Birding George Walker House, Paradise, AZ

Built in 1905 by George and Lula Walker at the turn of the century, is one of the few original structures still standing. One local story has it that the Walkers named Paradise while honeymooning here. Jackie & Winston, the current owners and hosts for the feeders are generous with their time and expertise -- their dogs are sweet too and the birds don't seem to mind them. There is a bathroom available on site.

I arrived just as some other folks were leaving. There are a couple of steps up to the seating area that is surrounded by feeders. I sat with Jackie as we looked at birds and even had a Red-naped Sapsucker that slipped away too quickly for me to get a photo. She really knows her birds. She is also one of the local EMTs -- which is like a Dr. in a small town like Paradise & Portal when you have to be choppered out for anything serious. She told me (so much for privacy) that my host had recently (yes 3 weeks before) had a heart attack and had to take the medivac helicopter to Tucson.

Regardless, she was a wonderful host and facilitated these photos.

Mule Deer

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Inca Dove

Mexican Jay

Steller's Jay

Scott's Oriole

Hooded Oriole

Hooded Oriole

Scott's Oriole

Lazuli Bunting

Pine Siskin

Band-tailed Pigeon

Wild Turkey

Black Grosbeak

Black Grosbeak

I talked to Jackie about accessibility and she indicated they had often helped someone in a Wheelchair or with stability issues up the steps. They are rock and pretty uneven. They used to have an open driveway they could use, but some flooding required they put rocks in to keep it from washing away. The guest house is not accessible.