For the past week I've been visiting the Parker Strip, a small patch of rugged wilderness at the western edge of Arizona, along the Colorado River. The river serves as the boundary between Arizona and California and both sides share most of the same characteristics. The river somehow squeezes between the many mountains and rock piles, with little usable land left over. The few narrow stretches of land that are available have been used for homes or RV parks. The photos below illustrate the typical situation (on the California side).
This area is extremely hot during the summer, often exceeding 100F and getting up to 115-120F occasionally, but mild in the winter. Mid 40s is the average low and mid 60s to low 70s the daytime high range. Annual rainfall averages just over five inches.
The many "snowbirds" that come here each Winter increase the population substantially, as much as two to three fold. In addition to all the water related activities, there are a few golf courses, including one near me called Emerald Canyon. It is amazing how the course is laid out, winding among numerous mountains. The several canyons it occupies are beautifully landscaped and maintained.
The small town of Parker is about ten miles south and is the county seat. It was founded in 1908 and named for Ely Parker, the first Indian to serve as a U.S. commissioner (I think it was as Agent in the Bureau of Indian Affairs). Parker Dam, which forms Lake Havasu, is a few miles north. Lake Havasu City, 25 miles north, has developed rapidly in recent years and now is much larger than Parker.
The Bill Williams River, named for an early explorer, runs for 46 miles, from Alamo Lake to Lake Havasu. A National Wildlife Refuge has been designated along the entire path of the river, to protect the river and the many bird species that have been recorded there. Several internet sites, including Google Maps, indicated a 55 mile road goes through the refuge and loops back to the main highway. In reality, the road ends after three miles, where a flood took a large tree down and filled the road with debris. Bummer.
During my short drive in the refuge, I saw only a few birds. One was an American kestrel enjoying a lizard lunch.
Parker (the town) was founded on the Colorado River Indian Reservation , and half the town still sits on the reservation. About 25% of the town's population are members of the tribe. In addition to a large casino, it appears that the tribe owns quite a few other businesses. Since my expedition into the NWR didn't go so well, I took a drive into a tribal park and found a few birds to share.
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| American Kestral |
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| Vermilion Flycatcher |
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| Vermilion Flycatcher |
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| Loggerhead Shrike | | | |
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