The antics of the Rosy-faced Lovebirds at Granada Park |
So Gordon says to me, "Hey do you want to check out Granada Park before we head up?" I say, "Yeah. Sounds like fun." So I drive up to Phoenix from Tucson. And I remember quickly that there is a person shooting at cars along the interstate.
"Oh geez." I say to myself. "What is wrong with this world? Why are there so many stupid morons out there?" I think about my odds as I drive the sparsely populated interstate during the early morning hours alone. I safely reach Gordon's place and we take off quickly to survey Granada Park. Holy cow! There are lots and lots of Rock Pigeons and Rosy-faced Lovebirds flying around!
I swear these little cuties are taking over the Phoenix Metro area. We get to Magill's place and see more Lovebirds flying over our heads!
Then, I get excited spotting a Canada Goose. There are not many of these birds down in Tucson, but in Phoenix, there are quite a few. Why? Phoenix people love their water. And they have lots and lots of watering holes around the metro area creating perfect Canada goose habitat.
Canada Geese are cool. We don't see them often in Tucson |
An early arriving Ring-necked Duck |
This bee demonstrates pollination at work |
Take for example this hummingbird imposter, the White-lined Sphinx Moth. This is for my friend Ragged Robin who loves moths. These bugs are often confused with hummingbirds because of the way they fly and look. Fascinating critters!
White-lined Sphinx Moth |
A Robber Fly gets smacked off the leaf by a Whitelined Sphinx Caterpillar |
Mormon Metalmark |
Chestnut-sided Warbler |
An early arriving Greater White-fronted Goose sans the white front |
Hey Chris! Just back from our cruise....we drove through Phoenix on our way out, worrying a bit over the car shooter on I-10 but made it fine as well. Had an amazing week and can't wait to post the photos (not many birds, unfortunately) Loved this posting...some lovely birds and insects! Get some rest! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Marie,
DeleteI look forward to your postings. Sounds like a blast!
Those little love birds are so sweet looking. The Canadian Goose you can keep. They are such a pain here. The parks and inland lake shores are covered in poop.
ReplyDeleteI know! They've taken over my parent's yard in WI:) They are a winter bird for me. Winter and geese. What's more perfect than that?:)
DeleteYour day sounds much like mine did on the first (and last) day of my road trip last week!
ReplyDeleteLife can be very interesting sometimes:)
DeleteLove the love birds.
ReplyDeleteAren't they cute?
DeleteHello Chris!:) Amazing shots of the Sphinx moth and the caterpillar with Robber fly Chris. Glad you saw the Canada Goose, nice to see something you don't get to see all that often, and the butterfly/moth don't know which, is really pretty. I hope you feel rested now, and have a good week.
ReplyDeleteThank you Breathtaking. Things are starting to get better. For the last two weeks, it has been hell! I need to remember to take a breather once and awhile.
DeleteThose Lovebirds are pretty cute, Chris, but it's always a bit worrying when alien species start multiplying strongly. We're starting to get a big problem with Ring-necked Parakeets in UK!
ReplyDeleteYour White-lined Sphinx Moth looks as if it's closely related to our Humming-bird Hawk-moth - always a delight to see!
Best wishes - - - - Richard
Yes....we are wondering what is going to happen. Population crash or.....???!!! These birds continue to grow in great numbers but only around the Phoenix Metro area. The surveys are always interesting.
DeleteIf aliens are invading I guess Rosy-faced Lovebirds are about as good as it gets!
ReplyDeleteThey are cute. And much more colorful than those Rock Pigeons:)
DeleteThose lovebirds really do get lovey dove when I've seen them. Shame us humans can't be a little more loving to each other. Sorry Chris but Canada Geese are a bit of a pain in the proverbial here in the UK.
ReplyDeleteStay safe from the lunatics.
Lunatic is in jail right now. The big question for everyone is....for how long??
DeleteWhat a wonderful post Chris and thanks so much for the mention :) And yes, I do absolutely adore the White-lined Sphinx moth and its caterpillar :) Have seen a couple of Hummingbird Hawkmoths over here this year - when my son and daughter first saw the species on Jersey they really did think they were hummingbirds :) Love the Metalmark butterfly too and the Lovebirds are exceedingly cute :)
ReplyDeleteVery relieved you didn't have any problems with shooters!
Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful wildlife trip :)
They've caught the shooters now, thank goodness! If you ever make it to Arizona with the hubby or to visit, let me know. It would be my pleasure to show you both around our beautiful state.
DeleteBeautiful photos - so envious of the wild lovebirds! Glad you navigated the "gauntlet" safely with no one shooting. We had some of that here in So Cal years ago and it was awful. People are nutz!
ReplyDeletePeople are seriously crazy. I feel sorry for the wildlife:(
DeleteVery entertaining post!
ReplyDeleteGreat bird photos! Bees, flowers, and moths, too!
Lea
Thank you Lea!
DeleteYou have loverbirds, who has set them free? Invasive speecies can be interesting, but also a big problem. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteI think back in the 80's there were some escapees. They then spread since their habitat back in Africa is very similar to the Phoenix climate. And today they are taking over the metro area:)
DeleteGreat photos of birds and insects. I especially like the Rosy-faced Lovebirds. They are definitely cute! Glad you avoided the shooter! Crazy people!!
ReplyDeleteCrazy indeed! Thankfully they caught everyone now.
DeleteA great series of shots. The love birds are...lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen!
DeleteWhat an eventful time. Look at all those lovebirds. You saw so much that was interesting. Well I am glad they caught the shooters. I often wonder if the world has gone mad.
ReplyDeleteThe world has indeed gone mad:(
Deletethose lovebirds are so darn cute! (and noisy). :)
ReplyDeletelove the hummingbird moth!
Those birds are adorable. As always you have beautiful photos to share. I don't understand some people either.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds. I like those love birds.
ReplyDelete