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Post by NAU Wildlife Society Admin on Mar 11, 2004 17:33:54 GMT -5
So do you have any secret places that you go to and wouldn't mind sharing with us how to get there? But even if you can't reveal the secret, let us know what draws you to this place and what you've seen there. There are some amazing areas out there, along the road and off the beaten path, we just got to take the first step.....
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Mar 14, 2004 15:03:08 GMT -5
I have always been drawn to a place called Fry Canyon that is South of Flagstaff. My dog, my harmonica and my binos usually head down there for some close to home peace and quiet. During warbler season its a great place to see many different species including the gorgeous Red-faced Warbler flittering around the tops of the spruces. Early one morning I had the great pleasure of bearing witness to a preformance given by a Hermit Thrush who was uncharacteristically not shy at all. Perched in a oak thicket its sang and sang, water like and melodious, and I drew a picture of it as I soaked in this offering by a feathered muse. There are also a couple of sites down this canyon with many ancient human signs to be seen. To get to it from Flagstaff head down 89 A to Sedona for quite a few miles. The canyon is in the large dip right before the dirt road that leads to Kelly Canyon on the left (well before the Oak Creek Viewing area above the Switchbacks). There is a sign along the road that says Fry Canyon right before you go over the crossing. There isn't really anywhere good to park except for on the left side of the road right after you cross the canyon. From here there is access to the canyon on the otherside through a gate that leads to an old dirt road. Either side of the canyon is great to wander down, and trails exist along the creek beds. If you hear a harmonica coming from one of the many pools down the canyon, come say hello  |
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Mar 15, 2004 11:49:38 GMT -5
For birding that's close to Flagstaff, especially for Anseriformes, rails, shorebirds, raptors and other migrants, you can't beat Kachina Wetlands. Great birding, great views of the peaks, and walking round it is a nice way to start or end any day. To get there just head out of Flagstaff on I-17 towards Phoenix and Kachina Village Blvd will be your first exit past the Pulliam Airport exit. Take a right off the off-ramp and then take another sharp right onto Tovar Trail. As you drive down, flanked by the interstate on one side and a meadow on the other, at .5 miles (starting the odometer at the begining of Tovar Trail.) there is a small pull out to your right, and a small pond to your left. This is sometimes a great preview area of whats to come. Keep heading down Tovar Tr., it will eventually curve to the left and become dirt, and at the very end of this road (1.5 miles) you'll take a right onto Lohali Trail, and this will end pretty abrubtly at a gate with a parking area to the right. Get out and start walking in the directions of the peaks and have fun!  |
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Post by eaglewoman on Mar 23, 2004 14:38:43 GMT -5
My favorite place to go for birds and large wildlife sightings is Ashurst Lake. I love driving down Lake Mary Road, where I often see various waterfowl, raptors, elk and mule deer. When I get to Ashurst, a great place to game fish for trout, I chill by the lake, catch my limit, watch the Bald Eagles and Ospreys dive for fish and the harriers soar! Sometimes, I make special trips just to bird. I've seen Kestrels up close, and all sorts of Flag birds. It's peaceful.  It's my favorite place, if you can't tell!!!!! |
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Post by Chromiusdomius on Apr 2, 2004 21:38:11 GMT -5
Howdy Eaglewoman! I was fishing with Stinger at Ashurst a couple weeks ago and we had the chance to watch one of the bald eagles attempt to snatch up some lunch from the lake. Unfortunately he came up empty handed; unless he was practicing catch and release!  The Kaibab squirrels and bluejays at Kaibab lake were pretty cool; not to mention, the squirrels were quite trusting.  Do you know of a good place near Flagstaff to spot some cats? |
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Stinger
Mexican Grey Wolf Member
Cowboy Up!!
Posts: 183
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Post by Stinger on Apr 2, 2004 22:35:31 GMT -5
Hey Chromius, If the eagle did not get anything from the lake, wouldn't that be called empty taloned instead of empty handed?  ;D ;D Yeah, those Stellar's Jays at Kaibab were really cool and very pretty! Did we get any good pictures of them? If anyone wants to see how trusting the squirrels were, check out my website under the Brotherhood page for a picture of Chromius and his squirrel budy. |
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Post by eaglewoman on Apr 5, 2004 13:31:18 GMT -5
Hey everyone, Check out Scholz lake! It's sort of a bird sanctuary. It's so quiet and private (at least no one else has ever been there when I have). If you want to see at least 10 different species of ducks, cormorants, herons, egrets, kestrels, osprey, a host of passerines, and big guys like elk and antelope, then Scholz Lake is the place for you! To get there: Take I-40 west to Parks road and turn left. Stay on parks road...it turns into a dirt road around garland prarie. Don't forget to look out for elk and antelope  . You'll take that road for about 10 miles (give or take) until you get to a small community in which you have to go left or right. Go right on that road for a few miles until you see the Scholz lake turn off on the right. The turn off road is about 1 mile long. Park at the trail head and hike in on the the trail about .25 miles and you are there!  |
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Post by Chromiusdomius on Apr 6, 2004 22:58:29 GMT -5
Howdy Eaglewoman!
