Agua Caliente Reopens after September Fire

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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​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.

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​Great Blue Heron enjoying a frog for breakfast . . .

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

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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!

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Down the hatch, head first! 
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When having a frog in your throat is a good thing . . .

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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.

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Great Egret in flight and preening . . . .

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

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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. 

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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 sp​end the winter.

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Green Heron hiding among the reeds . . . .

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

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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 

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Northern flicker

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

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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.

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That's all for now!   
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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! 
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