The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is part of the state parks system, and is located on the south side of US Route 60, about 50 miles east of the I-10/US 60 junction This is about 3 miles west of the town of Superior. US 60 is called the Superstition Freeway from I-10 east to Apache Junction. Allow 60 minutes for the drive from the split off I-10. Hours are 8 AM to 5 PM daily except Christmas. There is an admission fee that seems to go up each year. The Arboretum is a migrant trap in spring and fall, an escape from the brutal heat of metro Phoenix in summer, and a place to see some interesting wintering birds. With lush woods along a stream that has some water most of the year in an otherwise dry desert area, it offers opportunities for seeing non-desert birds in the Phoenix area. Watch for Harris's Hawks on utility poles along US 60 between Mesa and Apache Junction and around the turnoff to Queen Valley. Get a trail map at the entrance, make your first stop at the demonstration garden and picnic area, then follow the main trail along the creek. Loop up the hill and visit man-made Ayers Lake, then return to the entrance past the cactus garden.
Expected birds year round include: Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, (all at the small lake), Mourning and Inca Doves, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Common Raven, Black Phoebe (lake and stream bed), Verdin, Cactus, Canyon, and Bewick's Wrens, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Northern Cardinal, Abert's Towhees, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird (by the lake), Lesser Goldfinch, and House Finch. In winter, look for Ring-necked Duck (lake), Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Say's Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-breasted Nuthatch (uncommon), Cedar Waxwing, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's form), Green-tailed Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco. Migrants can include most anything: expect most of the western empidonax flycatchers, Plumbeous and Cassin's Vireos, and Orange-crowned Warblers. In summer there are Turkey Vultures, Costa's and Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Bell's Vireo, Lucy's Warbler, and Yellow-breasted Chat. Uncommon to rare birds include: Zone-tailed Hawk (March to September); Rufous-backed Robin (almost annual in winter, possible wherever the orange Chinese pistache berries are plentiful); White-throated Sparrow (occasional in winter); Fox Sparrow (Slate-colored or Sooty forms, occasional in winter). A Brown Thrasher has wintered here at least five years now.
For bird photography at the arboretum, I like to spend time at the Demonstration Garden, along the main trail between the Australian section and the Herb Garden, or at Ayer Lake.
There is a patio setting in the Demo Garden with recirculating water and shade. I like to sit here quietly and see what birds come in to drink from this reliable water source. Among the species I've photographed here are Lesser Goldfinch, Western Tanager, Brewer's Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, and Inca Dove.
There's also a bowl-shaped fountain nearby that recirculates water, and this has been a worthwhile spot to sit and wait for birds to visit the water. Recent subjects that I've photographed here include Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch, Anna's and Costa's Hummingingbirds, and a rare Lawrence's Goldfinch.
The main trail beyond the Australian section is often the best place for seeing birds. It can be good for ground-feeding birds (White-crowned Sparrow, towhees, Hermit Thrush, thrashers). The trees and bushes with berries in this area attract robins (including the rare Rufous-backed Robin), thrushes, Fox Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Townsend's Solitaire, thrashers, flickers, and Gila Woodpeckers. Set up low to the ground and work any ground-feeding birds, or wait near fruiting trees for feeding activity.
Ayer Lake is worth checking. Coots and Pied-billed Grebes sometimes come close enough to the edge for good image size in photos. Say's and Black Phoebes feed from the trees along the edge. Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers can provide good opportunities.
A good way to spend some more time in this area is to continue east on US 60 to Oak Flat Campground about 4 miles beyond Superior. Look for a turn on the south side of the road just after it levels out from the scenic drive up the canyon and through the tunnel. The change in elevation from the arboretum brings different species. Lesser Goldfinch, Canyon Towhee, Juniper Titmouse, and Western Bluebird can be found year round. In some winters there are Lewis's Woodpeckers, Western Scrub Jays, and Fox Sparrow. Look for Scott's Oriole in May through September. Gray Vireos are sometimes found nesting on the hillside past the campground. Crissal Thrasher nests in the shrubs at the east end beyond the camp sites.
Shown here is a Black-throated Sparrow east of Ayer Lake.
The convenient central location of the Desert Botanical Gardens makes it an ideal place for visitors to Phoenix to see common desert species in a short time. The ease with which many of these birds can be appraoched makes it a good location for bird photography.
The Gardens are located off Galvin Parkway, between Mill and McDowell Streets, next to the Phoenix Zoo and Papago Park. Hours are 8 AM to 8 PM, October through April; 7 AM to 8 PM, May through September. Closed Christmas Day. Phone: 480/941-1217.There is an admission charge, with discounts for seniors and children. This is one of the few places where taxi service from Sky Harbor Airport would be reasonable; it's a mere 15 minutes away. Paved and dirt walks let the visitor stroll about in a leisurely manner. Resident birds include Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Gilded Flicker (if you don't see one around the parking lot walk the Desert Peoples' Trail), Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Abert's Towhee, and occasionally Loggerhead Shrike. Black-chinned Hummingbird and Hooded Oriole are possible March through September, while White-winged Dove is common from April through August. Lesser Nighthawks are active at dusk from April through September, and Elf Owls nest in saguaro cavities around the parking lot. In winter, White-crowned Sparrows are common, while Phainopeplas are found October through May, and Costa's Hummingbirds are most often seen November through May. Look in the large trees near the Archer House for migrant warblers and winter vagrants.
