"Peep" Show

Long-billed Dowitchers

As a beginning birder earlier this year, I'd hear the word "peeps" used on a regular basis.  I had NO idea what that meant until I asked a birder.  From my Wisconsin viewpoint, I thought it meant "buddies" as in "my peeps" or my peers!

In the field, it's hard to ID small birds from a distance, but we know they're out there.  They are small birds that normally consist of sandpipers, snipes etc.  We can see them flying but we can't ID them.   At that point, these birds are all lumped into the category known as peeps.

What was special about Gilbert Water Ranch was that we could get up and close to these birds without them flying off from us!  And we just sat watching these incredible birds walk right past us near the shore.

Black Neck Stilt

It was an exciting morning as Kathie and I sat on the shore counting and ID'ing birds. Lighting is a constant challenge in Arizona as the sun is very bright, but I am happy with the results.

Least Sandpipers

The nicest part was watching the Sandpipers up close and observing their behaviors. But I also had other surprises.

The Green Heron below was hunting.  These particular herons are the trickiest to capture on camera and I was thrilled to peer from a bush with Kathie and watch the bird stalk its food.

Green Heron

The Black Neck Stilts were also important.  I have not been able to get a nice clear shot for a long time.  My fingers fumbled through the triggers on my camera as I was overwhelmed with closeup shots.  One bird species would pass and another would distract!  No fair!

Had it not been for Kathie's eye, I would not have been able to spot the Wilson's Snipe.  It was a total thrill to strain my eyes and lens to find this one.  With the bright sun and various browns, I almost missed out on this bird. Now if I go out into the field, I'll have a better eye for this species.

Wilson's Snipe

The "Peep" show was out of this world!  I highly recommend this preserve in Gilbert for birders/nature enthusiasts visiting Arizona.  If you're stuck in Phoenix and wanting to connect with the outdoors, this is the perfect place.  There are bathrooms and more importantly......drinking fountains at the entrance.  People forget how hot it gets in AZ(even in winter) and don't prepare for the water situation.  At least here you have a quick rescue nearby if you get thirsty:) I find that while birding I forget to drink enough water and then get light headed.  That's when I sit down in the shade and refuel.

Here is a random thought to end this post.  The opening and closing shots of the Dowitchers are my favorites from this series.  I was thinking about framing them and putting them in the bathroom.  And I can't tell you why I thought this but I want to do it.  But back to the subject.  If you're into "Peep" shows and live here, I highly recommend the Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch.  From a photographers point of view, this place will give you PRIMO views!

And for those of you from the Phoenix area, I don't mean to upset:)  Tucson and Phoenix residents have definite opinions about the "other" city and these posts are written in a fun manner. But I always write from my Wisconsin point of view and consider this blog as a way to share potential issues for snowbirders and our many winter visitors that come to visit AZ this time of year.  I lived in Phoenix.  Once:)  But Tucson stole my heart.  Remember to always lock your car on bird/wildlife outings, use sunscreen, bring plenty of water and a hat.  Kathie and I both talk about securing things up all the time whether we are in Tucson or Phoenix on our missions.  I now have a cell phone because of that drug run in from Montosa Canyon near Green Valley this past summer.  So remember to be smart wherever you go and keep an eye open for suspicious activity.  Arizona is a beautiful state but in many ways it still can be quite wild and random....partly due to the border being nearby.  But don't let that stop you from the outdoors:)  Think of my attitude towards Phoenix like that of the Sun Devils vs. The Wildcats.  It's all done in jest:)  Well maybe not the Jan Brewer bits:)  I'm no longer living in the safe and comfortable world of the Shire, but I'll take a walk on the wild side to be a part of this crazy state. More tomorrow....

Making The Most of It

The Japanese God of storms brings some of the most exciting weather this time of year. But one must respect this God or face possible death.

On a strict budget until my work begins again, I am keeping it close to home. You've been witnessing shots straight out of Tucson that either cost nada or just the price of gas.  I'll admit that this challenge hasn't been the easiest.  I want to keep my writing and photography fresh.  The weather has been an obstacle plus the canyons with all the wonderful hummingbirds have issues with rain and flooding.  They close off and on making it difficult to just get in a car and explore. 

Mourning Doves

The exciting part though for me has been watching the action happen right here in Tucson.  I keep my eye out for Rare Bird alerts or animal sightings.  Monsoon certainly has been a thrill so far and it's nice.  I just don't get to do those incredible hikes like I did in winter.    Essentially it's two hours of play and then back inside. 

Male Yellow Warbler taking a bath

 It's nice at times because you won't find too many people on the trails this time of year except after a rain event or early in the morning.

Black Neck Stilts

 So I bring plenty of water and a large hat to help keep my face protected from the sun.

Bullfrog

And usually find some amazing things like a Yellow Warbler taking a bath in the stream.  More tomorrow....

Squint

Do your eyes ever "shut down" after long hours on the computer?  Or after long hours on the trail searching for life?  Sometimes I have to squint my eyes to catch what it is I'm searching for.  And if I didn't squint, I might miss some of the fun shots that happen all around me.

What's that with wings on a dark shadowy branch?  What's that glistening thing sticking out on the twig?

Or that rustle in bushes?  Will it bite me?  Is that a lizard or a dinosaur up ahead?  How big do these guys get anyway?

Desert Spiny

And the birds off in the distance......like this American Avocet below.  You can definitely strain your eyes trying to focus on the shot.

During this shoot, I was by a thorny mesquite tree.  I cleared the branches away so I wouldn't poke my eyes out.

Would I get these Black Neck Stilts finally?  Was the lighting finally going to work with the shot?  It was all so far away.....

So my question to you is, "What do you do when your eyes get tired?"  or  "Do your eyes get blurry after many hours of using them with your camera?" 

