February 5, 2022

Bone Dry
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona
2022

This water depth gauge in Arivaca Cienega is actually measuring slightly less than zero. “Normally” this cienega (Spanish for 100 waters) is a rare wetland attracting many species of birds (and birders) to this part of Arizona.  But the new normal seems to be that the area is almost bone dry due an extended drought. The unusually wet monsoon season last summer didn’t seem to have any lasting effect. I wonder where the birds are going these days.