Arizona Trails and Tales with Rich Fuhrmann

In episode 51 of Arizona Trails and Tales, Rich highlights a recent road and birding trip with his friend and mentor Tom to multiple areas in Arlington, Arizona. Rich discusses a few different areas and experiences from Arlington to nearby areas of Buckeye, Tonopah and Gila Bend. Several environments are explored and the wildlife and features are described. The tales portion concludes with the intriguing possibility of traveling the Aqua Caliente Road.

Theme song composed and performed by Mike Myers.

Episode 50 of Arizona Trails and Tales features the history and exploration of Encanto Park in Phoenix. Learn about the founding and funding of the park, some of the struggles it has overcome, and why this is must visit. This episode also covers some of the birds found at Encanto Park and reflects on a recent guided bird walk in the White Tank Regional Park. The episode closes with 5 Arizona themed ways to ring in the New Year.

Theme sone composed and performed by Mike Myers.

In episode 49 of Arizona Trails and Tales, Rich features the grey fox spotted at the Hassayampa River Preserve and the importance of being able to unwind. In this episode, Rich also provides some strategies and reflections on overcoming social anxiety and the importance of trying to get out of your own comfort zone-even if not fully successful. This episode features the general cholla cactus and specifically some features of the Christmas cholla which tends to have noticeable fruit this time of year. The tales portion closes with the former tourist trap now abandoned/leveled town that was Santa Claus, Arizona.

Theme song composed and performed by Mike Myers.

In episode 48 of Arizona Trails and tales, Rich highlights a recent trip to Estrella Mountains and participating in the walk/run at the Kiwanis Park in Tempe as part of the Michael J. Fox fundraiser for Parkinson's. Rich gives brief review of the Kiwanis Park and shares some of his experiences living in Tempe. This episode also includes some cautions and advice for those who are of age and are using legal intoxicants while hiking, camping and fishing. The episode closes with an excerpt from Marshall Trimble's In Old Arizona: Pullin Legs attached to Tenderfeet.

Theme song composed and performed by Mike Myers.

In episode 47 of Arizona Trails and Tales, Rich shares his experience participating in the Gila River Indian Community's Winter Bird count at the Pee Posh wetlands. He also provides some reasons you should join a Christmas bird count and how easy it is to find and event and participate. Rich discusses overcoming the where to Pee dilemma when traveling in a mixed gender group. The tales portion shares the story of how the bluebird got their color.

Theme song composed and performed by Mike Myers (Thank you as always Mike).

In episode 46 of Arizona Trails and Tales, Rich shares information about the popular Flatiron Trail in the Superstition Mountains and features a bit about "Flatiron Jim". We also bid a hopefully temporary farewell to Mike Aimee and the Arizona Birdcall podcast due to his recent surgery. Rich shares some of his recent West Valley birding over Thanksgiving break and the increase in  winter species. The episode closes with the Tale of the Lost Dutchman Mine in the Superstition Mountains.

Theme song composed and performed by Mike Myers.

In episode 45 of Arizona Trails and Tales, Rich breaks down three reasons you should go birdwatching. Rich shares his experience and advice for beginning a birding group and what you may want to consider for a bird walk. He shares information about Arizona's hummingbirds highlighting features of regular visitors and some special hummingbirds to keep an eye out for. Rich also offers some advice on attracting hummingbirds to your home using specific plants and how to maintain your hummingbird feeder. The episode closes with an old Hopi tale on how Hummingbird saved the children.

Theme song composed and performed by Mike Myers.

In episode 44 of Arizona Trails and Tales, Rich describes the hike on the Vietnam Memorial Trail located in Surprise Arizona. Also featured in this episode: Finding birds at Hassayampa, staying safe in the rain while hiking, hiking and outdoor activities with out of state Thanksgiving guests, a little desert philosophy and closing with the tale of The Ranch Hand's Secret Gold Mine.

Theme song composed and performed by Mike Myers

In episode 43 of Arizona Trails and Tales, Rich discusses Paloma Park in Peoria and experiencing birdwatching and hiking as a snow bird. Included in this episode is a brief review of the Monarch Butterfly and the Queen Butterfly and how planting the Desert Milkweed helps these species thrive. The tales portion features a review of recreation in old time Arizona by Marshall Trimble. Theme song composed and performed by Mike Myers.

In episode 42 of Arizona Trails and Tales, Rich discusses selecting the right gear to support cooler weather hiking, outdoors experiences and camping preparedness. This episode features a short segment on harvesting Indigenous seeds and helping to eliminate invasive species. The episode closes with some typical "Ghost" encounters while camping. Theme song composed and performed by Mike Myers.