A True Spectacle

Plumbeous Vireo

Vireo.  A simple and yet complicated bird.  One that masks itself within other small birds like gnatcatchers, warblers, and kinglets.  It makes the game of birding a tricky one.  But the one thing that gives these birds away are the "spectacles" that they wear around their eyes.

And yet, they aren't the easiest to spot.  Lately my eyes catch slower and random movements.....and within those observations, I discover my vireos. They usually tend to be doing their own thing.  And that's when I find myself understanding the word "observation" better.  The more we observe behaviors; the better we become at counting birds. And I find myself beginning to look for those different movements.

Cassin's Vireo

Many times, it's just one hop, skip or flutter to the branch that makes me say, "Wait a minute, that movement is distinct from________________(fill in the blank with gnatcatcher, a warbler, flycatcher, etc)"

And I wasn't quite sure I'd be able to tell the difference between a Plumbeous or Cassin's Vireo.  The Hutton's Vireo can cause beginners to scratch their heads as they try and figure out if the Hutton's is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet or Hammond's Flycatcher. Of course, this is simple stuff to the expert eye but not for beginners who don't know what to look for!  And if you're looking at the appearances, it can be as confusing as a Sparrow.  However those days are over:)  I'm getting cocky now but when I'm in Guatemala this summer, I'll be starting all over again as a newbie:) Oh I can see the ID headaches already.....:) And I won't even talk about sparrows:) Child's play to some while for others(like me), hours sitting behind a book and screen looking for those"field marks!"

However, after many observation hours, these 3 become very distinct. Sound. Movement.  And of course the body/head shapes.  The Hutton's was my first greatest confusion from the vireo family.  But then I met my Plumbeous last year.  Was it really gray?  Or was it a Cassin's green?  After seeing both, I can now say, these two aren't difficult at all.

They are sweet acting little birds that for me are often found jumping quietly on a branch. A Kinglet will rattle away.  A Warbler "CHIP!".  But a Vireo?  Perhaps a quiet tweet.  But their gentle and slower movements cause me to pause and evaluate.

In Tucson, we have 3 vireos on our lists. Of course, there are many more vireos out there, but these are the 3 to look for here in the Old Pueblo.  If you put your spectacles on, you might actually be looking at a vireo:)  I wear my glasses at night.  Maybe that's why it's taken me so long to find them all:) Well not all....there are more many more of these birds in other parts not found here.  Until next time.....

Hutton's Vireo

Stop to Smell the....

Hooded Skunk on the Proctor Trail near Madera Canyon

I never forget that while on our little adventures to look up every now and again at the epic landscapes around us.  Today’s post is about watching where we step and noticing the “bigger picture”.

Willcox Lake

Part of the fun from birding comes from the great eats and hikes along the way.  And the views are to die for!

Bisbee, AZ

Most of the time, it's quiet.  No planes.  No cars. No people!  Just the wind blowing through grasslands.

The Whitewater Draw-Male Northern Harrier

There are moments of pure perfection as the sun sets or rises.

It's  during those moments I smile and think about how magical this trek continues to be.

Agua Caliente Park, Tucson

Along the way, I have faced cold and hot temps, blowing dust, whipping frigid winds, and some close wildlife encounters.

But the views keep me coming back.  As do the birds:)

Lakeside Park, Tucson with Great Egret

We inspect every blade of grass, hilltop, treetop, river, lake, and rock.  Movement catches our eyes and we spot a coyote(below).

And then there are moments of lazy birding around foreign feeders.  White-crowned sparrows and a Pyrrhuloxia dazzle the eyes.

San Pedro House near Sierra Vista

Sometimes the birds take you to secret hidden places most people don't know about.....like the waterfalls of the Santa Cruz river.

Santa Cruz River on a cold day

A solitary tree against the backdrop of snow covered mountains energizes the soul.  What lies beyond that next canyon? Or mountain range?

Friends make everything better.  A hot cup of coffee with Ms. Kathie Brown makes the outing even more special.

The birds surround us. Again. No cars. No planes.  No people.  Just nature.

And not all is perfection when there are factors that push the human limits.

Sometimes people get dragged along for the ride:) They enjoy the spectacles for brief moments before saying, "Enough is enough!"

And of course, I have to watch where I step.  This little guy almost sprayed me while I was taking his pic.  Instead, he sprayed a rude family with a dog!  As I walked back to my car, I heard the scream and then....oooh no!!!  Kharma.  Always pay attention to your surroundings.  And if you bring a dog that is going to bite people, you probably should leave them home.

This last photo warmed my heart while we were at Reid Park and it is one of two pictures from this post that are my favorites. I have always been an observer since I was a kid.  And for the first time in my life, I am seeing things clearly.

