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FRIENDS OF CAVE CREEK CANYON
Our mission is to inspire appreciation and understanding of the beauty, biodiversity and legacy of Cave Creek Canyon through volunteer work and outreach programs.
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This photo was taken at Vista Point, a trail of only 200 yards that leads to a viewpoint overlooking Cave Creek Canyon's forest canopy that gives a good idea of the canyon's geography. By Tony Donaldson |
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Willow Tank
Arizona’s Willow Tank has been one of the better bird watching sites in the Portal/Rodeo area outside of Cave Creek Canyon. Rick Taylor, author of A Birder’s Guide to Southeast Arizona, calls Willow Tank “arguably the most important pond [for bird watching] on the eastern flank of the Chiricahuas.”
This wildlife resource has been an exceptionally valuable source of water for birds and other wildlife for decades. It has been a consistent destination for birders visiting the Portal/Rodeo area, Cave Creek Canyon, and both the Chiricahua and Peloncillo Mountains. Some of the rarities seen over the years here include Tri-colored Heron, Trumpeter Swan, Green Kingfisher, Brown Pelican, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Field Sparrow.
To visit Willow Tank:
Willow Tank is reached from the junction of State Line Road and Sulphur Canyon Road, south of Rodeo. The junction can be reached by driving south from Portal Road along State Line Road about 4 miles to Sulphur Canyon Road, or by turning west from the NM Highway 80/State Line Road intersection. Willow Tank is located 0.6 miles west along Sulphur Canyon Road, on the right, where a sign for the Wildlife Pond and small parking pullout can be found.
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Volunteers Labor to Rehab and Restore Willow Tank
On the warmest, windless Willow Tank Work Day ever, 14 hard-working volunteers oiled the two blinds and kiosk, cleaned the burrowing owl nest boxes, pruned mesquites, planted milkweed ( Asclepias fascicularis ) and coyote gourd ( Curcurbita digitata ) seeds. One even experienced a water adventure. Everyone felt good contributing and after summer rains come, watch out for the coyote gourds that will engulf the planet, or hopefully just the tank. Thank you to everyone who participated and to those who visit our newest water park!
–Rene Donaldson
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Photos by Rene and Tony Donaldson |
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Deborah Herczog plants "mudballs" with Joan and Rick Schneider in background |
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Joan and Rick Schneider, former VIC hosts, return to help water |
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Eskild Petersen prunes mesquite with heavy-duty loppers |
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Susan Dalby plants "mudballs" composed of seeds to stem erosion
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Ron Quinn prunes mesquite |
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Aaron Smith and Reed Peters
oil blind
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Left: Tony Donaldson assists Reed Peters prepare for his maiden voyage
Right: Three "itinerant" workers after clearing out burrowing owl nest boxes, left to right, Steve Wolfe, Tony Donaldson, and Jeff Wakefield
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Reed Peters is all smiles as he heads off to the shore |
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Water-tight bags are essential for any water exposition |
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Reed makes landfall on WT Island but it doesn't look like his raft or water-tight bags held up on the perilous voyage |
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Bagging thistles and burdock |
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American Woodcock in Cave Creek Canyon!
Article and photo by Lori Conrad
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There once was a visitor to Cave Creek.
He would stay here for almost a week.
Never found in this state,
its presence was GREAT!
His photos, the birders did seek.
A visiting birder, Harriet Marble, was driving down the road just above Stewart Campground in early November when a strange looking bird landed next to the road. She stopped and took its photo, thinking it was a Wilson's Snipe. Turned out to be the first Arizona record of an American Woodcock!
This is a shorebird that avoids the shore, spending most of its life in wet meadows & forest clearings in the eastern United States. Also known by the affectionate name "Timberdoodle", due to its peculiar rocking gait while walking along the forest floor. They forage by probing the soil with their long bills, searching for earthworms. They also eat small amounts of plant material, which this bird found along the edges of the still running Cave Creek.
Many fortunate birders were able to see this amazing migrant, some for the first time ever, so were able to add a "life" bird to their lists. This quirky bird quickly became a celebrity in the birding world!
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Butterflies by Carol Comeau |
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Common/White Checkered-Skipper |
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Common Buckeye with
closed wings
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Common Buckeye with
open wings
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Cerambicids by Ray Mendez
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I know whenever we start on a wood splitting project, my wife has become inured to it all coming to an end at the most unexpected moments. After all, the wood is home to a myriad of critters, and the act of splitting is much like the old Hollywood movie gag where half the building falls down and the residents are caught taking a bath, cooking or performing other daily tasks. In one piece of oak, we found a group of Cerambicid beetles, in various stages of development, living inside. Cerambicids, also known as longhorn beetles, often come to our lights on summer nights. They can be a bit scary as many are large up to 3”, have long legs, antennas and sometimes crash into lights, flailing about as they attempt to get upright. However, these magnificent beetles are important decomposers of wood and a valuable food resource for woodpeckers and any other critter that can reach them. The next time you pick up or cut down a tree, just think of the amazing life living within it. |
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Bobcat pictures by Lori Conrad |
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Elegant Trogon in December!
Seen at Cave Creek Ranch eating pyracantha and hackberries.
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Trogon Photos by Carol Comeau |
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Ferruginous Hawk
By Tony Donaldson
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By Tony Donaldson
Northern Flickers [Red-Shafted]
Below: Red-naped Sapsucker
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Bridled Titmouse by Alice Wakefield
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Last of the Autumn Colors by Steve Wolfe |
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Moon and Venus by Alice Wakefiueld |
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Friends of Cave Creek Canyon Board Members |
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Bob Ashley
Sheri Ashley
Geoff Bender
Rick Beno
Rene Donaldson
Rolf Koford
Pat Parran
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Reed Peters
Kim Vacariu
Jeff Wakefield
Alice Wakefield
Cecil Williams
Mike Williams
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Help us thank our Business Members who have given generously to Friends of Cave Creek Canyon. Without their assistance, we would be hard pressed to accomplish our goals. Click on the underlined names to check out their websites.
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A.S.K. Pest Control
Chiricahua Chef
Ed Newbold Wildlife Artist
Painted Pony
Sky Islands Grill & Grocery
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Cable Publishing
Daussin & Associates
Migration Taco
OL' Morani Ranch
Sky Island Rolfing
Terry Miller
Umphres Propane
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Would you or a friend like to submit and article for the FOCCC Newsletter? Our goal is to share information about current events in the Canyon.
Always include: your email, pictures w/credits (jpeg format) and text. We can't guarantee your article will be used but all submissions will be reviewed and considered. Remember to keep it relevant, timely, and brief.
Send your plain text article with photos attached via email to
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