After a futile attempt to add a couple more species to the 2025 list in Miami, we enjoyed a headline-free flight to Phoenix on Saturday followed by a drive north toward the Grand Canyon. On the way, we picked up six new species for 2025, highlighted by this Ferruginous Hawk just before sunset. This sighting upped my lifetime count of this bird to two.
Today, we arrived at the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway sipping tea and eating crumpets along the way. Then, we hopped off the train and made the short walk up the hill to our luxurious room at the legendary El Tovar Lodge. The El Tovar first opened its doors to canyon visitors in 1905.
Actually, we arrived at the park in our Buick mini-SUV rental after spending the night at the 'better than a tent' Grand Canyon Inn just south of the park. However, we did enjoy a splendid brunch in our exclusive dining room at the lodge while a thunder storm made its way across the canyon.
The Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays were busy early.
Happily, we saved ourselves a 200 mile round trip drive to Marble Canyon when we spotted a pair of California Condors soaring several hundred feet above the canyon rim.
And, there were dozens of White-throated Swifts engaged in their high-speed aerial acrobatics overhead. Trying to take a picture of these swifts is like trying to pluck a gnat out of the air with a pair of tweezers. I kept this one decent shot and deleted the other 70+ attempts.
... and, Wilson's Phalaropes.
After two days, we have amassed 13 new species for the year and about 35 total for the trip. Small numbers so far with the weather being cold and rainy. But, we have a long way to go on this one. Tomorrow, we finish up around Flagstaff and Sedona and head for Tucson.
Meanwhile, Henry is using his time away from Papa to teach Chip the names of his Hot Wheels. Word on the street is Chip is a better mentor to the man cubs than a pupil.
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