It is a strange thing transitioning from one birding experience to the other because each birding moment has a different feel. At home in Arizona, I often guide and spend much of my time with the birds, but when family is involved, it's a delicate balance between family time and the birds. For this trek home, it was more about spending time with the family. But I did sneak in some time each day to get some birding done. In this next series of blog posts, you'll see how it all "fused" together.
American White Pelican
I missed home. And I wanted to be there to help out with my Mom and Dad. Sometimes my mother says everything is fine when it's not. I get it. She doesn't want us to worry. For the first time in my life, I was actually worried about my parents. No one wants to see their parents get older. My mission was to break up the routine and give my Mom a break when I could.
My hometown remains the same, but there's much more diversity now. Each day I took some time to bird alone or with family. On those outings, I noticed a different community from the one I knew for decades.
The wonderful birding hotspot that is the Manitowoc Impoundment
Like always, I pondered what it would be like to live in Two Rivers as an adult. There's a part of me that can see myself in a home on the lake surrounded by forest smoking a pipe researching birds in my study. The other part of me freaks out at that notion. I don't want to get comfortable and complacent. In Maine, I wasn't connected to any one place so I could just explore and have fun. But in Wisconsin, I remember what was and what is now. At a very young age, I remember telling my friend that I would never live in our little town when I grew up. We aspired to build a plane and fly it to places unknown. When our plane didn't fly, I was bummed out. So instead we built tree houses in the surrounding woods. I had wanderlust at a very young age.
Marsh Wren
I have been watching, for some time, the aging of the "factory generation" from my hometown. Most of the factories are gone now. The people who worked there were hard workers that followed a formula. It was a hard life. There were also a lot of others who owned a lot of the popular establishments around town that supported that factory population. Until the factories moved elsewhere. They are my parent's generation. The ones who believe in a nice and tidy green lawn, a husband who should be served his food by his wife, and in general that there is an order to all things that should be followed. But their memory is vanishing as many are aging and passing away. These old ideas cannot sustain themselves for the next generations. These historical supper clubs and local stores have been shutting down now for several years as the people either die or are unable to keep them open. I see achievements left behind. I remember the old arguments of the people who are no longer with us. And the ones who still are.
A dedication to the founding father of Woodland Dunes, Bernie Brouchard,
Bernie has been gone now for a couple years, but Woodland Dunes is painting the barn where he did much of his bird banding over the years. Some remember Bernie. Most will never know who he was. The same goes for Winnie. There's a bench on the boardwalk with her name. Every time I pass that spot, I think, "Oh Winnie. What would you say about the world today?" I've worked with them both over the years and am glad they are remembered. I always wondered who would fill their shoes. I'm proud to say that there are many new faces who are educating the public about Woodland Dunes and Point Beach State Forest.
Common Yellowthroat
For the first time in years, I see a cultural shift in my old community. People from all backgrounds are moving into old homes that no longer have the strong family names that once lived in them. They will never know. Nor do they care. People from out-of-state have discovered the Lakeshore area and how beautiful the area is. This is exciting. So I see change happening and it gives me hope. I'm a whole mixed bag of emotions though. I hated the old generational attitudes towards "norms" like a woman being a servant to her husband. Or having to do something because that is what is "expected of you". Or if you were different, you didn't belong. And yet, I still miss some of those faces.
As the factory generation fades into memory, a newer one is taking place. I spoke with Doc Sontag this last time. He is in his 80's and going strong. Another friend met up with us, also in this 80's, at the Manitowoc Impoundment (which is a great place to bird!). There in our little bubble we pondered what will happen after their generation was gone. And in fine Doc fashion, he looks over and points to me, "Chris and his generation are the next in line to take over for us old coots." Me? No. I could never replace that man. He is wise beyond years and full of experience. But he's right. We must carry the torch and teach the next generation. There is a comfort knowing that Doc is out there every day counting birds in the same place. Who will take his place when he's gone?
