Saturday, August 13, 2016

Dead Heat


The heat.  The hot, muggy, wet monsoonal heat. It's part of the contract we mentally signed when we agreed to live in the desert.  Anyone who says it's a dry heat, needs to visit Tucson in July through September. In fact, if you say "dry heat" to an Arizonan, they'll probably smack you:) No matter what.  It's hot here. 

The anvil builds and it's a sign that there will be a storm!
What an amazing show from Mother Nature though!  I won't lie.  During this time of year, I lock myself inside the house and watch it all from my windows.  You'd be surprised how much activity is going on out there!  But when temps are 105 degrees at 80 percent humidity, one tends to shut the curtains and imagine the possibilities of tomorrow. 


Not unlike the cold snowy winters of the north or eastern states of the US, our time of misery is now. I sit at my desk and research, crunch data, money, and plan.  Sometimes I wait for a big break in the weather to go outdoors.  And eventually, I get one!

Greater Yellowlegs
I get in my car and drive!  Migration is upon us and that means there are a lot of cool birds coming through the state.  The rain cooled air feels so good.  A cold breeze touches my skin and I discover that my goose pimples are still present.  I just stand outside, free from my chains, and breathe.  I'm birding again!  There's nothing worse than being a caged bird inside your own home!

Baird's Sandpiper
The birds seem to be happy as well.  They sit up and pose for the camera.  No sun.  No heat.  Just a wonderful moment.  That is until a Peregrine Falcon flies over and reminds everyone that they still can be eaten. 

Scaled Quail
I knew it wouldn't last forever and so I just tried to absorb the moment.  And sure enough, the next day, temperatures were on the rise as was the humidity!  The cloud cover was all but gone. 


But after the storm left, we noticed many Wilson's Warblers in our area!  During migration, storms are known for helping birds move from one area to the next!

Wilson's Warbler
While the temps are high, the birds still amaze!  Best time out here is early morning and yeah....early morning:)


Hummingbirds, peeps, warblers and so many other birds are beginning their journeys back home. May they endure the heat and long trek.  Until next time.....


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11 comments:

  1. Margaret Birding For PleasureAugust 13, 2016 at 11:09 PM

    Too hot for me! I love thhose weilson's Warbler shots and that collage is gorgeous. Have a wonderful Sunda

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    1. RohrerbotAugust 14, 2016 at 10:38 AM

      Thank you! Having coffee on my Sunda! It's back to work tomorrow:)

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  2. Ragged RobinAugust 14, 2016 at 3:50 AM

    Wonderful photos Chris - love the one of the anvil cloud :) I couldn't cope with the heat and humidity you get but glad you get the occasional relief and can get out birding. I would imagine it's still hot early morning!

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    1. RohrerbotAugust 14, 2016 at 10:35 AM

      It's terrible. I put on weight because I do a lot of my birding from the car and that's not any good. And yes, the mornings are less miserable....but they are still miserable. People always come to visit us in the summer, during our worst temps, and want to go birding and I don't want to go out at all. It's not fun. Plus I have to remind them to drink water! They forget and get bad headaches. OR they want to do these extreme hikes in 95+ degree temps. No thank you. This guy will stay in his car with the a/c running:)

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  3. eileeninmdAugust 14, 2016 at 3:57 AM

    Hello Chris. Great post and photos. My favorite is the Quail, what a cutie.
    Our temps here feel like 105 or more with the humidity, yuck! Enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

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    1. RohrerbotAugust 14, 2016 at 10:37 AM

      Thanks Eileen. I love grouse, quail, turkeys.......so many great birds. As for your temps! I know. I feel for you guys. The humidity is the worst. While I was home in WI, we had some really bad days. And a lot of people don't have a/c like my parents so we find cooler spots to hang out with the fans on. But the fans just blow the hot humid air:) Fall is coming and so are the cooler temps.

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  4. Phil SladeAugust 15, 2016 at 12:18 AM

    For someone resident in the Northern Hemisphere it's hard to imagine staying idoors because it's too hot. Here we saty indoors when the weather is too wet and windy. Your dead right though Chris, the early morning is the only time to bird. More birds less people.

    That's the problem with this tiny island of ours - too many people since the politicians decided to let in millions of folk in pursuit of money for their paymasters, big business. This has a knock on effect on the environment, more roads, more buildings, more disturbance to existing wildlife, etc, etc.

    Same is happening elsewhere in Europe. You're better of in hot Arizona Chris.

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  5. Richard PeglerAugust 15, 2016 at 1:37 AM

    It seems that the heat brings out the poet in you, Chris! A super post, with some great images. The beetles look amazing - what are they?

    Best wishes to you both - - - Richard

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    1. RohrerbotAugust 15, 2016 at 7:58 AM

      They are called June Beetles but really June Beetle describes several species. So we'll call them Cotinis mutabilis:)

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  6. NatureFootstepAugust 15, 2016 at 2:26 AM

    those beatles seem to be very large. Not sure I would like it. Love your gorgeous birds though. Especially the hummers :)

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  7. Stewart MAugust 16, 2016 at 3:50 AM

    Ah heat! I'm in the cool part of the season around Darwin - 32+, but at least it's …… dry!

    Great set of pictures.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Jabiru, Northern Territory, Australia

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Thanks for stopping by!