Since the Gardens open rather late by bird photoghraphy clocks, I usually just work the small mesquite trees around the parking lots before the gates open. Check the large Saguaro cacti along the main entrance walk for nests - birds here are very tolerant of people and this is always an advantage to photographers.
Shown here is a Gambel's Quail at the cafe.
A large open expanse with many shallow ponds used for percolation of treated wastewater. Paths lead around the ponds. Open to the public; no fees. Located at the southwest corner of Guadalupe and Greenfield in Gilbert, about 1.5 miles south of US 60 (The Superstition Freeway).
Park in the eastern lot beyond the library, at the far east end. The best photography I've found is at the cluster of Saguaros on the raised mound just off the SE corner of this lot. In season the fruits of these Saguaros attract many birds including White-winged Doves, Curve-billed Thrashers, Cactus Wrens, and Gila Woodpeckers. The woodpeckers also nest in some of the cavities in these Saguaros. First light is excellent on these cacti. 600 mm or greater is best as it allows enough distance to keep the birds from spooking, plus it reduces the upward angle needed to frame the birds at the top of the cacti.
Water in the ponds is highly variable, depending on demand for the treated water at the numerous golf courses in the area. A single day may be all that separates a full pond from an almost empty pond. Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets nest here, but even 600 mm is too little focal length in almost all cases. Killdeer are conspicuous in wet or muddy areas and nest on open gravel at many places. Watch for distraction displays - a sign that a nest is very close. Don't accidentally step on camouflaged eggs, and don't keep parents away from nest duty.
Many ducks winter here, but again distance is usually too great for satisfactory photos.
Migrant shorebirds (Least Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, both yellowlegs species, Long-billed Dowitcher) can be seen in season, but rarely are they close enough for photography.
Waders include Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Great and Snowy Egret, and occasionally White-faced Ibis, but are usually too far out for satisfactory images.
My best results from come when I've spent a couple of hours just sitting low by the edge of one of the ponds. Keep quiet and avoid suden moves, and often the birds will accept your presence and come close enough for photos. In this manner I've gotten good shots of Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Least Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Snipe, Mourning Dove, and Red-winged Blackbird.
Small birds can be found in the shrubs along the paths. Anna's, Costa's, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds all occur at various times of the year. Verdin is common year round, as is House Finch. Abert's Towhee is here as well, but is much harder to see. White-crowned, Chipping, and Brewer's Sparrows are present in winter.
A few colonies of Burrowing Owls have been relocated to the grounds and can often be photographed at fairly close range. Best shooting is around the central pumping facility and just south of the parking lot. Owls sit on the ground by the artificial burrows, on the lashed-up "crosses" by the burrows, and in low mesquites nearby. Note that many of the birds are banded, so it may be necessary to photograph owls sitting in the tops of mesquites with the bands hidden by the foliage.
As in all Arizona locations, carry plenty of water and drink frequently. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a good brimmed hat will make things easier.
Shown here is an Anna's Hummingbird performing a pre-flight stretch.
I was surprised to find out how many species of ducks winter in the Phoenix area, and how easy they can be to photograph here. Quite unlike my experience of the same species back in New Jersey, where getting close enough for good image size was always difficult. Here in AZ the ducks winter in artificial ponds at local parks or corporate complexes where there is lots of foot traffic from joggers and pets, so the ducks get used to people. At many of these places, the ducks get used to handouts from family groups.
My current favorite location for this is a series of large ponds at the Arizona State University Research Park in Tempe, a few miles east of I-10. The Research Park is located between Elliott on the north and Warner on the south, and between McClintock on the west and the Price Loop 101 on the east.
I sit along the water's edge at the southernmost point, or on the south side of the pond on the west of the main drive through the complex. Kneepads are useful and allow some ability to move about while still staying low behind a tripod. Good subjects here are Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon, and Green Heron.
Shown here is a female Ring-necked Duck.
Papago Park is adjacent to the Phoenix Zoo, on Galvin Parkway between the zoo and the Desert Botanical Gardens. Turn left from the zoo entrance road and visit the series of artifical ponds. Ducks that winter here are some of the easiest to photogragh in the country. Alos watch for tolerant Green Herons. Don't overlook other "junk" birds such as Rock Pigeon and Great-tailed Grackle.
McKellips Park, on the north side of McKellips Road just west of McClintock/Hayden Road, has hosted a drake Euragion Wigeon for at least the past five winters. It hangs out with the flock of American Wigeons and American Coots, and comes for handouts.
The Scottsdale Greenbelt (the drainage between Scottsdale Road and Hayden Road north of McKellips) has many other local parks and ponds where ducks, coots, herons, and other waterfowl are used to people and can be approached closely.
Shown here is a Rock Pigeon (formerly Rock Dove) resting on a palm tree.