Double-crested Cormorant
During my stay, I did as much as I could. I slept in. I tried to memorize everything the best I could. I followed my parent's routine. For the first time in my life, I worried about them both. They always took care of me when I was a kid. Now it's me and my siblings turn. Often we take each other for granted until we realize that we shouldn't. I'm glad they caught my Dad's heart blockage before it was too late. That scare has changed "the tone" in our family.
Common Grackle
I see my nephews and nieces. Some are older and some are very young. I love them all for all their energy. I think for a moment that we'd be great parents if we had kids. But I am also glad we didn't have kids. It was the best decision I've ever made. That doesn't mean I don't like kids. I'm a teacher and I believe in our future generations. They make me laugh, but as I get older, I find my patience wearing thin:) While I was home, I had fun taking the kids out. There were times I wanted to pull the remaining hair out of my head, but by the end of the day, they went home to their parents:)
I love this little guy. We often spent time out in the field looking at birds. He shows a good interest in the birds.
There was often so much "noise" happening around me with 20+ people in our family that I had to find a private place for quiet time. These were my birding times. I'd only get so many hours each day to explore and do my bird counts which was fine. I remember on my last day there that I skipped out on some of the family things and just enjoyed the silence. It's sacred. People who are used to noise all the time often have a difficult time with it. Not me. It's a beautiful thing.
Ring-billed Gull
My family all laughed at my idea of "helping". For my siblings, their definition of "help" was taking my turn to cut the grass for our parents. No my dear brothers, that was your deal. Plus it gave us some time to chat without the kids or spouses around. And where were my sisters in the cutting-of-the-grass deal? I think it was rather sexist that they were left out:) My "help" was trying to get my parents to understand that they are retired and that they must compromise to enjoy this last chapter of their lives while they still can. They both have ideas and dreams about what they want to do. I want them to live their fullest lives together. They owe each other everything. It's ok for them to be selfish now. They've done their work as parents and don't owe us anything. Arizona is the land of retirement and I tried to explain to them what retirement can look like if they so chose that life. And it's okay to say no. We, the siblings, should not put any burdens on their lives now. It's their time to fly.
The fact of the matter is that it's all complicated. Family is that way. The most I could do is take away some of the stresses that my parents had every day by running errands, watching the niece and/or nephew, and allowing everyone to multi-task instead of being stuck in one place. My point here is that we all hopefully contribute to our families in different ways.
Barn Swallow
We had a great time in Wisconsin and I am so thankful that I could spend time with everyone.
American Goldfinch
Over the next several weeks, we'll explore the careful planning between family and Wisconsin birds on this blog.
One of my favorite things to do while I'm traveling to a different city around the US or the world is stop by their zoo and surrounding parks. After a fun and exhausting birding trek around Rocky Mountain National Park, we were ready for something a little more relaxing. Today we'll take you on a bird walk around the Denver Zoo.
White-eared Catbird
Every zoo has a different collection of foreign and local birds, animals and reptiles. I enjoy viewing their collections and learning up close and personal the names of new birds and their calls. Each bird has a story and it's fun reading about their backgrounds.
Paradise Tanager
And zoos can also be great places to find local birds! Every zoo has watering holes with amazing gardens. Plus, people are notorious for making messes on the grounds. So while we were there, we kept tabs on the local visiting birds. Regulars, like the American Robins, Northern Flickers and Black-billed Magpies, all hung around the grassy areas. We even found a White-breasted Nuthatch jumping around a tree.
male Crested Wood Partridge
Sadly, there are always several species at the zoos that face extinction. Denver Zoo is no exception. I always wonder if I'll ever see some of these birds in the wild before they disappear. I hope I do. An older birder once told me to set my sights on the endangered birds first because they may not be around by the time I get to them. And that is a sad thought.
female Crested Wood Partridge
Sometimes, like the case with this Blue-crowned Motmot below, I actually get better views:) Motmots in the wild LOVE hanging out in the shade....or at least the ones I've seen. I've had to use careful background lighting to get decent pictures of them. To date, I've seen 4 species of Motmot but I have decent photos for only two of the species thanks in part to dark rain forests.
