The USS Betty White

My shuttle, the USS Betty White in her native habitat.  I'll admit it, I'm a little too in love with my car but it has made for the best birding vehicle ever.

OH how I love my Betty White. She makes everything better. This past weekend we went on a mission with Tucson Audubon to save the Chestnut-collared Longspurs in the scenic grasslands known as San Rafael.

The guardian angel of the grasslands, the White-tailed Kite of the early morning

We do these counts every year to protect the habitat for this species of declining longspurs.  In fact, the grassland species on a whole have had the largest impact with declining numbers due to loss of habitat.  So it's important to protect these spaces for birds.

The USS Betty White is a survey vessel used for research and saving birds

I love the grasslands.  And I especially love any sparrow or sparrow-like bird. 

It's challenging and requires a little know-how but our collective experience helped us find quite a few of them. 

The team listens carefully for longspurs, makes note of the grass that they are in and searches for any movement

It's hard not to notice some of the other beautiful birds that winter in the grasslands like the White-tailed Kite below.

When the world seems like it's falling apart, I only need to stroll in the open air of the grasslands to forget all of it.

As we walk towards the cattle tanks, we hear the high "tribble tribble" of the longspurs as they prepare to fly.

Chestnut-collared Longspurs are amazing.

As they flush from the grasses, the longspurs fly in a popcorn pattern zipping here and there every second they are up in the air.  This is one of the most challenging bird species to capture in photos.  They are secretive and fast when discovered.

Most people just see little brown dots vanishing into the grasses. 

Maureen is a pro and was a lot of fun to work with

To make a great day, you need great birders.  And we had it all.  The worst part of looking forward to something is that it also ends before you know it. To say that I was on a high would be an understatement. Grasslands, friends(new and old), Betty White, the target bird and fantastic weather made the event fly by like...well....the longspurs.

Sure they are sparrow-like and brown but they are fascinating birds. To not have these birds around in the winter would break my heart.  They belong here.  It's why we do these surveys. 

To find wintering AZ longspurs, you'll need your ears, some good grassland habitat and cattle tanks/ponds.  And a little luck😉

It's an incredible experience and one that every birder should celebrate.

After our "work" was done, me and the Betty headed over to Paton's to do some birding there.

White-crowned Sparrow

It was super active and the birds put on a good show. 
 

Canyon Towhee

Especially the Cedar Waxwings!

Cedar Waxwings

As always, I'd like to thank Ms. Jennie Macfarland for leading up this survey and inviting me and the USS Betty White to explore strange new grasslands and seek out all things longspur.

Richard, Minnow and Jennie

We ended our birding at Patagonia Lake State Park for a quick scan of birds.  We did see a Common Loon.  That was fun.

AZ birding is the best. Until next time......

The Whispers of Wind

Wait.  Watch.  Listen.  Whisper.

American Kestrel

The secrets of the grassland eventually reveals itself.

Eastern Meadowlark, Lillian's

In a trance.  Cautiously, we watch each other.

Trust. Peace. Serenity. My world. Their world.  Our existence.

This moment of perfection and balance lasts only for a moment. Then the wind, as it moves the grasses, forces into motion the flocks of birds. They quickly take flight and then vanish into the golden haze. 

In the blink of an eye, everything disappears around us as if they had never been there.  Ghosts. 

It is here where I find peace and a spiritual connection to the universe.

Chestnut-collared Longspurs

I can travel the world and explore all of the amazing places, but it is here, in the grasslands, that I feel at home.

The cool wind forces the stagnant heat off of my shoulders. 

Say's Phoebe

I marvel at the sun and how it brings me joy.  My home. It's so good to be back.

Burrowing Owls

The thrill of coming home has never changed. My travels only reaffirm my love for Arizona. 

The thrill of finding longspurs!  In these photos, we discover the Chestnut-collared, McCown's and Lapland Longspurs

Until next time.......

Stand Perfectly Still

Muriel and Gordon explore the trees and bushes at Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve for the rare Rufous-backed Robin

A slight rustle.  That nearly muted call from within the grasses or reeds. Your cloaked disguise makes you vanish from within. 

Several Mule Deer hang out near Huachuca Canyon

A speck upon the landscape. A compact little operative working the tree.  