Mr. Wilson!!!!

Greetings all!  I have enjoyed your comments this weekend.  I'm back again after an exhausting 4 days.  Tomorrow morning I'll catch up with all again and look forward to your posts.  Like the picture of this squirrel suggests, I had to get hopping over to the Sweetwater Wetlands to find the Wilson's Phalarope and while there, I was hoping to capture the Wilson's Warbler as well.  It was a day of finding the Wilson family:)

So I MOVED!!!  My last experience with the Phalarope family wasn't a good one.  I consider only excellent pictures to count as a bird sighting.  And while I spotted the Red/Red Necked Phalarope, they weren't close enough to see in the pic.  So I hoped to get better shots of this particular Phalarope.

While scanning the only basin of water, I captured the Black Neck Stilt, the Glossy Ibis, and a couple American Avocets......and then, in the far distance, I saw 5 spinning circular motions....indicative of the Phalarope family.

But I hadn't counted on 5 of them!!!!  Just to be sure I walked around the basin as best I could to see if I could get better shots.....

At first I thought I had counted wrong, but alas, the other Wilson Phalarope joined in.....

.......creating the group of "5".  I hoped to get closer to these interesting birds but a fence prohibited me from crossing. And to be honest, it wasn't so much the fence as it was the law that kept me out:)  I could really get some great shots if I could just cross the line:)  So playing detective paid off today....

.....and I did get better shots than those of the Red/Red Necked Phalarope. As for the Wilson's Warbler??

There was too much Blackbird "noise" going on, but I was able to locate and hone in on a Warbler "voice".  It was intermittent and high above the trees.  One would think it would be easy to identify this hot number.  I kid you not, I stood for a half hour refusing to go home until I found that bird!

Eventually I found it extremely high up in the Eucs bouncing around.....but it wasn't the Wilson's Warbler, it was the Yellow Warbler.  The difference?  Both are yellow, but the Wilson's Warbler has a black swatch on the top of its head.  I'm lucky that I was able to even get this shot.  My neck hurt after this outing. 

Eventually the little guy flew off and I moved onto my owlets.  Look closely at the picture and you'll see the parent and two owlets.  One is looking directly at you:)

Sometimes I wish it were as easy as Dennis the Menace calling out, "MR. WIIIIIIILLLLLSONNNN!" and getting his attention.  But like Mr. Wilson, he would hide from Dennis just as the birds like to disappear from me:)  But with an ear for bird sounds and movement, I am beginning to use my other sense to help me find the birds.  It has been mostly with my eyes, but now I am using the ears.  I will be even more successful once I can replicate the bird sounds with my voice.  If I can speak Spanish, I can also learn to speak bird. I've seen it done and it's quite magical.  More tomorrow.....

"Fall Out"

After yesterdays amazing pics by guest photographers, todays are well....pretty terrible.  In fact they will probably remind you of the blurry Big Foot shot taken back in the 1970's:)

I'm wearing my Mancapris and this pic reminded me that I need a haircut.  There is no product in it whatsoever.

So I'll start off with our garden and then move onto my detective work and the exciting "Fall Out" that happened in Tucson and other parts of Arizona this weekend.   

Birding took a backseat because of life and chores.  Photography was placed on hold.  Just too much to do, but I made myself schedule the weekend so that I could get my birding and exercise in.   I began watering plants around El Presidio when I heard the unmistakable sounds of thousands of bees behind me.  An old rotted beam was sagging and I saw the signs.  The rain and water must have disturbed a hive.  It was the most dangerous thing I've seen on the grounds this year!  Residents should know that someone will be in tomorrow morning to remedy the situation.  I don't know enough about bees, but the swarm felt African and I stayed my distance.  If you saw the intense cloud of bees, you would have been scared as well. 

Black Neck Stilts and American Avocet

And thanks to a tip off from many local Tucsonans and Laurence, this weekend would prove to dazzle.  In fact, parks and water areas were "flooded" with birders from all over.  Our Pacific storm brought many visitors rarely seen in the Tucson area.  It was not an event to be missed.  Black Neck Stilts, Red Necked Phalarope, Red Phalarope, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, American Avocets.....well the list goes on and on. 

I've never seen so many seabirds at Sweetwater.  Ever! But the diamond among them all?  The Phalaropes.  I didn't have to be a genious to figure out which pond area the Phalaropes were at because A LOT of birders were there.  My telephoto lens.....home:( But I do have blurry evidence that I saw these two birds and it was exciting.  People strained their eyes and toggled their binoculars to get a close up on these two movie stars.  But most did not succeed.  And I will admit this now.  I never saw them until after I got home.  I know I know....how lame am I?  Which begs the question....Does it count on your bird list if you accidentally get them in the photo?  Curious to hear what you all think about that one:)

I returned the following day hoping for better shots as did other birders.  Parking was out onto the street this time.  The best part of my Sunday?  Seeing a brilliant yellow Warbler fly around several trees.  Amazing!  But the story of the Phalaropes?  Well a Peregrine Falcon flew into the area during the morning chasing out all the seabirds into other secret areas.  We searched high and low for them in shallow water areas.  We looked for their circling....and found nothing. And then I had to get back to deal with the bee situation.  So I have only my shots from Saturday night which were pretty sad:) BUT.  I did accomplish the mission.  My eyes were tired from looking into the white grey waters that washed everything together.   And as for the bees? Homeowners in Tucson remember that it's not uncommon for bees to swarm around this time of  year finding a place to call home.  Bee urine releases a pheromone that attracts other bee species.  And this swarm must have picked up on the scent which led them to our place.   Beekeepers are looking to save them and have humane ways to capture and release them back into a better environment.  I have some really exciting posts coming up and I promise, my pictures will help rid the stains of today.  Wildflowers tomorrow....:)