A Stationary Front

A Gila Woodpecker at my feeder

I wake up and follow my daily routine.  I have money, but I don't have the proper amount of time.  Or I have the time but not the money.  Can't both coincide at the same time?:) The movement I had gained this year has stalled, at least for now. I imagine this isn't unique to just my situation but for anyone trying to accomplish a personal goal. 

A Harris's Hawk hangs out in the middle of the afternoon on the Santa Cruz Flats

Instead of chasing birds in far away locales, we stayed close to home and visited several places nearby.  The temps here in Tucson are still hot so we did quite a bit of birding from the car. We went to the Santa Cruz Flats and explored this 20+ mile area for raptors and possible Mountain Plovers.  Micheal had never seen a Crested Caracara(or a Mountain Plover) before so I took him to the ag fields where they are commonly seen. We didn't have to wait long before we found a Crested Caracara flying near a tractor. It's a bit early for the Mountain Plovers so I'll check again next month. 

A Western Grebe is one of MANY water birds found in the artificial lake of Arizona City

The winter birds are beginning to arrive.  Birders flock to all the watering holes to find something rare.  Waterfowl and hawks begin to show up in greater numbers.  The Harris's Hawks hang out longer on the telephone poles now that the temps are cooling down. 

Rock Pigeons hang out at Ft. Lowell Park waiting for the people to make a mess

I have a hard time staying inside the house, but I had no desire to drive a couple hours in any one direction.  Currently, I need to find a handful of birds within the state.  One is the Mexican Chickadee.  It's a great little bird found in the Chiricahuas.  However, I'm thinking I'd like to spend a night at one of their great B & B's for some relaxing birding over a weekend. 

A White-crowned Sparrow peers at me through a bush at Sweetwater Wetlands

Other birds include the Bell's Sparrow, Rough-legged Hawk and Tundra Swan.  Over the course of the weekend, I ran errands and did some investigaton on a Southern California birding run I have planned for in December. 

Cooper's Hawk

For now, I'm just going to relax and bird. A note for my Tucson readers and snowbirder friends.  I went to Sweetwater Wetlands this weekend and did some reading up on the recent crime wave that has happened there.  Apparently, three cars were broken into over a 3 day period. In fact, the last two times I've been there, I witnessed a loose dog in the reeds and yet another car break-in. The family was in hysterics and so we had to call 911. I won't go into the details but regardless, some may tell you it's no big deal.  I don't know about you, but it is to me!  I'd like to apply money towards another trek and not towards a new car window:) 

A European Starling dazzles at Reid Park

Here's my recommendation if there aren't any cars in the parking lot at Sweetwater.  Park on the opposite side along Commerce Dr. where the businesses are located.  There are plenty of parking spaces with other cars present.  Enter the Wetlands from along the bike path along the wash.  You'll be able to see the recharge basins better anyway.  There are still lots of amazing birds and the area looks great.  Just be aware that they've been having theft issues. Sunday afternoon I was there alone and it felt weird not having others around me birding. 

A Canada Goose follows us around from our recent trip to Colorado Springs

Right now, I feel like these geese meandering....not sure which way I'll go.  But somehow I'll get there:) 

For more from around the world check out Wild Bird Wednesday.
 Also check out another one of Tommy D's hilarious Birding Stereotype videos about people who are just into ONE type of bird...in this case, hawks.  The Santa Cruz Flats are well known for some of the best wild raptor shows in Southern Arizona during our winter months.