BirdingPI.com’s resident curmudgeon(s) notwithstanding, we’re back in Arizona from this past August, finishing up at the confluence of Warsaw Canyon & California Gulch, with more lovely Blue Grosbeak (blue = male, brown = female):
From the confluence, it was time to head up California Gulch Rd towards Ruby, AZ:
Everywhere, lots of beautiful Velvetpod Mimosa (Mimosa dysocarpa) in bloom:
Next stop, Ruby Lakes – see point B on the annotated map in the previous post.
“Ruby Lakes” is upper and lower dams maybe used as a water supply for Ruby, AZ. (Read about Ruby, AZ here and here.) Upper dam is silted in, the lower dam still retains water.
Following shot is below the upper dam, with a Velvetpod Mimosa-covered hillside:
In the thick tangle of willow, etc. trees below the upper dam, great to see a foraging Wilson’s Warbler:
This is the duckweed-covered pond/lake at the lower dam:
Coming up soon, the last (but not least) of California Gulch!
The Blue Grosbeak is gorgeous! Too bad it doesn’t hang around Tucson! (or does it???)
Loved the VM shots!
Interesting about Ruby Lakes….2.6 miles to the old mining town, but not at that town! (there is a big lake at the town site, from the old mining days) Once upon a time, when they let visitors see the old town, it was quite interesting to wander around and see all the old buildings…and the lake!
Blue Grosbeak definitely in the greater Tucson area, but more likely to be seen in places like Catalina State Park, e.g., in a wild mesquite bosque but not so much a suburban environment. (But you never know!)
This is just speculation, but can’t help but wonder if the lakes right in Ruby were contaminated from mining operations, e.g., one is literally called “Mineral Lake.” Plus there’s what appear to be old processing tanks adjacent, + something that looks like (on the satellite map) tailings or waste piles/fields.
There is a dam/pond upstream from Mineral Lake, but perhaps Ruby Lakes was for a cleaner water supply, or recreation (?) They’re in the same California Gulch watershed, but fairly far downstream, as noted.
Anyway, a fascinating spot for sure.
You are probably correct about the lakes being contaminated at the old mine sight. Could the Ruby Lakes water been sent to the town for drinking purposes? They ever had an ice making facility at the town!
Perhaps yes!