Saguaro Lake Ranch

Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)

The next time you bird along the Bush Highway, take a pit stop at Saguaro Lake Ranch.  The scenery is great and you can relax on the cool grass under the mesquite trees. You'll have a nice view into the mid-canopy of willows and cottonwoods along the Salt River.  In winter months there are a variety of ducks on the river.  Year round you'll see osprey, heron, egrets and flycatchers.  This April and May the Vermilion Flycatchers put on a good show, perching, swooping and diving around right in front of me.  Bald Eagles nest along the Salt and at Saguaro Lake, so you might see a flyby.

While you're here, check into the horseback riding and kayaking they offer, and the rental of the little pueblos.  It would be nice to be here to bird at sunset and sunrise, and bird by kayak or horseback!  The buildings aren't wheelchair accessible, and the rough cobblestone porch of the lodge makes for a bumpy ride.  But I still like to stop here to see the horses, and feel the cool breeze coming off the river.  The lodge and horseback riding are open October 1st through May 1st, and the kayaking is offered year round.  For Reservations:  Call  (480)984-2194

Saguaro Lake Ranch :   http://www.saguarolakeranch.com/
Horseback riding: http://www.saguarolaketrailrides.com/
Kayaking: You will get wet - Kayak from the top of the Salt River--float below thousand foot cliffs and beside majestic saguaros in the Sonoran Desert. The ranch offers kayaking during the fall, winter, and spring (summer kayaking is offered by the kayaking company). There are two options: (1) Kayak on Saguaro Lake. They provide equipment transportation. (2) Kayak on the Salt River between Phon D Sutton and Granite Reef. They provide equipment and transportation back to your car. Launch Times:  8am - 9am - 10am, reservations required, call 480-984-2194.  E-mail: SaguaroLakeRanch@gmail.com
Click image below to view slideshow:

Birding on the Desert Belle

On a recent unplanned trip to Saguaro Lake, I happened upon the Desert Belle tour boat and decided to hop on for a ride. The boat was very accessible, I just rolled right on. Most passengers opted to go upstairs, so we had the lower deck and cabin mostly to ourselves. I told the tour guides we were interested in seeing birds, so they were sure to point them out along the way, even slowing down and angling the boat for the best views! We saw American Coots, a few Western Grebes, Vultures, a Great Blue Heron, and groups of Cormorants fishing along the shore. We even saw a Bald Eagle perched on a cliff above the lake(they are known to nest on the surrounding cliffs). After the boat tour we dined at the Lakeshore Restaurant on their outdoor patio overlooking the lake. We managed to see even more birds as we dined - Mallards, Great-tailed Grackles, Cactus Wren, Hummmingbirds, Verdin, and Gila Woodpeckers. Also known to be seen in the area are Belted Kingfisher, Green Heron, and Osprey. For details about the Desert Belle Paddleboat Tours, click HERE. Call to reserve tickets at 1-877-749-2848. To see the great menu at the Marina's Lakeshore Restaurant, click HERE.