Monday, July 14, 2014

The Tatooine Factor

The large Plain-capped "Star"throat
A long time ago in a galaxy far far way, I was able to comfortably hike and count birds.  But with the desert heat right now, I'm trying to figure out if I should pull out those dusty Star Wars toys and reenact the desert planet of Tatooine or really try and bird?

Who can resist the mesmerizing blues of the Broad-billed Hummingbird male? Like a blue lightsaber
Lately it seems I have been role playing on Endor, or the moon that is home to all the Ewoks.  There have been trees, critters and of course, ticks!  But now I'm back on Tatooine.  

My favorite shot of the day.  Plumbeous Vireo love!

My tolerance factor for the heat and humidity is rather low.  People put on weight during their Hoth(the snow planet) months in most places.  I put mine on during our summer months.  Plus I really like food and cool temps.  So I Eat. Sleep. Bird.  Sounds like a book title! 


Epic!  I've heard them so many times, but never had the opportunity to see one.  A very special moment with the Whiskered screech-owl or the secretive Yoda
While I'm not by any means trying to do a big year, it's the only time I will ever be close to doing one.  My goal this year is to stay in the top 100 for the United States.  Right now I'm in the 30's which is great, but I do need to find several more birds that are right here in Arizona.  That's what's great about this place!  We have most of the birds right here all year round!  And the chases are especially exciting during monsoon season.  


A microburst on the grasslands gives us some relief with cooler temps
 Random birds come into the state due to powerful weather systems or what some may call the "Force".  For example, while I already found the Tricolored Heron in Florida this year, it was a thrill to discover a Juvenile hidden in a trashy golf course spot up in a tree!


Juvenile Tricolored Heron
While we were observing this bird, I was sweating my #$@* off! And oh the heat exhaustion!  What's that?  Drink water you say?  Oh I do. It still doesn't help with the heat:) There are times I'd like to go into the woods and take a whole bag of ice cubes and rub them all over my body. But the birds!  They are most excellent and can ONLY be found this time of year!


The Phoenician Kingbirds....left to right.....Tommy D, Mark Ochs and Gordon Karre
It's good to have friends to motivate along the trails.  Buddies who will play Star Wars with you.  Just as long as they aren't too rough on the action figures!  Oh I hear someone snickering out there in bloggerland.  Yeah I heard that.  They aren't dolls! NEVER!  Guys play with action figures! 


A Yarrow's Spiny Lizard gets a little snack-my Luke Skywalker action figure would fit perfectly on the back!
 Anyhow, we had a lot of laughing on that day as we searched for rarities and other fun birds.  They are called the Phoenician Kingbirds.  Because we live in Arizona, we get all kinds of Kingbirds.....Tropical, Thick-billed, Western, Cassin's, and even the rare and occasional Eastern.  My schnoz is pretty big so my code name is Thick-billed Kingbird. 

Tiger Beetle love-the robots of the wild world!
Check out these alien action figures in the desert right now!  That's why it's so hard to stay indoors when all this fun is happening right outside my door!


an Indigo Bunting uses the force
I still need to collect several more action figures to complete my set here on Tatooine.  There is one spot hotter than hell and it's called Korriban(aka Phoenix, home of the Sith leader Jan Brewer).  In that locale, I can pick up 2 new birds for the national list this year.  I've already seen both, but it would still be fun to find them.  They are the Least Bittern and Barn Owl.  Due to a schedule conflict this year, I missed my Tundra Swan opportunity up in Prescott but picked up my lifers, the Mute Swans, in Massachusetts. Other birds include the Five-striped Sparrow but it's in a dangerous drug runner area and I won't go alone. They are known as the Sand People. In Maine, I only had to worry about ticks.  In Arizona, I have to worry about my safety! This is what I call the "Dark Side". The California Gulch should be birded with a group. So that bird is off my list until it moves further up from the border by the end of the month. Another includes the larking Cassin's Sparrow.  And I have another trip planned to find the Mexican Chickadee in one of my favorite places in Arizona!  Portal.  More animals live there than humans do and it's evident everywhere you turn!


