Sunday, April 9, 2017

Between Blade And Blossom

Monarch Butterfly
It has been a lovely spring migration so far this year.  As birds arrive, I watch how they interact with the blooming plant life. 

Arizona Bell's Vireo
Tucson is also home to some amazing butterfly life as well.  As everything blooms, we watch Monarch, Queen and Pipevine Butterflies connect with the colorful array of wildflowers. 

Northern Rough-Winged Swallow
Warblers and Vireos are easier to see as the trees are only just beginning to leaf out. 


Yellow Warbler
Many species of bee visit our wildflowers. 

Desert Globemallow
I hear the call of a Verdin and approach this Blue Palo Verde slowly.  Among the massive yellow explosion, I find.....

Blue Palo Verde
......a Verdin making a nest and snipping off the delicate yellow blooms of the tree. 

Verdin in Blue Palo Verde
I know that the wild Tree Tobacco is popular to many hummingbirds.  I stand and watch the tree knowing that there will be a hummingbird arriving soon to feed from the tubular flowers. 

Black-chinned Hummingbird staking out a Tree Tobacco
I discover a turf war between male Black-chinned and Anna's Hummingbirds.  The Black-chinned hide in the shadows and send the male Anna's Hummingbird away. 


Anna's Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummer resumes his feeding from the plant. 



The Arizona Bell's Vireo calls from the mesquite; a favorite haunt of the bird. 


The last of the wintering Orange-crowned Warblers picks apart this cattail. 

Orange-crowned Warbler
 And as fresh blades grow high, a rare American Bittern hides in the shadows feeding from tadpoles. 

the American Bittern at Sweetwater
Spring has arrived. Birders keep their binoculars near with the hopes of spotting something rare during migration.  Each day can be an exciting one. This is one of the best times to visit Southern Arizona.  You never know what will show up.  Until next time.....



11 comments:

  1. Great set of shots - I think this may be my last butterfly weekend for a while - first cold and wet period of autumn. But, you never know!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  2. Que pajarillos tan lindos.. Que tengas feliz semana. .

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  3. Great post Chris - it is such a lovely time of year with Spring flowers, migration under way and the first butterflies :) Love the last photo :)

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  4. Some beautiful bird shots Chris,and a cracking shot of the Monarch buterfly.Love the hummers too, we dipped into Arizona to visit the South rim of that big cannion thing you have LOL. unfortunatly didn't have any time for birding.
    All the best Gordon.

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  5. Birds, blossom and butterfly - all lovely shots

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  6. Très belle série ;-)
    Céline & Philippe

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  7. Oh how nice this is! I sure do miss my sweet little verdins! :-(

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  8. Oh my goodness there were some wonderful bird shots here. The Vireo is so cute and I loved the hummingbirds. Fun shot at the end.

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  9. Great series of birds! Your photos are so beautiful and gorgeous.

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