Hummingbird Crossing

Trapped by the heat of summer and covid, I carefully plan my outings.  There are some really amazing birds that show up around town during this time of year.  Migration starts picking up. 

Shorebirds, hummingbirds and warblers are just a few of the amazing birds that pass through Arizona this time of year. Often, I give myself 20 minutes for a rare bird in this heat.  Shorebirds and water birds can be done from the car.  And hummingbirds?  Well, they can be done under the shade of a tree. 

The best time of year to visit Southeastern Arizona for hummingbirds is during the months of August and September.  Some hummingbirds are nesting while others are trying to get back to their wintering grounds. The arrival of some species like the Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds are signals that the end of summer is near.  

Right now, Rufous Hummingbirds are in great numbers as they push their way down south.  These hummers breed all the way up in Alaska. The males are the first to migrate in July followed by the juveniles and females. 

Some hummingbirds like the Violet-crowned Hummingbird(below) are working on their 3rd nest for the summer.  This southeastern Arizona specialty makes a lovely nest using lichen. 

Anna's Hummingbirds rule the land.  These year round locals zip in and out of all the hummingbird action around the feeders. Eventually, they'll have the feeders alone again.  But right now it's competition for the nectar. 

Birders go crazy for the next specialty, the White-eared Hummingbird.  We have a few breeding birds here in southeastern Arizona.  There aren't many as this is the northern most range for this species, but they get birders excited.  Soon, they will be heading home. 

This male Anna's Hummingbird(below) watches the incredible flurry of activity between feeders.  He carefully calculates how he'll get to a feeder without being chased off by a Rufous Hummingbird. 

Another hummingbird that birders want to see is the Lucifer Hummingbird.  This time of year is a great time to visit.  They all like to congregate around the feeders together.  

The Black-chinned Hummingbirds make their move back to their wintering grounds. 

This female Lucifer Hummingbird has finished nesting.  She competes with her offspring for the nectar. 

Because it's so hot this time of year, I find watching hummingbirds a much better option.  You can do it high up in the mountains like Summerhaven.  Or at any place with feeders.  It's pretty exciting to see how many species of hummers will show up.  On our day out, we had TEN species! Some of the best places to observe all these hummingbirds are in Portal, the Huachuca, Catalina and Santa Rita mountains. Places like the Santa Rita Lodge, Beatty's and Ash Canyon are definitely places to check out. 

Sometimes you don't have to go far.  Here is a nest from my garden.  The female Broad-billed Hummingbird is on her last nest for the season.  

She builds a tea cup sized nest. 

Only 2 eggs fit in this tiny nest.  It takes about 14 days for the eggs to hatch. 

Then it takes another 15 days for the hummingbirds to fledge. 

She positions herself in different ways.  When she sits on the eggs, the Broad-billed female sits higher up.  When they hatch, she sits lower inside the nest.  Right now, the babies are TINY.  

Random birds show up.  Often while I'm working.  And even though I'm online now, it doesn't mean I can just go!  I'm at work looking at people via a webcam monitor.  During this time of year, I think about all the amazing birding happening in the state of Arizona.  I hope for cooler temps.  And I hope that there will be a vaccine by the end of the year.  I watch our hummingbirds head back home and I think about their exciting journeys to Mexico, Central and South America. And I also think about how fortunate I am to live in such an amazing place for birds like Arizona.  Until next time.....

Holding The Front

Zone-tailed Hawk

If I didn't have birds, I would go crazy. It would seem like one endless day streaming into the other.  I view my bird outings as fun but sad!  Because after I'm birding, I know I will have to go home!

Every day, I find a moment and see something amazing.  And luckily, there are always things to see. Or experience. 

As this disease takes hold, I find myself having to end hanging out with friends on the trails.  Keeping the distance is important, but even better is staying home or AWAY from people altogether. 

It has become even more difficult to stay away from stupid people who think it's all a joke.  Some have even died.  One young man, a couple nights ago, lost his life while drag racing on our Mt. Lemmon road drunk.  No one is monitoring these areas. As a result, this guy is dead after driving off the side of the mountain. We were up on the mountain in the cold listening to owls and nightjars when we heard a lot of drag racing in the forested canyons.  It was just a matter of time before someone was killed.  Glad it wasn't us or the many other innocent bystanders who enjoy night hikes/birding on the trails.  And the wildlife doesn't deserve to be around our stupidity.

