Chihuahua: Treasures of
the Sierra Madre
May 8 - 12, 2008 (sold out)
The largest of the 31 Mexican
states, Chihuahua, due to its interior location and altitude, offers nature
enthusiasts a glimpse into yet another aspect of Mexico's great biological
diversity. Our journey begins in Sierra Vista, AZ from from where we'll tr
avel
southeast through Chihuahuan Desert grassland and desert scrub and eventually
into the high Sierra Madre and the town of Madera which will serve as our home
base. On the way to Madera, we'll stop at the small town of Casa
Grandes and visit the excellent museum at the Paquime ruins to learn about the
rich human history of the region. From Madera, a small logging and
agricultural town at 6500 ft., we'll explore the vast pine, oak, and mixed conifer
forests of the area. In addition to many of the Madrean bird species also found
in southeast Arizona - including elegant trogon, buff-breasted flycatcher, Mexican chickadee, painted redstart,
hepatic tanager, and greater pewee - we've also found brown-backed solitaire, sulphur-bellied flycatcher, rufous-capped warbler, white-striped
woodcreeper, slate-throated redstart, russet nightingale-thrush, mountain
trogon, and some of the most memorable prizes of the area, eared quetzal, striped
sparrow, and thick-billed parrot. Thick-billed parrots, one of only two parrot species in the genus
Rhynchopsitta, are spectacular pine-nut and acorn eating birds, which, in
the Madera area, nest primarily in large cavities of quaking aspen at about 9000
ft. We'll have excellent views of these amazing birds.
We'll also travel west towards the
Rio Sirupa through the lower elevation pine forests and oak woodlands. In
addition to birds we may see up to four species of squirrel, white-sided
jackrabbit, eastern cottontail, various butterflies (we've seen about 50 species
in the area so far) and reptiles including striped plateau, Yarrow's and Clark's
spiny, bunchgrass, short-horned and Mexican plateau horned lizards, and
black-necked garter snake.
On our return to Arizona, we'll make
a stop at the charming town of Mata Ortiz, made famous by local artist Juan
Quezada who, inspired by the pottery of the people who inhabited Paquime,
resurrected the art which has flourished in his home town.
$750 per person,
double occupancy, all inclusive from Sierra Vista, AZ.
Limited to 8 participants.
Detailed itinerary and references available upon request.
~ Custom tours to
Chihuahua can also be
arranged ~
Photo: Thick-billed parrots
by John Dicus
