Waiting to Exhale

Anna's Hummingbird with Pyracantha in the background

When you've seen all there is to see, you begin to study better what you already know.

It's that deeper understanding of habitats and bird behaviors that can be quite satisfying.

Such was the case during a trek out to the Santa Cruz flats.  Instead of chasing new birds, we just observed the ones present.

American Kestrel

 The scope comes out and we begin to scan. 

Magill scans the sod farm for Mountain Plovers

Of course, we try and search for that special rare bird or two. But on the Flats, it's always the wintering Mountain Plovers that steal the show.

First decent photo documentation of a Mountain Plover

 Rare or not, I'm never disappointed because I love birds. And it's so relaxing and fun trying to find as many birds as we can while we're out in the field.

Juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron

I especially love birding with good friends.   Add to the experience cold rainy weather and you've got a great day outdoors.  For a desert dweller recovering from the sweltering hot summer temps, it's nearly perfection:)

Male Vermilion Flycatcher

Subtle visitors come back to visit us during the winter like the Sagebrush Sparrow.  You won't see them unless you take the time to stop and smell the sage.  They aren't shy birds, but they do blend in well with their surroundings. And if you don't know they are out there, you'd never know they existed:)

Sagebrush Sparrow

A Greater Pewee migrates down to the lower elevations and hangs out at a local watering hole.

Greater Pewee

And a hesitant Broad-tailed Hummingbird sticks around longer than normal.

A late Broad-tailed Hummingbird

The holidays are coming and my work is not done. For now, I have a house to clean and final exams to prepare. I am one bird shy of my 700 life bird goal and I wonder which bird species it will be. But for now, during the "in between", I relax and revisit my favorite spots in Southern Arizona when I can squeeze in the time. Until next time.....

Chasers

Great Blue Heron

There's a lot going on behind the scenes here at Las Aventuras.  Almost too much.  Sometimes I need to tell myself to take a break.....and it doesn't always work.  I do enjoy counting birds, but it's also extremely fun playing detective trying to find new ones.  So the "rare bird of the week" will dictate where we go birding sometimes.  And sometimes, it's the only reason we go.

Black Crowned Night Heron.  Isn't it funny how we aren't shy when there is food around?  This fisherman gave his little buddy a fish from the bucket. I'll have to remember that one:)

I love that Kathie will text me and say, "Chris I'm here at the recharge pond looking for the Common Loon." I plot my GPS tracker on my way home from work and move quickly(and safely) to her location to help search for the bird.

But on this day, I would be near her coordinates and called her to get a Western Grebe on her Pima list.  There was also a Gull spotted in the area but work interferred for the prime spotting during the AM hours.  However there was a chance the gull may have still been in the area.  Kathie and I met up searching....and searching.   While waiting for her, I scoped out the area for the Western Grebe.

It's important helping your birding partner out and I feel really bad if we don't both see the bird. Kathie tells me not to stress about it.  And I understand but still....  Two are better than one because we can spot, track, observe and work together to list those birds in the area.  As a photographer, I am looking for that rare shot.  The "shot" is below, but we both lie to each other.  "I've only got an hour to bird."  Of course the hour turns into two.  The sun tells us that it's time to call it quits:)

Gila Woodpeckers

I spot the Western Grebe for Kathie and she gets to put it on her list.  We saw the Common Loon and get to put that bird on our lists for Pima County.  Of course, it doesn't always work out as you'll see in the upcoming week.  Life and location can be difficult.  I find that I am planning my days better just so I can fit in birding.....I mean exercise......oh hell....BOTH!

Vermilian Flycatcher

The shadows of the sun setting would reveal several Western Bluebirds on this day.  And that was AWESOME!  Kathie's eye caught that one.

Western Bluebird

But what really got her curiosity was this flock of blackbirds.  Her challenge, "Were there Cowbirds in the group?"  We crept closer....and closer.....and closer.