Look carefully at the photo.  Warblers are hard!  Here is the rare-for-Arizona Yellow-throated Warbler currently hanging out at the city park of Patagonia.  I reported on this guy two weeks ago without a picture.  This time I knew where he was hiding and got the pic:)

If I stand still, I might see you better.  

If I don't move, you may stay longer.  

Vesper Sparrow at the Sonoita grasslands

If I am patient, I will find you hiding. 

Chestnut-collared Longspur

If I don't frighten you, perhaps you'll stay longer. 

Pronghorn in the grasslands.  Yes, the vistas are like paintings.  That's why I love the photography bit around these parts

 For you are what brings me to these parts of the world.  

A coyote

 You are why I wake up so early in the morning. You give me a reason to start my day with a smile.

We flush several female Chestnut-collared Longspurs from the grasses

And why I'll continue to wake up....oh-so-early!

The Gadwall are speechless with this raccoon passing them by.  Definitely not a duck.  At Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson

Just so I can see you swim across the pond or....

Busted:)

.....stare back at me.  I am your friend.  I will do no harm. I will keep my distance.

Ruddy Duck at Peña Blanca Lake

And I promise to stand perfectly still so that you can go about your business.  And I promise that I'll always be a responsible wildlife photographer.

Canyon Wren 

I'd like to thank Muriel and Gordon for a fun day out for the first half of this blog.  It's always a pleasure working as part of the team when we are out searching for rare birds. The second half of this blog was done alone just quietly standing in one spot along the path.  My best work usually happens just sitting on a log or bench being patient.  It's not easy:)  

I remember sitting in the front row as one of those crazy fans.  I took this pic at the Phoenix Comicon back in 2011. 

I'd like to dedicate this blog post to a childhood hero of mine.  Star Trek inspires me to this day and Leonard Nimoy was like an extended part of my family for most of my teenage years.  Even as an adult, this guy can be seen in my classroom on a poster as the infamous Mr. Spock.  

I finally meet him in person!

I was fortunate to meet this amazing actor and man back in 2011.  You are and always will be my friend.  Thank you for helping me through those tough years as a kid.  Star Trek changed my life for the better. 

500 Life Birds!

Barred Owl

Last month I reached a special landmark.  I have discovered and documented over 500 birds in this life of mine so far!   I began in June of 2011 and will be celebrating 3 years as a full fledged birder in a couple months. 

Lewis's Woodpecker

I am a quick learner and very OCD about my work out in the field.  It has become much more difficult. And there have been personal challenges along the way. 

Island Scrub-Jay

The journey has been quite exciting.  It requires constant budgeting and planning.  There have been a lot of early mornings out. Some days, I just lacked the motivation to leave the house.

Baird's Sparrow

There were a lot of long and solitary trips out into the middle of nowhere.  Sometimes I almost gave up, but then the bird would pop up out of nowhere!  My reward for being patient. 

Le Conte's Thrasher

Sometimes it was about retracing my steps for better observations. 

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Other times, it was extremely personal.  I would stand alone and share in the wonder by myself.  

Florida Scrub-Jay

Sometimes I would work with others and help out just to understand the birds better. 

Northern Saw-whet Owl

I'd find one bird and almost get attacked by Javelinas in my pajamas.

Five-striped Sparrow

On another outing, I would be eaten up by mosquitoes!

Ring-necked Pheasant

Some birds were random sightings along side the road which almost caused a car crash. But the sighting was so rare, I had to stop!

Crested Caracara

For some birds, it was about understanding their routines and returning to the same spot the next day to find them.

Prevost's Ground-Sparrow

Some made me tear up. 

California Condor

The landscapes were amazing. 

Vermillion Cliffs-Northern Arizona

For the "colorful" birds, I took non-birders because I knew they'd enjoy them as well.  And maybe....just maybe....I'd get them to stop and look at birds on their own.

Roseate Spoonbill

The world is truly an amazing place full of wonders.  There are even a few secrets waiting to be found.

Semuc Champey-Guatemala

At 500, I realize how connected we all are on this planet. 

Bosque Del Apache-New Mexico

And at 500, I'm also realizing that it's a lot of work.  But it's the work that makes it fun and exciting.  Until next time.....

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

I'm linking up to Wild Bird Wednesday.  This is a great place to discover wild birds from around the world while in your pajamas:)