Rodeo, NM - Portal, AZ- Rusty's RV Park

Rusty's and the Rodeo Portal area have got to be one of our all time favorite places to visit. We came here first about 3 years ago, mainly to check the place out, but since then have made it a regular stop.

The view from our "yard". Those are the Chirichua Mountains off in the distance

Another view of those beautiful Mountains

Inside the clubhouse at Rusty's

Last friday here, Rusty and her husband cooked up Beer Battered Cod for all. Everyone brought something. It was a good meal. 

The birding group that was there the week before left this checklist of all the species they saw while here. I believe their final count was 103.

Just sitting outside our RV one day, Mary and I got to see quite a site. A
Roadrunner was walking down RV site drive next to ours when all of a sudden he broke in to a dead run and nailed a lizard near a bush not 30' from us. Unbelievable how fast they can run, not to mention how well they can see.

Where our little friend got his lizard

There are 2 things that Rusty's is noted for: Birding and Astronomy and people from both fields frequent this place for them. The astronomy part is easy to understand. You can go outside your rig at night and the night sky view is unbelievable. There is NO light pollution. It is dark. The stars are just so visable. There is absolutely nothing blocking your view. We haven't gotten too much in to the astronomy thing, but we have the bird thing. The part of the Chirichaua's we travel: Cave Creek Canyon, the Village of Portal, the town of Paradise, the Research Station  are all a part of what is referred to as Sky Islands. Elevation changes from 4000' at Portal to over 5000 at Paradise and the Research Station, to over 9000' at Rustler's Park host such divergent flora and fauna that there is a full time Research Station located there to accommodate the many scientists who come to this area to study. It is truly special.

This is a view of Cave Creek Canyon

And this is a view of South Fork, Cave Creek Canyon

The birding in this area is well known. People from everywhere come here to view the diverse bird population.

You get to see more than birds when you come here

A view up So Fork

The 2 guys that helped us to see and identify the Elegant Trogan

Everyone comes to this area at this time of the year to catch a glimpse of the Elegant Trogon. Very rare. And very rare to be seen. Well, we lucked out big time this year. Our second trip in to the South Fork area, we drove to the end, parked in the limited parking area, and started walking(we were able to get a parking spot because we got there early, like before 8:00). Not a hundred yards in, we heard its call. The Elegant Trogan's call definitely does not match its plummage. We followed the sound into the woods, where we came across the 2 guys I mentioned. They were looking up, way up into one of the trees. They were  so nice to motion us over and to then point out the Trogan up in the tree. It was unbelievable. Soon we had 4 more people there and it wasn't long before the Trogan flew away. We paused and listened, but nothing. Waited 15 minutes, gave up and headed back out to the main riverbed trail to continue. Mary and I were SO excited that we had gotten to see one. After spending another 20 minutes or so going up the riverbed trail we decided to head back down towards the parking lot and then down to the bridge, where we had seen a number of birds on previous visits. When we got back down to the parking lot, we started hearing the Trogan again. And so did everyone else that was there. Probably 5-10 people were starting in to the woods. Mary and I decided not to become part of the pack, so instead continued down towards the bridge. Well, to make a long story short, we found a spot on the river just above the bridge. We were alone and got to see a number of birds, including a Magnificent Hummingbird buzzing the water surface. Truly amazing to watch. Mary left after a while to go down to the bridge. I decided to stay. And was I rewarded. The commotion above us, had spooked the Trogon and the next thing that I knew, he was right there in front of me. I didn't have a camera with me, but if I did, this is what it would have looked like:

The Trogon was right in front of me, not 30' away. Thanks to new friend Art who had taken these pics 2 days before in this same area, and was nice enough to share them with me. I was probably looking at this same bird. As you can see, he is truly an Elegant bird.

I mentioned Art above. Mary and I met he and his wife while at another birding Hot Spot, Bob Rodrigues', in Portal. 

Bob Rodrigues' yard. All kinds of feeders, and all kinds of birds.

Art and his wife Martie. From Washington.

Other birding Hot Spots we try to hit each visit include:

• The Research Station
• The George Walker House

The Research Station:

Another really special place

While here, we took advantage of their birding area where they have a number of Hummingbird Feeders. We sat there for about 40 minutes just watching the Hummers. Amazing!

The George Walker House is really special. Jackie L literally opens her house to birders. She has a yard filled with feeders, and a welcoming porch for you to sit and observe. And people like us, from all over the world do come to take advantage of her feeders and her hospitality. And of course, she is always around to help with ID'ing birds. We can't begin to thank her enough.....

Mary with Jackie's dog Bojangles

Check out the Coati in the tree after treats

He saw me!

Mary & Bojangles on the porch

A view of the yard and some of the feeders

The George Walker House

Last on the list of things to do in the area is a visit to the Chirichua Desert Museum. We always manage to stop here and leave some money. You know, books, souvenirs etc.

That is what you call a Rattler

Seen along the way

Well that about covers our trip here this year. We are already making plans for next year, and for sure, we will be staying for more than 1 week. The birding is just that good. Hopefully we can meet up with our new friends Art and Martie and I can show him the new camera that I am going to buy - thanks to his recommendation. Can't miss an opportunity for a pic like he took of the Trogon. On Sunday, 4/29 we head out from Rodeo, NM and travel to Elephant Butte State Park in NM.