San Pedro house near Sierra Vista
We have definitely begun Monsoon Madness and it should be a quite a show. I wonder if they sell air conditioning suits?  Anyhow, "May the force be with you!"  More from Maine coming up......

For more birds from around the world, check out Wild Bird Wednesday. Photos featured today are from Madera Canyon, Florida Canyon, Ramsey Canyon and the San Pedro Riparian area. 

29 comments:

  1. You have some lovely photos for us again Chris. I hope it doesn't get that hot here!

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  2. That beetle is a gorgeous insect and the band of rain makes rain look pleasant.

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  3. Enjoyed the post Chris.

    I'd love to see all those species for real but even if 'the force was with me' I don't think my foreign body could cope with all that heat!

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  4. Chris, what a fun post.. I like you were able to work in your Star Wars obsession with your birding addiction..LOL! Awesome birds and photos. Happy birding and have a great week!

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  5. Eat. Sleep. Bird. Sounds good. Love that owl in the tree. Thanks for taking me birding again.

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  6. Another interesting post. It sounds as if you are having a great year - maybe despite the weather!

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  7. Hang in there mere Earth man. The birding Force is with you.

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  8. Há há!:) What a fun post! I sympathize with Chris. Aren't birds amazing, even with all those feathers they still manage the heat better than us.Lovely shots of all birds especially nesting birds,and beetle.

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  9. Chris, you are getting more creative in your commentary with each post! What a fun read!

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  10. What a great variety of birds you have found!

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  11. HI Chris What a wonderful post with excellent photos. I especially like the Hummingbird shots and the Owl peeping out from the glad in the tree. I am glad you were able to see it. Pity about the heat, it does slow things down.

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  12. What a wonderful fun post Chris - so great you could work Star Wars into your birding :) Great photos. "May the Force be with you" too :)

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  13. I wanna come play with you guys! Fun, Fun, Fun....

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  14. oh, and...we feel the Tatooine factor here this week...we are at +30C..... pass the ice cubes please.........

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  15. Great capture and birds, can imagine the heat and that is changing the way how things going.

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  16. Your birds are beautiful and I love the star wars comparisons. They are very clever! :)

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  17. The best was the Hummingbirds, and making a brief appearence was the Owl, they are superb.

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  18. Wonderful captures, I love the microburst and the bunting!

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  19. Great birds - especially the hummingbirds - and a very creative attitude to birding in the extreme heat! (With apologies to Kipling!) Mad dogs and "birders" go out in the noon-day heat!!
    Thanks for your kind wishes on my blog post.

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  20. Chris this is a fabulous post. Starting off with one of my favourites to see, the hummers too. I chuckled when I read about the boys, and their toys and learnt more of the amazing places you can go birding and your considering their safety values. Fine crew you took along with you too.

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  21. When we step out into nature, it really does feel like we're exploring a whole new world. Great post Chris, glad to see you're still keeping it real, and keeping it fun :)

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  22. OMG; what fantastic, wonderful post of nature and with your friends♬♬♬ I cannot say which picture is my favorite :-) I wish I could see hummingbird with my own eyes, that would be dream come true.
    Well, my tolerance factor for the heat and humidity is really low, too. (haha, I liked your phrase, thanks)

    Sincerely from Japan xoxo Miyako*

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  23. Hi Chris. I've never got into the Star Wars franchise (although my son was for a while), so many of the names and places mean nothing to me, but I still enjoyed your account and your beautiful images. Thank you for your very detailed comment on my own blog. I am about to write a reply!

    Best wishes from UK - where we're always pleased to see warm dry weather!

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  24. You have some great pictures to go with your fun posting today Chris. I love those hummers, real action birds aren't they? Boy does that grassland look HOT and someone getting a downpour.

    Hey Chris I just invented a new action toy - Action Birder complete with bins, scope and a notebook.

    Hope you get the ones you're looking for but stay away from the bad guys, it's only birding after all.

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  25. Well despite the heat It sounds like you're having lots of fun Chris, or is it that you have heatstroke :) you have once again delighted us with you birding prowess, fabulous images.

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  26. lol, a fun post. :) Love the hummers and everything else. :)

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  27. Cute post! Exquisite photos! Loved the Plumbeous vireo at her nest!

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