Reid Park, Tucson

From Out of Nowhere

Northern Harrier

Whether it be with another birder like Kathie or alone, I sometimes think to myself that it won't be very "birdy" when I first arrive at my destination.   Thankfully, I have lots of experience to suggest that giving "it time" will be full of great reveals.

The Whitewater Draw

The scenery, of course, is gorgeous and can draw your attention away from the action.  But I listen carefully for bird sounds and wait.  A burst of bird energy will surface and then all birds will be up in the air at once!

Blackbirds

These Blackbirds for example came in droves by the hundreds and then quickly disappeared.  I snapped as many shots as I could get so that I could ID them at home.  The flocks were full of Yellow Headed Blackbirds and Red Wing Blackbirds.  But there were others mixed in as well:)

Yellow Headed Blackbirds in flight

And so on this day at the Whitewater Draw, I thought I may not get a new lifebird until a group of birds came at me from out of nowhere!  Finding lifebirds is incredibly exciting and when that moment happens, all I do is snap pictures with an incredible focus.  I don't necessarily know what they are specifically at first but I have my bird guide close by after the shoot to research.

Eared Grebes in flight

Today it would be birds from the "Grebe" family.  Were they Western or the Eared Grebe?  Great question.

Eared Grebes

The first thing I do is check the Whitewater Bird List and write down the Grebes reported in the area.  Then I open my bird book and study the pictures both in the bird guide and on my camera.

For these birds, it took the markings on the wings to help me ID.  These were the Eared Grebes.  I observed for about 40 minutes as they dove in and out of the water.  They were quite cute and "playful".

Afterwards, I felt satisfied leaving the area knowing I added a new bird to my list. Several birders from Vermont were looking at a bird up in the rafters.  The woman declared it was a Western Kingbird and argued strongly with her mates.

Is this a Say's Phoebe or Western Kingbird?  What say you?

The men stood their grounds and thought it was a Say's Phoebe.

Can you tell which bird this is?

Vanishing Into Nature

"Hey you! Yeah you between the trees....."

Painted Redstart

                                                                     "in the trees....."

Northern Cardinal

                                                     "flying between the trees....."

"clinging onto the trees....."

Red Naped Sapsucker

"thinking about leaving the tree......"

                                                 "peeking beyond the branches....."

"I know you're there. You can no longer hide from me. Especially when red is your color:)"

Summer Tanager

"And while they aren't perfect shots, they are proof you existed and that I saw you.  You glorious creatures."
And like everything in nature, it all vanishes away.

Taken this past Sunday morning from El Presidio Gardens.  Personally I like my Arizona skies blue;)

The Chuparosa Challenge-Girl Problems

I know I know.  Tough life:)  Hey, it's a challenge.  There's nothing easy about this post today:)  So this was the 3rd Chuparosa Challenge and I was on a search for the Female White Eared Hummingbird.  This challenge would prove to be a failure.  Or would it?  The females in the hummingbird family are some of the MOST difficult to identify in the bird world.

Today I would get much better shots of the hummingbirds as I searched high and low for the female White Eared Hummer.  While the males are pretty easy to pick out, the females and juveniles provide the most difficulty.  A birder once told me that you have to look at the throat, bill, color of the bill, shape of the bill and flight patterns to figure out who is who in the world of hummers.  With only 16 hummers to identify, one would think that easy.....but it's not. Arizona is one of the only places to see all of these hummingbirds in North America. And did you know?  In South America, there are over 200 varieties of hummingbirds?  Talk about a show!

But I would capture my usual suspects.....the Broad Billed and Black Chinned Hummingbirds.

And they were pretty amazing....once again.

I am never disappointed by their grace and dignity:)

But then, I viewed the trees in the area and found my first female.  Green, dark line from eye, and orange bill.  It was a little dark at the end.  The White Eared Hummer?  No.  So it made me think....could birders have mislabeled the bird?  This female is a Broad Billed Hummer.  She has a longer bill than that of the female White Ear.  And let me tell you, I asked birders all around and they were all stumped.  After sitting down at home for several hours comparing pics and using my guide, I am convinced that this is the Broad Billed Female.  The White Ear is similiar but with a shorter bill.   Darn it!

Than I saw this female.  And my heart started racing!!!  Could it be????  No.  This is the Magnificent Female.  Long dark bill. And more importantly....you have to look at the front of the breast.

Like most of the males in the bird world, they are much more showy with brighter and brilliant colors.  Look at how this male Broad Billed Hummingbird shines a bright blue in the sun.

He is definitely a stunner!

While the females are challenging, I don't feel like this was time lost.  I am quickly learning the names of the hummers with extensive time in the field.  Today I can identify them a little bit more than the last time I wrote from the Chuparosa Challenge.  Stay tuned for more.....