In the realm of the Flicker
Yesterday I went on another extreme birding expedition, this time up the Weatherford Trail on the San Francisco Peaks to the *Doyle Saddle, the spot between Doyle and Freemont peaks. This is a pretty long hike of about 12 miles round trip and not for the inexperienced hiker. Along the way to the saddle you'll climb six miles of steep rocky trail, meander through shimmering aspen groves, burrow into claustrophobic tunnels of overhanging fir trees, sweat your way across exposed mountainside, and possibly grimace through a hail storm or two.
I've done this hike twice before and every time it was a butt-kicker. Yesterday was no exception. It's not as steep as Elden Lookout Trail but it's a lot longer and the elevation is higher, making Weatherford a challenge for all but the most fit hikers. If you do this hike be sure to bring plenty of water, food, rain gear if there's a chance of precip, and your camera! Going prepared will definitely increase your enjoyment.
There were more birds up there than you could shake a stick at, making it a birder's paradise. There were hummingbirds, American Robins, noisy gatherings of Steller's Jays, Hairy/Downy Woodpeckers, finches, Dark-eyed Juncos, Ravens, Crows, and once I found myself surrounded on all sides by a curious flock of Mountain Chickadees and White-breasted Nuthatches. I think I spent more time looking through my binoculars at all the birds than I did walking!
My favorite woodpecker, the Northern Flicker, seemed to be the king of the mountain. I think I saw more flickers along those six miles of trail than I have all season down in Flagstaff. At times the forest seemed positively flush with them.
I believe the above bird is a female Northern Flicker as it lacks the red cheek patterns of male flickers. Note the well-defined "crescent" on the chest. Unlike the flickers you see around town these truly wild birds were shy and wouldn't stay still long or allow you to approach closely for a decent photograph.
I was also treated to a rare sight: a Dark-eyed Junco perched in a tree singing its little heart out. So what? you ask. Juncos are a dime-a-dozen and common around every backyard bird feeder in Flagstaff. And you're right. But to see one in the wild, in its natural habitat and exhibiting its natural behaviors was something special to behold.
Of course, the expedition wasn't all fun. Late in the afternoon about two miles from the trailhead the monsoon storm clouds that had been building all day tore open and released a punishing rain and hail storm down upon me. I guess they figured I had spent too much time enjoying the birding or something. Fortunately I had my rain gear along and stayed dry except for my feet which were soon sopping wet from the torrent of muddy water gushing down the trail. Luckily I didn't have too much farther to walk and didn't develop blisters.
I have some more bird pictures to show off but I'll save them for separate posts later.
* If you look on the topographic maps of the peaks you'll see Doyle Saddle labeled as Freemont Saddle. I believe this is incorrect as all the Forest Service trail signs refer to the spot as Doyle Saddle.
