San Pedro due bird recognition

Grasslands, trees and mountains can be seen from the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The 57,000-acre area is widely known as a bird-watcher's paradise. Experienced bird-survey volunteers recently collected data in the conservation area.

San Pedro due bird recognition

An Arizona Bell's vireo feeds her babies at her nest. At San Pedro, you're likely to encounter sights like this.

San Pedro due bird recognition

Caption unavailable

San Pedro due bird recognition

A national conservation area east of Sierra Vista will be rededicated Saturday as a "globally important bird area."

Today's road conditions in Pima County

Today’s road condition report from Pima County’s Transportation Department:

Long-legged big birds descend on ponds near Kino Stadium

An egret gazes out over waters that are flushed red by the setting sun reflecting off a building near the basins of the Kino Environmental Restoration Project on Tucson's south side. Great blue herons have been spotted at the site as well.

Long-legged big birds descend on ponds near Kino Stadium

Dazzling white egrets and great blue herons have been swooping through the skies and wading in ponds near a south-side sports complex - adding pizazz to the urban bird-watching scene.

Desert paradise

"Madera Canyon before the storm" is what Donna Pierce titled this photo, taken in July. "The clouds and the colors were incredible and my Canon EOS was dying to capture the image."

Desert paradise

Gerald Kleopfer took this photo of a Harris' hawk on a hiking trail north of the Bear Canyon trailhead in July. "I was out taking landscape photos and the hawk flew up in front of me and landed in the tree. It stayed there for several minutes before it flew off," he wrote.

Desert paradise

Wayne Klement took this photo in January of Seven Falls Trail in Sabino Canyon.

Desert paradise

Foothills resident Joseph Cyr was in Catalina State Park on the northwest side when he took this photo of poppies and lupines.

Reader photos: Desert paradise

We're looking for your best photos to print in the Foothills Star. Go to azstarnet.com/foothills to upload your pictures.

Madera's paved trails closing for fixes

The Accessible Trails network in Madera Canyon south of Tucson - popular with hikers as well as handicapped users - will be closed for extended periods through Aug. 24.

Madera Canyon paved trails temporarily closing for fixes

Steve Meeks, driving, and Luke McCurdy of Pima Paving pour rubberized tar into cracks along a section of the Accessible Trails network in Madera Canyon. The repairs on the popular trails are expected to be completed by Aug. 24.

2 die as truck plunges off Madera-area cliff

The truck driven by Jacklyn Diane Salazar-Brisacher rolled off a cliff in near Madera Canyon Wednesday, killing two.

2 die as truck plunges off Madera-area cliff

Jacklyn Diane Salazar-Brisacher

2 die as truck plunges off Madera-area cliff

Two people were killed and two were injured when the truck they were in rolled off a cliff near Madera Canyon Wednesday night.

Driver arrested in crash off cliff that kills 2 near Tucson

Two people were killed and two were injured when the truck they were in rolled off a cliff near Madera Canyon Wednesday night.

Fee-collecting rangers are called 'intimidating'

Robin Sims, a visitor from Fairbanks, Alaska, scampers up rocks on the Blackett's Ridge Trail in Sabino Canyon. Opponents called "fee required" notices being posted on parked cars an "underhanded" effort to prompt payment.