Saturday, April 23, 2016

Las Aventuras: Home

Spotted Owls
With the first part of migration over, it was time to do some mountain and riparian trekking for other incoming migrants.

Lark Bunting
Some of the hikes were steep and quite a killer on the feet:)  But I wasn't going to find many birds sitting down.  The first of my two yearly treks into Miller Canyon happened.  On my second trek in June, most of the special hummingbirds like the White-eared and Blue-throated Hummingbirds should be back.

Scott's Oriole
I visited several hotspots around the Huachuca mountains and I walked along the San Pedro River. It was a beautiful day out finding familiar faces and birds along the trails:)

Gray Hawk
Along the waterways, we spied 3 Gray Hawks flying over the verdant canopy of the San Pedro River.

Pyrrhuloxias
On our return back, the color red caught my eye and I was seduced by the beautiful Pyrrhuloxias at the Casa De San Pedro feeders. 

Lots of Pyrrhuloxias
Before we hiked the trail along the river, there hadn't been any activity.  But when we returned, there were hundreds of birds all feeding!  What a show!

More Pyrrhuloxias with female Red-winged Blackbirds and a Gila Woodpecker
After several months of thought and the direction my birding is going this year, I have chosen the 2016 theme, "Home."  My focus is all about the detail surrounding birds and their lives.

A beautiful male Magnificent Hummingbird along the trail we were hiking.
As we search for new life, we'll explore both the known and the unknown.  While my photo essays will take me into California, Wisconsin and now Texas, I'll continue my work in Arizona.  Hummingbirds are migrating back in great numbers now and I look forward to the work ahead of me this year.


Here are the reports for Miller Canyon, the San Pedro River and Ash Canyon.  Until next time....



17 comments:

  1. Now that last shot is priceless however I loved see all the shots and hearing what you have been up to and I like your title for the year. that should be interesting. Have a lovely weekend.

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  2. Love your enthusiasm and photos all. The last one should be framed.

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  3. That's an absolutely wonderful array of bird images, Chris. I'll leave you to guess which are my favourites, however!!

    I wish you the very best of luck with your chosen theme for 2016 - - - Richard

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  4. Wonderful idea for your theme of the year :) The photos are all wonderful especially the last shot :) I just love seeing the hummingbirds on your posts - I can only being to imagine what it must be like to see them in the wild! Hope you are having a good weekend.

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  5. The gray hawk is gorgeous. So sleek. What an adorable shot of the owlet!

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  6. Your images make me so homesick for the Great Southwest! Wonderful photos.

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  7. Your images make me so homesick for the Great Southwest1 Great photos!

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  8. Great series of birds! The photos of owls are wonderful. I like owls.

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  9. You never cease to amaze me with the range of birds you find on your treks Chris, your last shot here is a beauty, made me very happy :)

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  10. Brilliant images of Owls.. ADORABLE.. Un saludito desde Madrid..

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  11. Nice to visit again today. I must tell you that last Saturday there were 14 Sandhill Cranes in a perfect "V" formation that flew right over the top of my home and not far over my head while I was in the garden. Two days ago there was a pure white Snow Owl that flew within feet of my big windows overlooking the lake - so nice to see all these feathered friends here at my gardens. Jack

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    1. I've always wondered what birds you attract to your gardens around the yard.Thank you for sharing the info. That's really awesome about the Snowy Owl!!! You have some prime territory over there for amazing birds. Hoping it warms up a little for you. I know my family is telling me that's it's off and on now:)

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  12. Your owl photos always get me. Those eyes!!!

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    1. Besides the Common Nighthawk and Wild Turkeys that came to visit you on those several occasions, what other birds do you have visiting your gardens? You've got lots of great flowering plants during the summer.

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  13. Great photos and stories as always. Love the colors on the hummingbird and, of course, the baby owl is too cute!

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  14. Good luck with your theme for 2016! I love the owls and especially the last shot.

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