Sonoran Gophersnake

 I walk the trails listening for people.  Most people are good.  The few who are foolish are usually loud and easy to avoid.  Like a deer in the grass, I disappear.  I watch other birders and smile.  It is beautiful. 

Some days are difficult.  I want to get out but I can't because I have to go to the store or I have appointments with my work OR I just have work to get done at home!  It takes more energy these days.  The evenings are the hardest as I have come to discover that I hate watching TV.  

Western Kingbird

This week has been fun, but my greatest challenge has been the Gray Vireo.  It was a new bird for my Pima County list.  

Gray Vireos are common in Maricopa County but NOT in Pima.  They used to breed in smaller numbers here and still may do so in areas that are difficult to scout.  Outside of migration, it's a difficult bird to spot around Pima County.

I've seen many of them and recognize their call in AZ.  However, in Pima county, it's a different story. I've chased this bird 3 times this past week!  Finally, I heard the bird, but does it count?  The short answer is yes.  Plus I've seen it many times, but I like having photo records for my reports.  However, as a more seasoned birder now, I also respect the bird and will not bother it if it's not willing to show itself.  If it was a lifer, this would be a different story. 

Pyrruhuloxia

However, I can tell you with great enthusiasm that Lucy's Warblers are plentiful and very often seen around here before they hunker down to nest. 

In a really beautiful moment this past week, I headed out to Proctor Road for a rarish Golden-crowned Sparrow.  I met Tina and several other birders as we sat and watched her feeders.  It was a crazy experience.  So many good birds seen!

Broad-billed Hummingbirds fight over a spot at her feeders

But even better?  I missed talking to fellow birders.  I missed hearing their stories.  I missed the social part of it. Tina is "stuck" at Madera Canyon until the covid epidemic is over.  She's in an RV and in the most perfect place ever.  If she stays there long enough, she may even hear a Buff-colored Nightjar!

A rare hummingbird to the lower elevation, this Rivoli's Hummer comes in for a sip. 

The sunsets are gorgeous.  

And the spring migration show is out of the world. 

This female Broad-billed Hummingbird sips nectar from the wildflowers in the foothills of Madera Canyon. 

Sometimes she sits on the delicate branch to take a break from the high speed flying. 

For a moment, I forget the world is in chaos. 

Northern Cardinal

And in my excitement, I completely get lost in the moment as the Golden-crowned Sparrow comes out from the shadows. 

There are good days. And there are bad days.  I am fortunate that I have family to remind me to keep my sanity.  We zoom and drink.  My sister puts together games and we hang out.  There's a bit of ADD going on with this group, but I am grateful to have them there.  

I tried taking a pic but accidentally shut off my camera!

Stay well.  We still have a bit to go on this all. Nature is happening all around us. Until next time.....

My Desert My Home

Broad-billed Hummingbird

After two months of absence, I returned home to Tucson.  It felt good to be in my own space again and to hear my own voice. 

I am connected to the wildlife here.  I feel their living presence around me.  Nothing surprises me here anymore.  It's my home I know best. I hear their voices and understand their movement.

White-nosed Coati

I see my friends and it all makes me happy. 

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

There is beauty in every space IF we know how to look for it.  But somehow, this desert space is way more epic than anything I've seen around the world. 

A sunrise.  A sunset.  A monsoon shower.  A Gilded Flicker calling to the other.  "Come here!  I found a hill of ants for dinner!"  The other responds and flies to its mate. 

I sit under a ramada in the 100 plus temps.  A migrating Wilson's Phalarope casually passes me by. 

Wilson's Phalarope

I hear the rustle and anger of birds in a tree.  I suspect a snake is raiding a nest. 

Sonoran Whipsnake

Purple Martins are amazing birds, but somehow my desert Purple Martins are better:)

Purple Martin, the desert subspecies hesperia

Especially at sunset near their Saguaro home. 

I am back in my own car again, the USS Betty White.  As the sun sets at Saguaro National Park, I think to myself that I am one lucky guy.  There is no place like home.