Photography Trip at the Santa Rita Experimental Range with Cameron Tescher and Delaney Linn

Sunday, November 15th, 7:00am – 12:00pm

Trip difficulty: Moderate: We will be doing a group caravan (2+ cars required) to various regions on the experimental range that area either mesquite grasslands or desert scrub (gravel and some dirt roads to be traveled with most vehicles of clearance. There will be a possibility of walking medium distances through some washes, hills, and roads (perhaps 2-3 miles most on flat ground). However, we will not cross through any fences or bushwhack heavily through any mesquite or cactus.

The Santa Rita Experimental Range is a rangeland operated by the University of Arizona since 1902 with a wide range of unique history, management, and science. One project currently occurring is on how mesquite encroachment and treatment impacts the local bird communities. To help understand this impact on birds, the range would love to collaborate with TBA to recruit photographers to help photograph some of the common species. Such species in this time of year include grassland wintering birds such as Vesper Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Mountain Bluebirds as well as many of the other residential desert and grassland birds such as Loggerhead Shrikes, Rufous-winged Sparrows, and Scaled Quails.

We also can observe birds at the Santa Rita Experimental Range station on the opposite side of the Florida Canyon (usually inaccessible to the public) which might have birds such as Bridled Titmouse, Cassin’s Kingbird, or potential something rarer within the riparian and oaks. We also will educate those on current research and history on the range. It is not required but appreciated to share photos with the Santa Rita Experimental Range to help use these photos for presentations and for science (all photos credited of course).

Meetup location: Florida Canyon Trailhead next to Santa Rita Experimental Range Headquarters

Leaders: Cameron Tescher and Delaney Linn

**Tucson Bird Alliance members can join this trip for free. Non-members can join for a non-refundable fee of $5**

Header Image: Vesper Sparrow by Alan Schmierer