Blackbirds

And I saw a human walking toward the blackbirds getting closer....and closer.....and closer.  I smiled and warned Kathie the birds were going to fly.  And the two shots of the blackbirds in flight below are my favorites from this outing.  Kathie got her observations in.....I got the shot....and we both were satisfied and thankful that we got the chance to observe them.

Of course this post wouldn't be complete without the bird we were chasing.  The Western Grebe is a nice looking bird.  I had already seen it, but Kathie didn't have it on her Pima list. We are a team.  I research the night before and report back to Kathie the locations birds were found.  Sometimes I go alone....and other times, like today, we get to hang out together and look for birds and wildlife.

Western Grebe

Every day is a new revelation.  Every outing has merit.  It's an exercise of the body and mind.

And if you look closely, you might encounter a new surprise hiding.  Another exciting find was this group of Lark Sparrows.  I am so lucky to have a wonderful friend.  Thank you Gaelyn for linking us up again after getting lost in the blogosphere.  The best part is that our spouses are cool with us birding.  Well our spouses are pretty cool as well.  I have so much to write.  So much to share....and not enough time!  We are doing a Christmas Bird Count and will be busy "training" with Rich Hoyer over the next several weekends. Las Aventuras will be heading to Bosque Del Apache and Colorado Springs very soon:)

Lark Sparrows

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.  All my best!  Until tomorrow.....

The rare Northern Parula in Tucson.  I found this bird alone at Ft. Lowell Park.  Not a great camera shot.  Chasing isn't about great photography but finding the bird:)  

Let's See What's Out There

American Wigeon

Everytime I run out the door into the world, I keep an active eye out for new species.  It becomes increasingly difficult to spot new birds on wildlife outings as they have already been spotted before.  And not every outing is a success in finding that new lifebird.

Solitary Sandpiper

But I also look at every outing as a potential better sighting of a bird that will give me that million dollar shot.

Ruddy Duck

But today I wouldn't get the stellar shots as I'd get a new life species to add to my list.

Canvasback

Interviewing several birders in the area, they were all excited to report the Canvasback.  And they did indeed capture my attention as they had a reddish head with a clean white back.  I at first thought they were just another duck hybrid until further conversations revealed that they were indeed special.

Northern Harrier

While "listing" as many bird species as I could, I was able to observe the Northern Harrier in great detail.  Like the American Kestrel, it comes and goes.  It has been awhile since I had seen the bird. So it was fun to make observations.

Black Crowned Night Heron

Herons are strange birds.  Sometimes they will sit super close to you while fishing and other times they'll just hide in the vegetation.  In many ways, they make me laugh.  They'll use you for food and then disappear.....much like our cats at home:)

Northern Harrier

At the time, I had been trying to figure out this bird of prey above.  In one other shoot, I came back with terribly terrible pics.  It was only on this day that I could get an ID from this pic.  Very tricky with the sun setting.

The Canvasback stayed for that day and then disappeared the next.  They weren't spotted at all afterwards. And like many of the birders had advised me to do....."Get your shot now because they are not a reliable bird to see around this area."  So I did and now have ID evidence:)

But I get distracted with all the other things going on....Harris Hawks hunting, ducks quacking, etc etc.....

Harris Hawk Family

And everytime I go out into the field, I am energized by the possibility that maybe....just maybe, I'll find something new:)  Little did I know but in the upcoming days ahead, I'd discover more incredible new birds.  Stay tuned for more.......

Black Neck Stilts

An Active Day!

Vermilion Flycatcher(male) and curious:)

It was El Presidio Gardens 2nd clean up event for this year and thank you to all the homeowners who came to help out on this very important day.  Without your help, our property would grow into a jungle!

Say what you like about pigeons but they do look beautiful in groups flying circles.  In fact, Miramonte Neighborhood has a group that swirls in circles AM and PM.  A signature piece to the Country Club/Speedway corners.

But on this day of write(10/6), something bigger would be revealed.  It has been hot here and now with the cooler temps arriving, it seems everyone has been breathing a sigh of relief!  Even the birds.

