We had an adventure planned to the North Rim this past weekend. It was to find as many nesting birds as we could. And we did. We discovered so many nesting Williamson's Sapsuckers, Western Bluebirds, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Brewer's Blackbirds!
Nesting Brewer's Blackbird |
Western Tanager |
California Condor |
We set up our base inside an unknown and remote area. No bathrooms or hotels. Just our tents and coolers. And it was magical.
The rough camping isn't for everyone, but I thought it was a lot of fun. I haven't done this kind of thing since college! Plus I got to camp with my birding buddy Gordon.
Weidemeyer Butterfly |
So we searched for the elusive Dusky Grouse, Three-toed Woodpecker, and Flammulated and Northern Saw-whet Owls.
Two large vehicles of people drove through the dirt roads while sitting outside their windows and in the back of trucks filming everything around them....including the birders:) It was fascinating! They wore handmade outfits and unique hairstyles that I haven't seen in about two decades. Anyway, there were a lot of happy faces in the group waving at us.
What lies beyond the horizon? On the following day, our incredible group of birders continued surveying the area along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We had plenty of laughs in our exhausted bodies. The Flammulated and Northern Saw-whet Owls kept me awake!
In my zombie state, I pulled out my recorder to capture the Flammulated owl's soft calls. It was a lifer for me.
Having a couple laughs with Magill and Gordon |
Evening Grosbeak |
I'd like to thank Eric Hough for organizing this trip through AZFO. It was a real pleasure helping out. For more birds from around our world, check out Wild Bird Wednesday.
And the adventure continues next week from another part of the world......
Awesome photos today Chris. Looks like you had a successful outing!
ReplyDeleteA great outing in a very beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave man. I would not do that kind of camping. The last picture is really special.
ReplyDeleteChris, awesome outing..Seeing the Condors would be a treat.. And one of my favorites is the Western Tanager.. Great post, thanks for sharing your day. Have a happy week!
ReplyDeletesounds like you were kinda in heaven! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! The Blue Jays around here go after nests too. I saw one that had grabbed a Red-Eyed Vireo Fledge and was eating away as the parents mobbed him.
ReplyDeleteWow Chris, such a fantastic adventure. You did see a lot of birds and congrats on lifer. You seems to have great company as well and all this adds up to a brilliant birding time. Looking forward to more adventures with you.
ReplyDeleteThe sounds of an owl are way better than any valium pill would be. Or any bird. Talk about relaxing!! Nothing beats nature.
ReplyDeleteThe Grand Canyon. A place most of us can just dream and fantasise about. The condors too - a mythical bird.
ReplyDeleteAnd there you are living and baseline camping in there you lucky so-and-so. I confess I may have one of those hair styles you describe - yes I am an old style birder but wouldn't dream of birding in a Happy Band of fellow travellers, just going it alone like you Chris. Enjoy.
Oh, Chris! Having you for a blogging friend is such an adventure for me! I enjoy your posts more than you will ever know. How delightful to get up to the North Rim! I actually hiked down the South Rim and out the North when I was a young adventurer! :-) Those days are long gone, I'm afraid. Wish I could do it again and just take a million pictures! Your California Condor sighting had to be so exciting! And I loved that tentative owl call. Beautiful photos too, as always! Oh, and thanks for the advice about the Lesser Goldfinches. I actually have a thistle feeder and get some awesome results bringing them in, but I have backlighting for most of my pictures, and they are rarely too good (I need a tree! Have to hang it on the porch eave!). I have posted a few though in the past. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteForgot to tell you, we bought that book you recommended. It's great! Can't wait to use it "out" somewhere.
ReplyDeleteOH! What a fabulous adventure! The California Condor would have been a lifer for me...and so would have the western tanager, Brewer's blackbird, just about anything in the Southwest!
ReplyDeleteThat Brewer's Blackbird looks stunning, the sheen reminds me of a starling from over here (UK) but the rest is totally different.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos and story Chris! it does sound like so much fun! and what a contrast your next posts will be! I'm looking forward to seeing you and your reaction to all these Maine birds!
ReplyDeleteVery nice post Chris. I would love to see the Condors, they look like really magnificent birds.
ReplyDeleteA great series of shots and some super narrative. How wonderful to see the mighty Condor flying free. I remember them being on the brink of extinction some years ago
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great trip.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and scenic place. You have spotted lovely birds.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos Chris and what a great trip :) Love the butterfly photo.
ReplyDeleteAnother highly enjoyable and beautifully illustrated post, Chris - even with its stark reminder that nature can be cruel as well as beautiful.
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