I found a magical fairy village in the middle of the woods! |
Enjoying the cool breeze of a monsoon storm in Sierra Vista along the San Pedro River |
And it is during this time of year that I collect my data for migrating warblers, shorebirds and birds listed as endangered or in decline. Did they nest? Are there juveniles? Are there more or less of these birds coming through the area right now? After chasing life birds in Chiapas, I just felt I needed to connect more with "my birds" and do quality study.
The monsoon clouds build over Cochise Lake in Wilcox |
Black-necked Stilts |
A Northern Mockingbird chases a Swainson's Hawk off the post. That takes some huevos. |
Black-tailed |
White-winged Dove perches on an Ocotillo |
A male Northern Cardinal sits on top of a Saguaro. Talk about a strange sight! |
Gila Woodpeckers are LOVING the sugar water right now. Sorry hummingbirds! |
Spiders hid on leaves. And chats.....did a lot of chatting:)
Yellow-breasted Chat |
Thankfully, they were all there safe and sound.
Here's my friend who is still around |
Back at my work site, I do a weekly survey of the birds found around the campus. The Purple Martins were concerning for me because they are clear cutting major areas of desert next to the school and wash. Normally, I see these birds before school is out but I hadn't seen them before summer break. However, I was SO happy when I discovered this desert subspecies flying around the Saguaro cactus at the start of our new school year.
I don't know how they did it with all the chaos around them but they raised another wonderful family. They had 3 young at the time but have now begun their migration. I hope they return next year. It's crazy how connected I have become with my local birds.
Black-crowned Night Heron |
The heat can be intense! Thankfully warbler migration begins on top of Mt. Lemmon in August and this is where I'll finish my reporting.
Townsend's Warbler |
On this beautiful day, we had 11 of the 13 warbler species on the mountain. The Wilson's, Townsend'ss and Hermit warblers were AMAZING! It was a successful outing indeed!
Wilson's Warbler |
Hermit Warbler in flight |
Birding can be quite meaningful. With this collection of data, I become stronger and better at being not just a birder but a true citizen scientist.
Over the next two weeks, we'll meet new friends on the trails. Las Aventuras is about to begin Chapter 3 of "Americano". Stay tuned for more friends:)
yes this looks like you had am amazing trip with great birds seen and photographed along with other critters
ReplyDeleteGreat set of pictures - love the ears on that rabbit looking thing! Are you sure the display on the tree stump is not a Bower Birds bower?
ReplyDeletecheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
I simply love this last picture, better than "B.... for dummies!"
ReplyDeleteNot the best weather, but glad to see the birds you're documenting again.
ReplyDeleteThese are all great captures Chris! Carry a bleach pen for the chiggers or a bottle of clear nail polish...both work for me.
ReplyDeleteGreat set of pictures, Chris. Brings back great memories of previous visits to southeast Arizona.
ReplyDeleteAnother great set of birds and pictures Chris. That Cardinal on the Saguaro is a super picture which tells me a lot about the relative size of each. Talking of size, I thought our European Brown hare was quite a big animal but it would be dwarfed by your jackrabbit. That's a nice description of warblers - "dancing under the shadows of leaves. Very apt, descriptive and helpful for anyone struggling to find warblers.
ReplyDeleteThe book looks handy. Too much dosh spent on optics huh?
And there's a NEW lens coming out for my camera!!! OOOOOOHHHHH I shouldn't but I seriously use my equipment almost on a daily so I can justify the expanse and upgrade?:)
DeleteSuch a positive posting about the status of your birds :) Nice to touch base with family and friends (that's what this feels like to me!) Love that last shot.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I feel Rosemary:) Sometimes I get so frustrated, but when I see a bird or something naturesque, I forget why I was frustrated:)
DeleteLovely post Chris - just love that cute jack-rabbit :)
ReplyDeleteI love patch birding - there's always new discoveries to be made and surprises too :)
Ha, ha, Rohrer! Love that last photo! So sorry to hear about the decline of the yellow-billed cuckoo! I know they used to be seen at the Rio Rico pond until they cut back all the trees and brush to put that power line in! While it was just a small patch of habitat, it really mattered to the birds who lived there! Great post!
ReplyDelete