Monday, March 3, 2014

Spring Is In The Air

Broad-billed Hummingbird
When things start warming up, it's hard to ignore the changes around us. When the Broad-billed Hummingbird starts feeding from the stunning Parry's Penstemon, I stop with others and marvel at the incredible beauty that nature provides this time of year. 

Mountain Laurel pollinated by the Carpenter Bee

It's a reminder that everything renews. 
 

The Great Horned Owls nest and have their owlets every spring at my work site. Every year we look forward to their return as we watch them go from egg to large owl in just a matter of weeks!
 
Fairy Duster
 But it's not just the birds.  A Fairy Duster bursts forth like a firecracker in the night sky. A Tucson garden, thanks to African Daisies, brightens up our lives with a little sunshine.  
 
African Daisies
 All it takes is one rain event. 
 
Desert Globemallow
Insects, wildflowers, migrating birds alike.......

Anna's Hummingbird with Turk's Cap

......remind us that life is constant change.  With or without us.

Common Gallinule(Moorhen)
I never once take any of this for granted. 

A protective nesting Cooper's Hawk
 Each year as I grow older, I still marvel at it all like I once did as a kid. 


These epic landscapes are the paintings that will define our lifetime.  And I hope they remain that way for generations to come. 

Created with my cartoon app. Snapped a shot at Sabino creek with my phone and had a little fun.  It was the most perfect day.  
Until next time.....




Don't forget to check out Wild Bird Wednesday.

39 comments:

  1. Cudowna kolorowa wiosna jest już u Ciebie. Jestem zachwycona. Pozdrawiam.
    Gorgeous spring color is already in you. I'm thrilled. Yours.

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  2. Viewing this post is like a breath of fresh air for me. How lucky you are to be able to take in these beautiful signs of spring. Here in Chicago, it is currently 17 teeth-shattering degrees. Your gorgeous post certainly brought warmth to my day. I especially love the hummingbirds. Stunning photographs, Chris!

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  3. You do make it seem as though Spring is just about there which must be encouraging to those further north! Some lovely flowers too.

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  4. Wonderful photos Chris. Makes me hope that spring will eventually come to Illinois!

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  5. Fantastic photos and I love your knew blog set up! The photos are so much bigger and that makes them better to enjoy!

    Take care!

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  6. I knew that was Sabino Canyon!! Oh how many times we've hiked up there. Such a gorgeous area and I miss it this time of year especially.

    Love the 'dive bombing' hawk. And the hummingbirds...beautiful.

    We saw a HUGE great horned owl a couple of weeks ago...and such fun images I got of it...the photos are on my birding photo blog, here:

    http://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.com

    Come see if you have time.

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  7. i'm ready for warmer days. we got frozen out again this weekend.

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  8. Brilliant pictures. I don't understand why anyone wouldn't love nature. From Findlay

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  9. Beautiful images, so much variety.

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  10. On any other week in my life I would be been very jealous of you for seeing the humming birds - but this week I saw them myself - same two species as in the post!!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Scottsdale, AZ (and Melbourne!)

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  11. Getting older has never made me lose the wonder of spring, I agree! LOVE the effect of the app!

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  12. I enjoyed your day, your cartoons, your birds but most of all your commentary Chris. If people try to understand and appreciate the natural world their lives will be fulfilled completely. Spring is here too - hooray!

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  13. Gorgeous series of photos! I love the hummingbirds and the owlet is so adorable.

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  14. Oh yes, Anna's Hummingbird, it is the winner. All of them are superb, thanks Chris.

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  15. Lovely images, Chris! They remind me of warmer weather has to come soon.

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  16. I had no idea Stewart! If you're around this weekend, let me know!

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  17. Just amazing pictures and beautiful words...lovely to read your posts in the evening..am sure to have beautiful dreams.

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  18. HI Chris These are fantastic shots. Great clarity in the flight shots of bees and birds.

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  19. A stunning set of photos Chris, its very hard to pic a favourite,but as I am a succer for cacti, thats the one I'm going for. Such a colourful back-drop as well.
    All the best Gordon.

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  20. Awesome photos Chris!! I admit - until I reached 40 I did not stop and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us .... but I'm so glad I finally did stop! Nature is Amazing!

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  21. Beautiful post. I hope to never lose my sense of wonder when I see the wonderful world of nature around me. I am glad you feel the same. MB

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  22. A post of beautiful images!
    The hummingbird shots are excellent.
    I like the cartoon edit.

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  23. Sigh...you have definitely captured the mood of spring- I can't wait. I don't want to hurry up time, but I could do without winter, all the same.

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  24. Hi Chris, OH--how I love this post... It makes me yearn for spring.. We don't have many signs of spring here yet. It is truly a magical time of year.

    When I lived in FL, I thought that March was the best month of the year... Is that also true in AZ????

    Thanks for sharing all of the beauty around you.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  25. Betsy! It's true! March and November are the months of perfection around here!

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  26. Chris, I'm so excited I just saw a Coopers Hawk in our backyard, never had one so close...which would account for the lack of birds here today, despite the foot of snow.

    Jen

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  27. Hi Chris, you captured the beauty of spring beautifully :)

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  28. Your post captures the essence of Spring perfectly, Chris. Our spring is very different to yours, and it's fighting its way to the surface now!

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  29. Enjoyed seeing your pictures. It gives pleasant for our eyes. When spring comes all the parts of world becomes bright with beautiful and colorful blossoms...

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  30. Hi Chris, lovely to hear from you.. sounds like you have been enjoying life since last we caught up. Beautiful new header shot and it make me smile when I saw your Gila Woodpecker in it's striped jumper :)Every season has it's gifts but spring.. ah spring! when the world is coming awake after winter hibernation, a very special time.. enjoy your spring Chris as we go into autumn here in Oz!

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  31. Beautiful images! Especially that hummingbird. I've never seen that species.

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  32. The hummers will be here in a few months -- gorgeous images Chris! xo

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  33. Gorgeous shots! Those African Daisies and the hummingbirds, bursting with color, are wonderful.

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  34. today I notice the first 2 fat buds on March lilies towering up. But our autumn rain is making us wait ...

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  35. Some gorgeous Spring colours in your post Chris - the African Daisies photo is really stunning :) Its been Spring-like over here recently with butterflies, moth and bees plus garden frogs starting to appear :)

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  36. Bonitas imágenes. Algunas aves se parece a las de España. Con algún que otro variante.. Un cordial saludo

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  37. Ah, spring, how lovely art thou!

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  38. Oh my gosh, how beautifully captured, this burgeoning spring! I want to get out and get more pictures with my new camera! I've been waiting with bated breath for opportunities to get some flowers, since I don't do so well with birds. :-) Now, at last!

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