peak to view the spring wildflowers.