Blue-crowned Motmot
Many of the world birds that face declining populations are in places where they are illegally poached for the pet trade. Many are losing precious habitat while others face poisons and chemicals that pollute their food supply and habitat like rivers and farm fields. If those things are affected or disappear, it can have a devastating consequence on our bird populations. And it is happening right now as you are reading this. I began documenting birds just a few years ago and I've already seen changes happening around several of my older reports. Even better? Take the ebird challenge. Visit a 10 year old watering hole hotspot and see why it's not a current hotspot. You'll be shocked! In Phoenix, we discovered many of the old watering holes were covered by development OR the water was redirected onto private land behind a fence. Or even worse? The water has completely dried up. Sad.
Chestnut-backed Thrush
Some birds are so strange looking that it thrills to see them up close. Take for example this Cassowary below. They are large birds found in New Guinea, the surrounding islands and Northeastern Australia. These birds have been known to take out humans and their pets for getting too close:) So today, I gawk at this odd dinosaur looking creature.
Cassowary
The Kori Bustard, below, is listed as Near Threatened. This bird can be found in the southern parts of Africa. It likes the open grassy areas where it can run.
Kori Bustard
The Denver Zoo is also home to a Lorikeet haven. It's a fun place to take the kiddos because they get a chance to feed the Lorikeets. There were several species of this bird in a nicely enclosed aviary. So we purchased our dollar cups. Micheal enjoyed feeding lots of birds as they climbed up on his hand and shoulders for a sip or two from his cups.
Titus the Stella's Lorikeet
I noticed a shy Lorikeet watching me from a higher branch who was different from the rest. So I carefully approached this bird and offered him a sip from my cup. He came down and licked my fingers. Afterwards, I asked the zoo keepers what type of Lorikeet I was feeding and they came back with a name. "OH! His name is Titus and he's a Stella's Lorikeet." Apparently at one time, Titus lived at the San Diego Zoo.
Common Grackle
While we were learning about new birds, I was counting all the local birds who were visiting the zoo. Common Grackles were in great numbers and feeding around picnic areas. It is not a "common" bird for us in Arizona. Instead, we are home to MANY Great-tailed Grackles. So it was a treat to view these birds doing what they do best......taking advantage of human slobs:)
After the zoo, we headed to the local park next door. There were hundreds of Canada Geese and Double-crested Cormorants. On a nearby island, we found plenty of Snowy Egrets and Black-crowned Night Herons nesting in a very large rookery. But the shocker? As I did my counts on the nests, I found two Cattle Egrets! They were mixed into the rookery pretty well. And ONE was on a nest! It pays to count each and every bird because you never know if there will be a gem hiding in the group. That was our best bird of the day.
a rare nesting Cattle Egret for Denver, CO
Time was limited and we had to go back to Arizona. It was a nice stop and break from the driving. So not only did we have a fun local outing; we also learned about lots of new birds in the process! The Denver Zoo has a great aviary that also houses African Penguins! Until next time friends......
Here's a video recapping the last 4 posts at Rocky Mountain National Park and the Denver Zoo. The next Americano Chapter continues......
Our trip to Maine was so much fun. I wish Kathie were closer so that we could bird more often, but we knew the time would fly by quickly.
I won't forget the first night Gus made us Lobster rolls! I had watched birders salivate while telling me their stories of Maine and their love for....lobster rolls. Now I understand better why they went crazy over the mention of Maine.
Chestnut-sided Warbler in Kathie's backyard
For me, birding is about great observations on new birds. It's also about getting better observations on older birds that I've previously seen. Sometimes the work is difficult but it's also very rewarding.
Many times we didn't have to go far to encounter new birds. We'd find them everywhere around Merepoint, Wharton's landing, Brunswick and other areas.
