Thursday, September 6, 2012

The Chuparosa Challenge-Devil's Play

I think you may have been waiting for an update, yes???  Well this blogger has much up his sleeves:)  How did I have so much time to do all of this?  Well, TV is pretty bad these days and life is pretty exciting. And there's a whole lot more fun outside than inside. What I want to know is how I can do all this walking and not lose weight!!!???  So the Devil???
Well if you haven't guessed it yet, I found another gem in the hummingbird world at Ash Canyon!  The name is Lucifer.  Or another name for Satan.  If this is what Satan looks like, I may be tempted to join in on the fun:)  But come to find out....it has nothing to do with the Red Guy at all.
In Latin, lucifer means "light-bearing" and was applied in Old English to the morning star. Thus, when William Swainson named the Lucifer Hummingbird in 1827 he might have been thinking of the luminous glow of its colors. The male Lucifer's outer tail feathers are hard and narrow, and hum loudly during aerial displays. He performs a zigzagging dance to attract females and repel other males.
One of the distinguishing features of this hummer is the decurved (downward-curving) bill.  Reminds me of a Depeche Mode video or a distant relative the Ibis:)  Another new word for hummer fans to add to their must know lists....gorget, swording, and decurved:)
On this particular day, the hummingbirds were out in high numbers meaning they were EVERYWHERE!!!  Not just the Lucifer but lots of other species. August and September are the high months for hummers to migrate through Arizona to get to Mexico and Central America for winter.
When I saw this guy, I nearly flipped.  I wasn't expecting him as I was looking for the Rufous.  So as you can imagine....it was quite the treat:)
Many times I'll go out on the Rare Bird Alert site for New Mexico and Arizona to help me zone in on the hot areas for birds and then just go.  In fact, I went this day again looking for the Starthroat and ended up with most excellent finds:)  But will I ever find the Starthroat??!!
By the end of this challenge, I feel like I will be able to write a paper on these birds.  It has been a wonderful adventure into a world of exciting and colorful birds. Birding with hummers isn't difficult at all and the people who bird for hummers are always interesting.  The most hiking I have done for a hummingbird mission was in Montosa Canyon for that elusive Plain Capped Starthroat:)
Agave blooms on the hills and in the canyons are the preferred foods for most hummers like the Lucifer.  Plus there is a plentiful collection of bugs this time of year for them to do their "hawking". 
There will be more on the Chuparosa searches.  I'm not done yet:)  Remember I have written these posts back in August and I'm at the high point of hummer season:)  A special "thank you" to Mary Jo for the telephone conversations and info about these hummingbirds.  More tomorrow....

28 comments:

  1. Just... wow. What a beauty. Looking forward to more hummers!

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  2. What a stunning hummer Lucifer is - well done Chris!!!! Look forward to the next installment in your exciting challenge :)

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  3. Wow, the Lucifer is gorgeous. Cool looking beak. Seeing this hummer would have made my day. Is the B&B where you see the hummers? Fantastic shots!

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    1. Hi there:) Yes, there's a B and B run by Mary Jo. It's a birding one set in Ash Canyon. There are several in the area. If you come down, I can send you information on several that I've seen and are popular with people. But Mary Jo is really a fantastic host of the bunch. I think hers is Ash Canyon B & B.

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  4. What a beautiful birds....Very nice pics...

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  5. Hi Chris, I adore your hummingbird posts, and I'm very pleased to meet Lucifer with his gorgeous pink accessory. I laughed (sympathetically) at your lament re walking and not losing weight. I never lose weight either when I walk, in fact I generally put on weight. Even thinking about exercise can make me hungry. cheers, cm

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  6. I'll tell ya' one thing -- I wouldn't mind looking that beautiful. :)

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  7. The only hummer we have here in Ontario is the ruby-throated so I am quite jealous of the many varieties you have around Tucson! I do know the thrill of the hunt for certain birds and not finding the one you were looking for...but finding another, though. :)

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  8. Just stunning! I love having you showing these many varieties of these beauties!

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  9. Woah Wooo Hoo! Outstanding! Great shots Chris! Glad you got to find this bird--I might've traded this for the Starthroat myself. These are gorgeous, well done!

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  10. Yes, you're becoming quite the expert on the subject!

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  11. the purple gorget is stunning! awesome!

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  12. You are definitely my go to guy for all things hummers. :) What a beautiful humming bird. You have really had a productive summer with your Chuparosa Challenge.

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  13. BEAUTIFUL hummingbird pictures.

    Greetings, Joop

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  14. Such a beauty with its down-curved beak and bright colors. I've been remiss with my feeder lately.

    Maybe you need to leave some of the snacks at home on your walks. ;)

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    1. I think you're right....it could be the snacks:)

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  15. I love hummingbirds. You have a great series of shots here.

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  16. Okay, this one is a beauty! What fantastic pictures. When you see this flying by it must look like a flying ruby. When they sit with their mouth open are they hot or making a sound?

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    1. Oh they are usually squacking at something:) This is my territory! Stay away:) They are very funny birds:)

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    2. Well, they do have a throat-full of rubies to protect, I'd be telling everyone to stay away too!

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  17. Beautiful violet neck!
    cool shots

    xoxo, Juliana
    [pjhappies.blogspot.com]

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  18. I hadn't realised there were so many different kinds of hummingbirds.
    Your pictures are lovely - as usual. :)

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  19. Chris, how wonderful! I can hear the excitement in your words! I have yet to see this marvelous species! Thanks for the clarification on the name. Now it makes sense. Congrats on the sighting! thank you also for all your kind and encouraging comments! they mean so much to me and made me smile more than once. I may be ready to go birding at Sweetwater soon. You interested? Let me know. (p.s. I would consider someplace else as well.)

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  20. Stunning!!! Hummers are one of my favorite birds to watch and photograph. Your images you've shared this week are superior!!!! In every way.

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  21. I would have totally flipped out too Chris, what a truly amazing sight. I don't think I've ever seen such a spectacular gorget on a bird, you really are lucky to have these delightful little birds around. I really must make time to do some birding.

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  22. i didn't read through all the comments...so maybe someone said this already...
    but that Lucifer is a HELL of a bird!!

    what a glittering hummer!!! wow!!

    and i love your sense of humor too...you're always fun to read!!
    have a happy friday! and weekend too!

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