On the way out to SE Arizona's fabulous Chiricahua Mountains on June 13 2008 I made a quick morning dash to Big Morongo. Here's a Western Bluebird at Covington Park across from the Preserve.

And an Ash-Throated Flycatcher greeted me near the start of the Canyon Trail.

I returned to Big Morongo on July 11, 2008. It was hot and humid; there had been a downpour the night before, and lightning flashed all over the sky. The weather brought out the bugs, which of course brought out the birds...Here's the scene looking down Big Morongo Canyon; Canyon Trail starts in the cooler Mojave Desert and ends up 8.34 miles later in the warmer Colorado Desert.

Along Canyon Trail I spotted this California Thrasher, "common but difficult to see in chaparral and other dense brush", Sibley's Field Guide says. He was giving me good-looks out in-the-open...

At Covington Park directly across from Big Morongo, a Vermilion Flycatcher dives after spying something on the ground...

and comes up with a skipper.

Mrs Vermillion Flycatcher, also at Covington Park, July 12.

A Summer Tanager has an early-morning snack along the Mesquite Trail...

One of the resident Summer Tanagers "commutes" from Big Morongo Preserve across the way to the trees at Covington Park. Here's a look at him at Covington Park, July 12.

Here's another look at the beautiful Summer Tanager...