Pileated Woodpecker near Brunswick Landing
The primary targets for the Maine adventures were finding all the "Eastern" versions of our "Western" birds like the Eastern Whip-poor-will, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, etc etc. Because I don't live on the eastern side of the US, many of these birds were new! For many others, these are common birds around their feeders.
Copulating Horseshoe Crabs
The other targets for our Maine journey focused on the Atlantic Puffin and Bicknell's Thrush. Those required special trips out to the various areas and were planned well in advance.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
As our checklist and time narrowed, we chose our destinations carefully. I think over the course of two weeks, we took two days to do some light birding around Kathie's house. These days were meant for relaxing and recharging our birder batteries:)
These days allowed for us to closely examine several already seen birds and their nesting habitats better. For example, we watched a Yellow Warbler family nest near the landing by Kathie's house.
Yellow Warbler
Without disturbing the nest, I took some photos and watched the parents feed their young ones over the course of several days.
Nesting wasn't just limited to the Yellow Warbler family. Song Sparrows were busy feeding their young ones as well.
Song Sparrow
There was a lot of great habitat around Kathie's house.
She had nesting Bald Eagles and a field full of Bobolinks!
Bobolinks in the fields of gold
And when we weren't walking around, we just sat and watched the feeders together. Hairy Woodpeckers, Purple Finches and Tufted Titmice came to visit.
Hairy Woodpecker parent feeding juvenile
Common Grackles lived up to their name. And looking back at it all, Kathie's backyard was a wonderful place of discovery. The entire drive up and down her magical Merepoint was a wildlife experience. I will forever remember driving down that several mile road along the forest and ocean. It was always relaxing and peaceful. So on the 4th of July when we had to say good-bye, I was sad to go. We didn't have fireworks but we did have fireflies:)
Common Grackle
It is always hard to say good-bye to dear friends. Everyone was exhausted by the time the trip came to an end, but it was a pretty exciting ride! At the end, I added 35 new bird species to my list and Kathie added several more to her Maine and Life Lists as well.
I'd like to thank Kathie and Gus for a wonderful time. It's now time for me to reciprocate the love. She will need to come and visit in the spring of next year to Arizona so that I can help her find the LeConte's Thrasher and several others she needs for her list:) Life is short. It is to be enjoyed and explored. Our adventures continue back home in Arizona. Until next time Maine!
I don't care what anyone says, but ID'ing black birds(note that I am not writing "blackbirds":) can be a bit tricky. There are still many to find, but here is a list on several that have made me glance once, twice, thrice........
Great-tailed Grackle
Grackles should be easy to ID and yet there can be doubt. In Southern Arizona, a Common Grackle would be rare, but the Great-tailed Grackle(above) is very common. So when I was in Colorado Springs, I knew I could find a Common Grackle, but the issue was that both Grackles were found there. How would I distinguish between the two? When I spotted several on a branch(below), I actually stood longer than normal to ID the call and look for the field marks to make sure I did in fact see the Common Grackle. Pale Yellow iris, dark bluish glossy head and heavy bill were several of the things I looked at first. The rain in the area made it a little difficult to pick out the bluish tones in the head and yellow eye......but I was able to see it better with my own eyes than that of the camera.
Common Grackle
But how do you tell a Brewer's Blackbird apart from a Common Grackle? It also has a yellow eye. The difference? Habitat and behavior help. But body shape, slight difference in the bill and coloring also can help with ID. The Brewer's likes to feed from the ground. But in this case, the calls are different and I was able to quickly ID the bird.
Brewer's Blackbird
But what's this blackbird??? Before heading to Guatemala, I studied the calls and behaviors of this Melodious Blackbird below. The call is very distinct and can be heard above all else in the canopy tree tops. They usually fly in pairs around water ways. Both bob their heads up and down while calling to each other. Sometimes they'll sit in opposite trees calling to one another.
