Agua Caliente Reopens after September Fire

12/11/2022

A lighting strike at Agua Caliente Park at Soldier Trail and Roger Road in September started a wildfire that burned most of the palm trees adjacent to the stream that feeds the eastern lake. Fortunately Rural Metro was able to get the fire out and prevent further spread to the rest of the park. No structures were lost.

The County did clean-up and repair in October and November. The park reopened the Monday after Thanksgiving, November 28th. We were there bright and early to celebrate and say Hi! to the birds!

The images above and below (iPhone 13) show the area that burned, now fenced off until the rest of the repair and restoration can be completed. Most of the trees look viable, although charred. The tops are now green! There must be food up there, because the Gila Woodpeckers are active in the very top branches.

A few charred palm leaves don't discourage the Gila Woodpeckers

Canon R6 RF 100-500mm with 1.4 Extender, 700 mm, 1/2000, f/10, ISO 3200, +0 EV.

Images above and below, Gila Woodpeckers perched among the charred branches, with new green growth above.

In the image above, a male Gila Woodpecker on a slightly toasted branch. Below detail of the new growth at the top of a tree that is otherwise charred. Hopefully most of the remaining trees will survive.

The ponds are intact, and full of birds:

The rest of the park looks untouched. The eastern pond adjacent to the ranch house looks great, and was home to a number of birds this morning.

Great Blue Heron enjoying a frog for breakfast . . .

Canon R6 RF 100-500mm with 1.4 Extender, 700 mm, 1/1600, f/10, ISO 2500, +2/3 EV.

Images above and below, a Great Blue Heron catches a bull frog and is sizing it up for breakfast. This bird kept dunking the frog in the water, I suspect to be sure it was dead and well lubricated before sliding it down his throat. We all know that dry meals are tough, especially when the entree is so large and you don't have teeth!

Down the hatch, head first!

When having a frog in your throat is a good thing . . .

Image below: there is a visible bump in the neck just above the shoulder which I suspect represents the frog!

Bullfrogs are an invasive species in Arizona, and since their introduction they have pushed out the native Leopard Frog. There is active work underway to eliminate the bull frog and restore the Leopard Frog Population. For more on bullfrogs, see Fearsome Frogs from National Geographic, and for an article on Leopard Frogs see the reintroduction of Leopard Frogs at Ramsey Canyon.

Great Egret in flight and preening . . . .

Canon R6 RF 100-500mm with 1.4 Extender, 700 mm, 1/4000, f/10, ISO 2000, +1/3 EV.

Food and water, what could be better for the Great Egret! The bird above was feeding toward the south side of the pond and decided to fly across the pond and perch on a branch to preen.

Great Egrets have yellow bills, and black feet, whereas the Snowy Egret, very similar in appearance, sports a black bill and orange feet. We are at the northern edge of the Great Egret's winter range, and this bird likely bred to our north and is either on the way south or is looking around for the best local spots to spend the winter.

Green Heron hiding among the reeds . . . .

Canon R6 RF 100-500mm with 1.4 Extender, 700 mm, 1/2000, f/16, ISO 2500, -1/3 EV.

Waaaay across the pond was this Green Heron hiding among the reeds right at the water's edge, sitting patiently and occasionally grabbing a fish that swam by. Green Herons also eat frogs; for more, see "I can't believe he ate the whole thing," Part II

Northern flicker

Canon R6 RF 100-500mm with 1.4 Extender, 700 mm, 1/3200, f/10, ISO 1000, +1/3 EV.

Final bird for the day, the Northern Flicker, Red-shafted, in reference to the color of the feather shafts on the flight wings and tail. In the eastern U.S. the shafts are yellow, with hybrid mixtures in the middle of the county. The bird above is a male with a characteristic red streak under the eye.

Below this male hops to an adjacent branch showing off the red shafts on the feathers.

That's all for now!

Special thanks to the firefighters that put this fire out quickly, the County crew that continues to restore the park, and the Friends of Agua Caliente, always there to support the park!

Happy Trails!

2 Comments

Deb Bauer

12/13/2022 11:29:35 am

The photo you took at Agua Caliente of the palms backing the lawn drew my mind to a somewhat abstract to Joshua Tree National Park. Actually an attractive image when you think beyond the face of the burn damage. It’s obvious these birds have no need to find other sleeping accommodations. What an example to us of the terms, repurpose and reuse, expressing what prioritizing means in the wild. This is a fantastic post. Nature has its way of healing and it seems all of the activities you caught in camera is proof, when faced with trauma and risk to livelihood, the idea to keep moving forward is the healthy works one can do. The rewards for both of you to witness these progressive behaviors by the wild, engaging in daily duties even without trash can lids and sitting benches dotting the park all around, I would not have believed you could have seen this so soon. Your writings and experience is very motivating and informative. The species you brought to us in these photographs generates a new outlook on what we can w experience nearly at our doorsteps, of the delicate wild life around us. During the holidays particularly a great post of viewing Life, for us all. Thank you for the time both of you took and gifting us with the share.

Henry

12/13/2022 04:40:05 pm

Deb,
Many thanks for your thoughtful comments. I was surprised to see the Gila Woodpeckers on the charred palms. I suspect the local insect ecosystem has returned to the tree. The Cornell site, All About Birds states that the Gila's eat insects, invertebrates and berries and forage primarily in dead wood. If anything, the burned palms may provide more food to the local population than they had before!

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