This summer, we had the chance to explore three sky islands in Sonora: Sierra La Madera, Sierra Los Ajos, and Sierra San Diego, which are part of the Bavispe Flora and Fauna Protection Area, south of Bisbee and Douglas, Arizona. During these visits, our goal was to search for and document springs to expand the database for our Spring Seeker program.
On each adventure, we were joined by volunteers, staff with Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Natural Areas, and students from the Universidad de Sonora and Universidad de la Sierra. Everyone was always eager to search for springs, an activity that requires a great deal of physical effort, as it often involves walking long distances through canyons, forests, hillsides, and areas that are difficult to access.
In addition to searching for springs, each trip became an opportunity for everyone to connect with nature and learn about the wonderful creatures that live in our Sky Islands. Some participants shared a passion for photography and birdwatching, so they took advantage of the chance to watch for movement among the branches and listen for birdsong in the trees, capturing photos and documenting as many species as possible. Here, we’re sharing some of the highlights from their observations.
Sierra La Madera
Sierra Los Ajos
Sierra San Diego
Observing and listening to birds in nature is not only very relaxing, but can also help us better understand the state of ecosystems, since some birds depend on mature forests, grasslands, or bodies of water to survive. Having a bird list also gives us a better scientific description and understanding of each of the places we visit. On these trips we set out looking for a spring and came back with photos of birds, plants, reptiles, insects, and many other forms of life we encountered along the way. Thanks to Gerardo Martínez and Miguel Enríquez, who shared most of the photos used for this blog post.
Remember: a photo taken during a hike can become a scientific record that helps build knowledge about a site and its biodiversity. Learn more about how to share your observations on iNaturalist.