But I tell you.....that call! It is so distinct that you can't miss it. I dropped what I was doing to capture this bird on camera. Birding by ear can be a powerful tool.
Melodious Blackbird
Another black bird, related to the cuckoo family, is the Groove-billed Ani. They are very common in Central America and make me smile. They remind me of muppets with their scraggly and monster looking faces. Again their call is distinct and I had it memorized from the time it came to Tucson. I have it recorded on my phone because it's one of my favorite bird calls next to the Loon. They are larger birds and appear to lazily perch on fence posts in pastures or on open branches around rivers, etc.
Groove-billed Ani
So how about those "other" black birds? Crows and Ravens??!!! In Tucson, it's possible to spot the Common and Chihuahuan Ravens. But how do you tell them apart? More common are the Common Ravens. They generally fly in pairs, but can be seen at times flying in great numbers. Even the experts can have a difficult time ID'ing these birds from afar. Chihuahuan Ravens will flock around Pecan orchards here and of course, open grasslands. They have a shorter bill with long nasal bristles. However, they fly a bit differently than the closely related Common Raven. The Common Raven "rows" its way across the airways.
American Crows
And the American Crow is a smaller bird with a large bill but much smaller than that of a Raven. The calls are the easiest to recognize. Understanding their calls, makes the ID a snap!
European Starling
European Starlings are black but very easy to ID with their body and bills. Their starry patterns remind me of outer space. But still.....from a distance, I have to really look. But if I can see those triangular wings, short square tails and that stocky body, I know right away that I'm witnessing the European Starling in action. They also tend to flock. Again their calls are distinct.
Common Raven
One black bird(or blackbird:) that is an easy ID is the Bronzed Cowbird....if you can see the red eye:)
Bronzed Cowbird
The Brown-headed Cowbird at maturity has a black body with a brown head....hence the name. Both birds have VERY cool calls. They sound like spacy, liquidy whistles! AGAIN another easy ID! Many people miss this one and I have to point it out to birders visiting from out of state. I've helped 3 birders add the Bronzed Cowbird to their life lists. Watching someone add a cowbird to their life list makes me smile. We take them for granted here as they are rather common.
Female Brewer's Blackbird
Here's a flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds below in flight. You see how they could be difficult to ID? Usually they mix with other blackbirds to add to the confusion.
Flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds
Many out of state people come to find our Yellow-headed Blackbirds. I've witnessed this bird in the tens of thousands. Twice I have been caught in the middle of the tornado energy and it made me smile. My video below captures the many Yellow-headed Blackbirds making a landing in the fields adjacent to the gas station.
I was filling up my gas once and a black cloud descended around the parking lot. Another time I was birding in Tucson and an entire flock flew around me. I was surrounded by magic!
Yellow-headed Blackbirds
These blackbirds are easy to ID. Their calls are varied and diverse but thankfully their colors stand out among the rest. Someone asked me once, "What are those blackbirds with a yellow head?" Yellow-headed Blackbirds. "Oh, that's easy." Sure is.
So is this Red-winged Blackbird below. Interestingly enough, the female looks nothing like the male. To a beginner, they look like different birds. Is it a Waterthrush? A Finch? Nope. Just the female Red-Winged Blackbird:)
Red-winged Blackbird
Finally I end with a Chihuahuan Raven. Of all these black birds I shared today, I think the Common and Chihuahuan Ravens are probably the most difficult to ID. This may sound weird, but when I see a Chihuahuan Raven, I just "know". I'll mark them down wherever I am to keep tabs on their location. On Ebird, there is a Chihuahuan Raven expert who monitors our populations and I was able to email and chat with him about his studies. I have many more black birds to find, but here are the ones I've been able to ID so far.
Chihuahuan Raven
Common Raven
Finally, I'd like to add one last thing about taking pictures of black birds or animals. It's really difficult!!! I find that having a very light background brings the detail out on these birds. Below is a pic of our cat Cassie. She sometimes blends right in with the surroundings.
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