When The Desert Breathes
There is a moment every summer in Southern Arizona when the desert seems to exhale.
a juvenile Great Horned Owl stays in the shade to stay cool
After weeks of shimmering heat, towering thunderheads begin climbing into the afternoon sky. The scent of creosote drifts through the air after the first drops of rain, washes begin to flow, and a landscape that looked lifeless only hours before suddenly bursts with movement. For birders, monsoon season isn't just a welcome break from triple-digit temperatures. It is one of the most exciting times to experience nature in Southeastern Arizona.
Northern Beardless Tyrannulet
Early mornings become refreshingly comfortable, making it easier to explore favorite birding hotspots before the storms develop. As the desert awakens, birds respond with renewed energy. Vermilion Flycatchers flash brilliant scarlet along desert washes. Cactus Wrens scold from the cholla, while Greater Roadrunners patrol freshly soaked ground in search of an easy meal to feed their babies. Hummingbirds seem especially active as blooming plants provide a fresh buffet of nectar.
a juvenile Northern Cardinal with Blue Grosbeak
The monsoon transforms more than the birds. Dust settles, mountains emerge in crisp detail, and the Sonoran Desert wears shades of green many visitors never expect to see. Even the light changes. Golden morning sunshine gives way to dramatic afternoon skies where shafts of sunlight break through the towering clouds, creating unforgettable scenes for bird photographers and nature lovers alike.
male Blue Grosbeak
Yet the beauty of monsoon season comes with a healthy reminder that nature deserves our respect.
Thunderstorms can build with astonishing speed. A blue sky overhead can become an electrical spectacle in less than an hour. Lightning is not just a distant show across the mountains. It can strike miles ahead of a storm. If you hear thunder, it's time to leave exposed areas and head for the safety of your vehicle. During a recent visit to Nogales, Mexico, I got to experience this first hand.
Taken from video on TikTok/local news station
These photos show the devastation that happened within just minutes of the city alarm going off in Nogales. I was entering Mexico as the storm was building. I moved my car to the top of a hill to possibly prevent what these pictures show here. I made it inside a local restaurant as the flooding took over the streets.
photo taken from a local news station
Flash flooding is another desert surprise. A dry wash that looks perfectly harmless can become a rushing river within minutes, even if it isn't raining where you're standing. Storms many miles away can send walls of water racing downstream. Never drive or hike through flowing water. The desert always wins that contest.
Thankfully this lady was rescued before she entered a powerful current that would have pulled her under. The raging waters also carry many many objects that can be deadly. Seek higher ground. Sadly 3 lives were lost on this day.
taken in the grasslands, a somewhat rare Common Nighthawk peents overhead
After a storm like this, the desert comes alive! Reptiles, birds, insects and mammals appear from their hidden burrows. A badger made an appearance one evening!
Black-tailed Jackrabbits leap to safety.
I preview the grasslands for one of my upcoming guided treks with Tucson Bird Alliance and check to make sure our Cassin's Sparrows are singing and breeding. Rain is an essential ingredient for sparrows to have a successful breeding season in the Arizona grassland. Last year it was a bit difficult. This year, it appears Cassin's Sparrows have actually gained more breeding ground.
Lesser Nighthawk
One Lesser Nighthawk comes out early before sunset with its sibling Common Nighthawk crew. Common Nighthawks are usually the first of the nighthawks to appear in broad daylight. Both species have different calls. The singular "PEENT!" of the Common Nighthawk makes it a snap to ID.
The nature show after the storms is quite beautiful.
Tarantulas begin to appear as they look for higher ground. This Desert Blonde Tarantula is quite the stunner.
Often it's best to bird inside the car or not stray far from the car during heat events or torrential rains.
As mentioned above, heat also remains part of the equation. Even on cloudy days humidity can make temperatures feel surprisingly oppressive. Carry more water than you think you'll need, wear a wide-brimmed hat, use sunscreen, and know your limits. Nature is far more enjoyable when you're prepared.
Black Vultures near Sells
A few simple habits can make every monsoon birding trip safer:
Northern Crested Caracara
-Start early before afternoon storms become active or after a storm's energy has depleted itself
-Check the weather forecast before leaving home (or even better?) Have a weather app on you to monitor where storm cells are popping up. Weather alerts in your area will sound or buzz on your phone if you set it up on your phone beforehand
-Keep an eye on the sky throughout the morning
-Avoid hiking in washes when storms are nearby
-Let someone know where you're birding
-Carry plenty of water, snacks and a fully charged phone
Perhaps the greatest gift of Tucson's monsoon season is the reminder that life thrives on change. It refills desert pools, awakens insects, makes wildflowers bloom, and nourishes the birds we treasure watching.
As birders, we often seek rare sightings, but sometimes the greatest reward isn't checking another species off a list. It's standing quietly beneath towering clouds, listening to the distant rumble of thunder, watching a Harris's Hawk glide across a rain-cooled desert, and remembering that we're simply visitors in an ancient landscape that has danced to the rhythm of the monsoon for thousands of years.
Harris's Hawks near Sells
So lace up your hiking boots, pack your binoculars, fill your water bottle, and head into the desert or mountain tops with curiosity and respect. The Sonoran Desert has one of nature's greatest performances waiting, and during monsoon season, every outing feels like an opening act of something extraordinary. No day is alike. Have fun but be safe!
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