Scholz lake sounds incredible! I think I know where I will be going to take photos next.
I just read your post and now I feel stupid. I WAS going to ask you how to get there. I think that is a sign saying that I need to go to bed. Thanks for the tip!
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Apr 21, 2004 9:47:58 GMT -5
For the high desert at its best, I would recommend Raymond Buffalo Ranch Wildlife Area, East of Flagstaff. Manager Dave Belitsky runs this amazing place where the Buffalo really do roam and the deer and the antelope play. Not only are there roads that lead off to many amazing canyons and grasslands, but there are watering holes there that can turn up any number of bird species passing through. If your lucky, you might see one of the 2 herds of American Bison that roam this beautiful area. Heres how to get there: Head East on I-40 (towards Winslow and Gallup NM),exit Raymond Buffalo Ranch Rd (mile post 225?) and turn right at the stop sign. Follow the signs to the left and back over dirt roads to the ranch, approximately 20 minutes back in the desert. The campground is above the area where all the buildings are, just follow the road inbetween the buildings to the right, and go up the ridge. On top of the slope there is a campground and that's where we'll meet up and stay that night. The road is pretty accessible out there, so don't worry about high clearance. |
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Aug 16, 2004 14:29:43 GMT -5
There is a great new bird list for the Kachina Wetlands are if any of you are interested in birding out there. I highly recommend it, and there are directions to it on this thread as well. I posted it on the NAU TWS website, just click to: ...hold on.....i havn't got it up yet |
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Oct 13, 2004 18:36:51 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]RED MOUNTAIN[/glow] There is a very interesting place to gp hiking around in thats pretty close to Flagstaff. In fact, its one of the strangest, and most beautiful places I have ever been to. Its called Red Mountain, and its still a geologic mystery to local geologists. As far as viewing wildlife, there is great opportunites to see nesting raptors and Ravens in many of the alcoves that are found in the huge, red rock ampitheatre. We've also seen rattlesnakes along the trail, and on the drive up we've seen coyotes, fox, and many Elk and Deer. To reach Red Mountain from Flagstaff, head northwest on Highway 180. This highway snakes through the central part of the San Francisco Volcanic Field on its way toward the Grand Canyon. About 25 miles from Flagstaff (at milepost 247 along the shoulder of the highway), turn left at a large Forest Service sign that announces the Red Mountain Geologic Area. Drive about a quarter mile on the dirt road to a parking space at the trailhead. The walk from there to the base of Red Mountain takes about 30 minutes. Hope you all take the time to check this place out...it is pretty amazing. Here is a picture of it......but the picture does not do the colors justice. Also I threw a few pictures up on the Circadian Rhythms webpage, here is a link to one of them that shows the colors a bit better........... |
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Kitfox
Mexican Grey Wolf Member
Posts: 149
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Post by Kitfox on Oct 13, 2004 23:20:44 GMT -5
Wow that place looks awesome...I think I'll try and get up there this Saturday since I have the day off of work. Thanks for the directions and info Crow. =) I hope I see a fox...I still haven't seen one since I came up here. Another question somewhat related to this thread: Are there any zoos in Flag, or are the closest ones down in Phoenix?  |
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Kitfox
Mexican Grey Wolf Member
Posts: 149
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Post by Kitfox on Nov 21, 2004 14:13:11 GMT -5
Walnut Canyon is a great place to see wildlife. I've only been up there once but I saw several mule deer and some elk. Plus, the canyon is beautiful! There's a great hiking trail and a little museum thing. The other plus is its real close to NAU. If you don't want to travel far that's an excellent choice. It's off the I-40 about two miles east of Flagstaff Mall. There's signs before the exit so you can't miss it. |
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It's my favorite place, if you can't tell!!!!! 
. You'll take that road for about 10 miles (give or take) until you get to a small community in which you have to go left or right. Go right on that road for a few miles until you see the Scholz lake turn off on the right. The turn off road is about 1 mile long. Park at the trail head and hike in on the the trail about .25 miles and you are there! 
