Often associated with summer, a fair number of these birds remain in Arizona during the winter months, usually near water. This individual, photographed at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in Sulphur Springs Valley on December 4, 2006, is probably a "last brood" bird. Vermilion Flycatcher is one of my favorite birds.

Of the 6-10 Elegant Trogons that winter in Arizona each year, most are males. Patagonia Lake has hosted a male since at least the winter of 1998-99. Females are seen far less at this time of year. This individual, photographed at the lake on January 24, 2007, bit off a bit more than she could easily chew!

Snow Geese are regular winter visitors to Southeast Arizona, occasionally in flocks numbering over 100 but usually in small groups. Ross's Goose is also regular although never in high numbers. It's often difficult to pick out Ross's from a large flock of distant "white geese" huddled together on the water. Rarely is it as easy as in this flight shot taken on January 5, 2007 at Whitewater Draw WA.

The state bird of Arizona is large, bold and full of character. Its raucous "song" can be heard throughout the year in the southern third of the state. They also range north into Nevada and Utah along Arizona's west coast (the Colorado river). This individual was immortalized on December 1, 2005 at the San Pedro Riparian Conservation area near the San Pedro House.