Our first stop after leaving Sierra Vista was at Whitewater Draw.  Here we had glimpses of Barn Owl, a few ducks & shorebirds, and a prolonged look at a Virginia Rail feeding on the exposed shoreline.

Slaughter Ranch

Verdin at the Slaughter Ranch

Then it was off to the Slaughter Ranch, where a report of a Yellow Grosbeak several days prior had us looking intently all around the beautiful grounds.

Vermilion Flycatcher on nest

Although we had no luck with the grosbeak, we did see a number of tree-loving and waterfowl migrants in this very birdy oasis.  Vermilion Flycatchers were quite common, as were kingbirds, Black & Say's Phoebes, orioles, and Verdins.  Another birder spotted a Northern Parula and a Red-faced Warbler--both great birds for this location.  

We approached the Chiricahua Mountains from the south, and checked into our accommodations.  We were fortunate to be in the Chiricahuas the same week a Tufted Flycatcher had been spotted, so we took a quick trip up to Herb Martyr Campground to scout the layout of the flycatcher's stomping grounds. As in the other high canyons, butterflies and lizards were common here.  After dinner we took a hike down the South Fork trail and spotted a Whiskered Screech-Owl.  A distant Whip-poor-will was calling, but that was the extent of the night denizens.

Herb Martyr Campground
Looking for the Tufted Flycatcher

On Thursday morning we arrived early to get a jump on the Tufted Flycatcher.  Red Crossbills, resplendent Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Townsend's & Yellow-rumped Warblers, and even more Cassin's Finches--but no Turfted Flycatcher. Pia found a juvenile horned lizard.  So after a couple of hours we headed on to South Fork--and half an hour after we left the Tufted Flycatcher returned!

Horned Lizard at Herb Martyr
 

We'd missed the Elegant Trogons in the Santa Ritas and the Huachucas, but along South Fork we had no trouble at all hearing and then seeing a pair of these flashy Arizona birding icons.  We followed their progress along the creek for several hundred yards, first getting fleeting, and then more satisfying looks. Pia got a wonderful unobstructed photo--I was happy to get this shot masked by leave and branches.

Elegant Trogon along South Fork

Despite a howling wind, we decided to try for the Bendire's Thrasher in the valley east of the Chiricahuas.  Several stops later, along Stateline Road, we had a pair of these thrashers respond to taped calls.  They weren't in the least bit shy, and we got good scope views.  Then, a few miles farther south we all got excellent looks at a Gopher Snake crossing the road.

Gopher Snake

Following dinner several of us set out after nocturnal animals and Poorwills.  We saw a herd of Javelinas in Portal and lots of rabbits along the roads, but no predators.  We heard numerous Poorwills at several stops, and the occupants of the second SUV saw one resting on the road in their headlights.  Early the next morning our SUV "chased" one down the gravel road.

Javelina

Cattle Egret at Willcox

On the way back to Phoenix we stopped at Willcox, getting fine looks at both phalaropes, more ducks, and this egret staring down a cow.