Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Paying It Forward

As the list narrows, the searches become more difficult.  As a birder, I find warblers most frustrating.  They are a gift to me once spotted.  Some are easily found while others move around too much in the canopy of the trees.  But one bird still eludes me....the Elegant Trogon.  However, this time it's different.
Cooper's Hawk

On a hike into Madera Canyon, I located several nesting areas for the first time.  It was a lot of fun.  There were other birders on the trails.  One man sat devastated on a rock.  I asked him what was wrong.  He replied, "I cannot locate the Yellow-Eyed Junco!"  He was from the south and had never seen one before, but I smiled and pointed to the bush where one was hiding.  "You mean that one over there?"  His eyes flashed that excitement that birders get when finding a lifebird for the first time. I was super thrilled for him.  I called the bird out and he was able to get wonderful shots.  Some say that this bird is a "Junk bird".  I don't like that term because it sounds like it's no big thing.  The simple truth is that we can't take any one species for granted.
I walked the trails more....finding flycatchers, mammals, bugs and more.  And I came upon another group who had thought they heard the Spotted Towhee.  I had seen it on the way up.  The bird's call is unmistakable, but it also is a master of cloak and disquise.  It will disappear quickly.  However, it wasn't quick enough to hide from us this time.  The group was able to find their Towhee.  A lifebird for most of them.  I continued on my trek up the mountain trail.
Along the way, I found a Hutton's Vireo above and the House Wren below.  The bird above was confusing to me.  It acted like a Dusky.  My gut said Hutton's but I needed ID help.  Most agree it was a Hutton's and yet.....  Since the time of this shoot, I have found the Dusky several times and have been able to get nice clear shots of the bird.  It will be featured in a post coming up next week. I'd just like to thank everyone for their input when I need that extra help.
House Wren
There is a lot of sexy time going on between the birds.  I walked upon two Arizona Woodpeckers having a moment.  Luckily these were birds and not my parents.
Copulating Arizona Woodpeckers
Hummingbirds.  Who doesn't love them?  The Broad-tail below made me smile.  It's bell-like rattle swung around feeders noisily as he fed.
Broad-tail Hummingbird
I wandered.....and wandered taking it all in carefully.  Truth be told, I was hoping for Flycatchers. And found them I did!

And I picked myself up the Dusky-capped Flycatcher.    Smallest of the three similiar flycatcher species, it prefers to be near running water(check) in oak scrub(check) and near the ground to middle branches of the tree(check). But the easiest way to ID this bird??  The call.  I heard the sad "pee-ur" sound associated with the bird. The bird also lacks the distinct rufous edging on the sides of the wings(like the Ash-throated).  It's probably one of the most difficult birds to ID.  I have several shots to compare this bird with the others I've seen out in the field.
Dusky-capped  Flycatcher


Many times it comes down to observation.  The Ash-throated below is much larger and has rufous coloring along the edges of the wing.  They prefer to hang around dry washes like their much larger counterparts the Brown-Crested Flycatcher.  The calls are very different as well.

Ash-throated Flycatcher

So after awhile, it's nice to go back to easier species to ID.  And yet in this post, I've placed several of the trickier birds for people to ID.  Is it a Coopers or a Sharp-Shinned?  Is it a Dusky Flycatcher, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet or Huttons? Body posture is everything on these birds.  Is it a Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, or Brown-Crested Flycatcher? Habitat and calls for these birds.  And there are certainly many more birds that are very similar in appearance.
And so when I see the Elegant Trogon, there won't be any doubt in my mind what the bird looks like:)  I have the image burned into my memory.  Perhaps someone will help me find my new nemesis bird one of these days?  Or maybe the bird will just appear quietly as it always does while I'm alone on the trails.
Great Horned Owl
Hooo knows?:)
                                       Linking up with Stewart M for Wild Bird Wednesday

25 comments:

  1. Good story again Chris. I never heard the phrase "junk bird" and I think that is an awful thing to say. As you rightly say we should never take a species for granted, especially in this day and age when species can be wiped out in a comparively short time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right on! We learn that lesson everyday......the Rusty Blackbird is a good example for all of us. There are others but this bird is the most drastic.

      Delete
  2. Great photos Chris!

    Lovely write up too. You will find and you will crush that Trogon this summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope so Laurence:) I know I will but I'd like to do it before summer because that heat is not so fun:)

      Delete
  3. For me there are no "junk birds." I am still new to birding so probably that's why. I remember the day I saw my first greater yellowlegs and was so excited until I heard an old-time birder say "I hope I'm going to see more than just a yellowlegs today." I really hope no one ever hears me say something like that! :)

    I'm impressed with how much you have learned about birds in such a short while. Amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It used to be Spanish and while it still is, it's just something I do. But birds zapped me into focus:)

      Delete
  4. the flycatchers are like warblers and sparrows to me - ugh! we get great-crested here - at least i think so!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You do!!! And you have the scissored variety as well!!!

      Delete
  5. Great photos Chris! I love the hummingbird!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Another great story, supported by some beautiful images, Chris. That first Coopers Hawk image is a classic.

    I'm horrified that anyone can consider any bird a 'junk bird'.

    Really jealous of your Great Horned Owl!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great post, Chris! I do not believe in Junk birds, I love them all. Your photos are awesome. I am wishing you lots of luck on your Trogon!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful array of beautiful creatures.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Chris, great writing, good questions, and good birds!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sometimes this IDing becomes a fine science. Nice to share with other birders. Isn't that how we learn?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wonderful post again Chris - love the butterfly :) What a shame that some people consider some species as "junk birds" - every species to me is special.

    Good luck with finding the Elegant Trogon :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for a great post! I totally understand what you are saying. As far as the Trogon, I am quite sure you will get it much sooner than I. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Madera Canyon...the capital of AZ birding. So many lovely photos, Chris. Nice read. I too am glad that wasn't your parents humping on the tree. wink.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great post Chris:) I have never seen the Yellow-Eyed Junco, so would be absolutely thrilled to see this bird. I am so impressed that you were able to call the bird out, and also think it's just awful to take any creature for granted.

    Good luck in your quest for the Trogan:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautiful birds, you have a keen eye.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Every single time I read your posts Chris I get all enthused about looking for the smaller birds..one of these days I'll surprise you and actually do it :) Wonderful post again, love that you ended with one of my favourites..the owl!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love reading about all of your bird finds... You are so lucky to get to see (and KNOW) so many little (and big) birds... Wow!!!! I'm always impressed...

    Saw an Indigo Bunting today for the first time. Hope I can attract them to my feeders. Beautiful colors!

    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful birds. I always enjoy seeing birds even the common ones.

    ReplyDelete
  19. A very interesting post and a great series of photos. I like the way you have started and finished with birds of prey - the hawk and the owl.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I wish I had an experienced birder to go out with. My eyes are mo longer what they were and spotting little, fast moving darlings in thick vegetation is anything but easy. Lovely collection of birds and shots.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful photos and narrative, Chris. Do start taking better care of yourself. The hard physical times creep up stealthily!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by!