Bird/Nature Photography: Agua Caliente Park - Thursday 08/27/2026

Bird/Nature Photography: Agua Caliente Park - Thursday 08/27/2026 

Trip Cost: $10

Agua Caliente, literally meaning hot water, is a unique 101-acre park that features a perennial warm spring and pond that is home to an exceptionally rich mix of plants and animals. Agua Caliente Park has a long and interesting history with evidence of human habitation dating back about 5,500 years. In 1873, a ranch and health resort was developed to promote the curative properties of the warm springs. In 1984 local businessman Roy P. Drachman donated over $200,000 toward the purchase of Agua Caliente Ranch and Pima County named the park in honor of this contribution. Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park opened to the public on January 19, 1985. On July 9, 2009, Agua Caliente Ranch Rural Historic Landscape was placed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Improvements have added modern conveniences without eliminating the historical aspects of the park. Renovation of the main pond was completed in July 2020. It consisted of grading and deepening the pond and installing a polymer liner to reduce pond seepage to conserve water. A bridge to the island was reconstructed after many years of inaccessibility. The ponds support diverse wildlife habitat and the lush environment that visitors have come to expect when visiting the park.

If you have binoculars, you may want to bring them along. A small notebook and pen or pencil would be useful to record your sightings. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. A hat, sunscreen and water are also recommended.

Following the trip to Agua Caliente Park, you're invited to a no-host lunch at Saguaro Corners located at 3750 South Old Spanish Trail in Tucson.

Meet at the Photography Club at 7:45 AM for carpooling, departure at 8:15. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge if you have one. For those carpooling, $10.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver for gas.

The last date to cancel for a refund is August 20, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com.  We may have people on the wait list to take your place. 

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Denise as soon as you know you cannot make the trip. 

NOTICE:

All participants need to be responsible for an assessment of their mobility and health issues relating to field trips. Some trips may not be appropriate, but you must make that determination. However, the trip leader may deny participation in a specific field trip to anyone deemed not suitably prepared or able to walk with the group.

Be sure to have your GVR card with you for each and every field trip. Without it, you won't be allowed to go on the trip. No refunds will be granted for failure to comply with this requirement.  To protect GVR and club member benefits, GVR has implemented a new process that requires each field trip participant to come into the club and scan his/her GVR card to confirm eligibility. We no longer have the option of typing in your name or GVR number – only the physical GVR card will do.

We will no longer meet in the parking lot. We will meet in the GVR Photography Club where you will scan your GVR card confirming your eligibility to go on the trip. We’ll also review important/late-breaking information, pair up drivers and riders, provide driving directions, and give participants a chance to visit the restrooms prior to departure. Again, be sure to have your GVR card with you.

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.