Pt 10 Where Birds and Sunsets Dance: A Day at Wilcox Playa
Discovering the untouched beauty of Arizona's hidden gem: birdwatching bliss and sunset wonders in the heart of the desert. Was it a bust?
We tucked our coach into a little slice of the Southeast, got to know the locals in the adjoining bar and fell asleep under the twinkling stars dreaming of my adventure for today just outside of Wilcox Arizona. This week I am adventuring a little bit in Southern Arizona.
Need to catch up?
After a good nights sleep and only one
day of adventuring before we leave Arizona, I decided to checkWilcox Playa Wildlife Area, a mere 14 minutes away located in Cochise county. And you know you are there by the landscape change with a little more foliage and peaks at the water. This barren flat land at an elevation of 4,136 feet is the lowest part or Wilcox basin located at the northern end of Sulphur springs valley.
This area does not draw many crowds unless you are a bird watcher then you are in on the speak easy. Well, I should take that back. Once a year the Wings Over Wilcox Association holds its Birding & Nature festival in Wilcox honoring the Sand cranes and other migratory birds. They also have geology, local history, wine making and tasting, and historic working cattle ranch tours.
The wildlife Area supports thousands of birds of all different species. From Mid-October through to early March is the best time to see these migratory birds. The sand cranes are the big appeal, with more than 20,000 calling this area home for the winter.
I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the white-faced ibis.
But, alas, they had all flown the coop. The watershed hosts crested caracara, various raptors, song birds and sandhill cranes by the thousands along with native fowl, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Spread out on approximately 600 acres Wilcox Playa Wildlife Area is a fascinating humble natural area located in southeastern Arizona, near the town of Willcox. It is part of the larger Wilcox Playa, which is a a broad dry alkaline lakebed or "playa" that fills with water during rainy seasons, creating a temporary wetland environment. Originally known as Pluvial Lake Cochise, the playa is usually dry but can become a shallow lake after heavy rains, particularly during the summer monsoon season and winter rains, thus, the birds know it is the hottest place to be that and plenty of sunshine. In fact With the area boasts 356 days of sunshine per year.
The hike in is a mix of white sand and Arizona red dirt. The trail is lined with typical fauna of mesquite, saltbushes, old cottonwood trees, Palo verdes, creosote and non-native tamarisk, among others, all surrounded by Red Bird hills Winchester Mountain and Dos Cabezas Mountains. The closer you get to the water the more cotton wood trees and semi-desert grassland, saltgrass and Alkali Sacaton, you encounter. Be sure to bring a hat and some shades and a lot of water to combat the aired desert dryness.
By now you have guessed it is
renowned for its birdwatching opportunities. The area is part of the Sulphur Springs Valley, a critical stopover for migratory birds. Efforts are made to protect and manage this unique ecosystem to maintain its biodiversity and ecological significance. It’s a must-visit for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and anyone interested in the natural history of the region.
I was hoping to catch the birds and I missed them, as we came through early March and they were all gone. I had planned my visit to catch the birds at sunset and it truly did not disappoint. Well, the lack of birds did. But the sunset buried any disappointments immediately. I enjoyed the stark beauty of the desert landscape against the blue of the temporary reservoir and the dramatic Southeast sunset was incredible. The entire area transforms into a breathtaking vast, open canvas. As the sun begins its descent towards the horizon, the sky ignites with a palette of warm, vibrant colors—deep oranges, rich purples, and soft pinks blend together, casting a magical glow over the landscape.
The distant mountains create a purple and pink rugged silhouette against the sky, their edges softened by the fading light. The air is still, with only the faintest whisper of a breeze stirring the desert grass. It was time for me to hike back to my car about 20 minutes away. It was such a treat to watch the ever changing landscape with clouds catching the last rays of sunlight, their edges glowing like embers turning the earth a vivd hue of orange and magenta. The desert night fast approaching alerted by the endless chatter of the singing Lucy's and Yellow Warblers finding a roost for the night. I tried counting the birds distinctive sounds but lost count. I wonder if they are chatting about their day to each other? Such a magical hour.
As I reached my car, the sun has dipped below the horizon. The colors shifted to deeper hues, the oranges turning to rust, the purples to indigo. I drove for just a little bit and found myself pulled over on the road taking pictures of the last of the rays while the cows quietly munched on grass. A fitting end to the tranquility of the Wilcox Playa area and Wilcox itself. One adventure over and my mind was already turning to the next one.
A question for you,
Have you been to Arizona? What is your favourite trip? Or, if you could come to Arizona, what would you want to do, see or experience first? I have a special blue button for you right there 👇👇 to share your thoughts with me,
Next week, we are shaking the dust of Arizona off of tires and headed to our next adventure in New Mexico staying at our first winery and fully boondocking. If you are subscribed, you will be alerted as soon as the next story drops. Once you do that and are feeling all kinds of fuzzy feels, how about buying me a tea?
If you are enjoying my work and want to keep the creative engines running, consider buying me a tea or, a couple of gallons of diesel? After all, even creativity needs a bit of a fuel boost now and then! ☕️🚍 Whether it’s a tea to spark new ideas or diesel to power through the tough spots, your support means the world to me. Thanks for keeping me inspired and on the move!"
Thank you for reading, you are the best! If you feel like sharing, please do, I would be most grateful with that too. Here is a special share button to do so.
Have a great week and adventure on
~Karen
