On a recent visit to the Salt River, I was amazed by the amount of different species that the river sustains. The “snow” birds enjoying Arizona’s winter climate abound.
The shallow river had not yet received much of the recent mountain snow meltwater.
A few trees continue to hang on in spite of the erosion of the desert sand.
Although he enticed this fish, the fisherman was unsuccessful this time.
Perhaps this cormorant will have better luck.
The great blue heron scans for a suitable spot to fish.
This bald eagle was also fishing from above.
Snowy or Great? I’m not sure which. Brian, my guide, alerted me that this egret was right over my head about 20 feet in the air. I was lucky the wind wasn’t blowing.
Brian had an excellent view of this egret!
Only his head was bathed in sunshine.
This egret stood on a heavy branch about 6 feet above the river and watched the wild horses splashing themselves.
The woodpecker was swooping and diving for insects in the meadow.
Flight of the gila woodpecker.
It was an enjoyable afternoon with my guide, Brian, at the Salt River. We managed to find all these birds and wild horses on short hikes at Phon D Sutton, Coon Bluff and Goldfield Rec. Area, all just off the Bush Highway in Tonto National Forest, north of Apache Junction, Arizona.
Avonlea Design 
Great shots Cathy, those were great white egrets and they sure were cooperating that day along with all the Salt River snow birds. Snowy egrets have a black beak and yellowish feet and are quite a bit smaller than the great whites, which have yellow beaks and black feet.
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