African Brown Goose

During our workday, I was overwhelmed by the number of bird species coming to visit El Presidio.  And let's not forget the butterflies.  For me, it was a testament that the gardens are serving their purpose.  Certain plants attract certain critters and for the first time(during the entire day), I was able to see how our property is attracting these magnificent creatures.  The research is paying off.

Black Crowned Night Heron

Certain areas have natural springs and of course, there are the parks......

Which is where I took these photos today.  Two Arizona blocks away is Reid Park.  I needed to get some birding in before our workday because I knew I would be exhausted afterwards. So I got up early and headed to the park where I would get my best shots ever of the Black Crowned Night Heron.

I was floored!  Never had I expected to find these magnificent creatures up in this tree.  In fact, there seemed to be an entire rookery up there!  But even stranger was this Great Egret on the adjacent branch!!!  Between this one bird and the many herons, I was snapping off shots for a half hour!  Even better was that I was finally able to get a nice shot of the Egret.  If you've tried to photograph these birds in the wrong lighting, you know what I'm talking about:)  In Tucson, our sun is intense and this bird glows on the shots because the white feathers reflect the sun!  Not today:)

But then, I nearly crapped myself.  And I almost missed it but thanks to my constantly evolving "bird sense", I spotted my first Kingfisher for the year!!!  The cherry on top of that delicious ice cream sundae.  This is the Belted Kingfisher.

I hope to get better shots of this wintering bird this year so we shall see.  But this bird is like spotting an owl....it makes me go "Ooooooo":)

Reid Park is my recommendation for those wanting to spot the Vermilion Flycatcher.  They are numerous here and seem to love the bandstand area.  Look at the trees around the building.  If this is on your life list and have limited time in Tucson,  head here early in the morning.  I spotted 5 pairs.  My female shots weren't so good.  She's yellow and has that black band around her eyes. 

While the pic below isn't up to snuff, I wanted to help you find where these birds like to perch.  This fence held two species.  The Gila Woodpecker stopped in for some fun.  It's one of the most reliable birds to see in the landscape.  You may not see the billion birds out there, but you'll always spot this Tucson favorite. And hear them as well:)

Like the Great Egret, this bird can also be difficult to get on camera because it's so small and if the sun hits the red feathers right, you may get blurry images.

There's plenty of water for these birds in this park.  I got there before the humans arrived with their dogs.  It was quiet, peaceful and the birds were happy.

Birding is definitely something to do bright and early.

Surprisngly I felt recharged and refreshed for some great gardening afterwards.  Although today as I type, my hands are full of cacti spines!  Yes, I wore gloves but none of that matters because our place looks fabu.

I came back and everyone was ready to work.  I pulled out my mental list.  Trees that needed pruning.  Weeds that needed pulling.  Plants that needed planting. Etc etc.

And while we were having our HOA meeting outside, I had a difficult time concentrating.  Because of the amazing life around me in the canopy of the trees.....the Curve Billed Thrasher, House Sparrows, House Finches, Cardinals, Verdins, Mourning Doves, Anna's Hummingbirds, Northern Mockingbird, etc etc.  They were all there and it was incredible. Truly incredible. And the butterflies hovered and clung to many of our leaves.  There were Queens and Swallowtails galore.

And I realized that once we add a water feature to the courtyard, we will have the perfect storm for maximum critter activity. Who knows?  We may become an EBIRD hotspot:)

And yet another shocker for me......this Starling.  They have invaded Tucson.  I thought I was seeing things but no....indeed, this was the Starling that gets everyone all angry.  But for me it was a life bird like the Belted Kingfisher so I kind of looked at this bird differently:)  Pretty scary looking.

And vocal!!!

To finish this post, I thought I'd end with a Swallowtail on Lantana shot.  Look at the wings of this beautiful butterfly.  You may notice that they aren't in great shape.  This is their last hoorah for the year and I will be sad when they disappear.