“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
One Colorful Bird. No, Make That Two Birds
Elegant trogon. — Wikimedia photo
at Two
I hunted for the elegant trogon twice in Madera Canyon here in Southeastern Arizona – and did not find it. For my third try, a detour on one of my annual trips from Utah to Texas, I hired a bird guide out of Sierra Vista, and made a reservation at a Sierra Vista hotel to spend a couple of nights.
Three days before my trip was to begin, I bought Gypsy Lee, the small RV in which I would soon live in and travel in for nine years. I then switched my hotel reservation to an RV park reservation, which is how Sierra Vista became the first place I hooked up my RV. I still remember the trepidation I felt about that virgin event. I had to purchase a special sewer connection sold by the park. It was a connection that I never had to use again, and once I had the hang of it, I could hook up the water, electricity and sewer to my RV in just a couple of minutes.
I found my elegant trogon up Garden Canyon in Huachuca Mountains, just an hour and a half away from Tucson. . — Wikimedia photo
But back to that elegant trogon, which at the time was just as important to me as getting familiar with my new home on wheels.
The guide took me and two other birders onto Fort Huachuca in his VW Camper, and then on a hike up Garden Canyon. We hadn’t gone far when he pointed out an elegant trogon quietly sitting on a branch above a small stream. I could hardly breathe. This is one colorful bird.
I was the one, meanwhile, who saw the second trogon, and pointed it out. As our quartet of gazes shifted between the two birds, the first flew over to the second, and mated with her. It was all over in a matter of seconds.
I thought about this sighting, which took place on May 9, 2004, because I’m been thinking of a return trip to Garden Canyon, which I have never visited again. Nor have I seen another trogon.
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That bird is such a beauty!
Thanks Bob
The trogons are such lovely birds, and it’s always a pleasure to see one here in Ecuador as well. I hope that your next trogon outing goes as well as this one did!
Lots of birds in Ecuador. Do you live there, or are you visiting?
I have lived here since 2008,… Today I was thinking about your post.. we are lucky to have trogons, quetzals, motmots, toucans, aracaris — the birdlife is amazing…they add so much color in the trees!
What a handsome fellow! I’ve never seen an elegant trogon (or even an inelegant one) in the wild, but I liked the Tucson area and would like to go back. If I do, I’ll be sure to plan a detour to Garden Canyon!
I hope you get to see an elegant trogon. They are indeed a colorful bird.
I remember your excitement at beginning your adventure… you promised to always share this with and you did .. I felt all the excitement of the trips you took because you shared .. that’s why your book will be so well liked
Thank you. You are my biggest fan. I love it.
The bird is a beauty and one that was unfamiliar to me. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, and thanks for commenting JoHawk
What a beautiful bird!
Thanks Tierney
I saw this bird one time deep in the Huachucas. I am familiar with Gardner Canyon. Southeast Arizona is a treasure trove of beautiful birds, raptors and snakes of all kinds.