The Hourglass

Kristen captures a Tucson sunset at Saguaro National Park

Even though final exams finished, I knew I wasn't done.  As I signed off at work, my biggest  challenge was about to begin. 5 visitors in 5 days!

Blue Grosbeak

My friend Kristen was staying at our place for a rest before heading to Los Angeles.  While she drove to Tucson, I met up with another friend, Pam, at Saguaro National Park.  

Saguaro National Park

Eventually, everyone found each other and we chased sunsets.

Antelope Jackrabbit

As we said our hello's and good-bye's, I was off to help other visiting friends find Arizona's amazing owls. Day 2 began. 

White-winged Doves on a Saguaro Cactus

I met with Khanh and Walker in Madera Canyon before sunset.  There, we owled for several hours. 

Elf Owl

These two guys were completely enamored by our beautiful owls. I don't blame them.  They are pretty amazing. Sometimes they forgot where they stepped and took a spill.  After the second time watching Khanh take a fall and stabbing himself with a cactus needle, I was concerned. It would have sucked to twist an ankle on the first night! Lots of blood was shed that day:)  I forget how tricky our terrain can be for visitors. Plus owling in the darkness is challenging. 

Whiskered Screech-Owl

After successfully finding Whiskered Screech-Owls, Elf Owls and Flammulated Owls, I went home for a several hour sleep.  The next day was even more challenging!  Lots of hiking!  When people come to Arizona, they want to see everything!  Living here allows me to focus on places and absorb.  Now if I were traveling here as a visitor, I'd have to pick and choose which birds I'd want to see.  Florida, you know I'm talking about you:)

Northern Goshawk

Anytime, we are on the trails, we HOPE to get satisfying views of our target birds (but sometimes they don't always play nice).  Khanh wanted Montezuma Quail and Elegant Trogons.  He got them both but it wasn't easy.  For me, it was challenging because the Montezuma Quail are VERY elusive.  Many times birders stumble on them by accident.  Now I had to intentionally find them.  I know how to do it, but they don't often cooperate for photographers.  I taught Khanh about their habitat. He was able to hear the birds call AND eventually, he was able to see them.  

And while searching for the quail, we discovered nesting Northern Goshawks!  These photos above are a first for Las Aventuras.  This accipter species is EXTREMELY difficult to capture on camera.  We had to play a game to get the shot. In the morning, we had accidentally flushed the bird from a tree.  It was quick to disappear and went almost undetected. But my ears honed in on a moving branch. Khanh quickly spotted the bird as I pointed to the area where the noise was made. 

Khanh at the infamous "Split Rock" searching for a Spotted Owl in Miller Canyon

Secretive in nature and known as "Gray Ghosts", they are fast operatives in montane forest.  Anyhow, we left the area and returned back in the afternoon to see if the bird returned to his original spot.  He did.  And for a few brief moments he didn't notice us from across the creek watching.  What a pretty spectacular sighting!

My weekend would continue and by Sunday I was really needing my rest.  Then Monday would come and I would meet up with a wonderful lady by the name of Bonnie from Wales.  We had a great time as we discovered a Wood Duck, several rare Tucson Inca Doves, and a wonderful look at a Wilson's Warbler.  She also was able to observe the Mexican subspecies of Mallards nesting in our park while I also helped her get two lifers, the Vermilion Flycatcher and Lucy's Warbler. She had great views of both! 

My week ended and I was exhausted.  What an amazing time out with some wonderful people!  Southern Arizona is one of the most beautiful places on this planet.  Its' harsh conditions and epic landscapes make it a "must see".  Time is often a factor when planning a trip here.  If you can't fit it all in, there's always another trip:)  Until next time......

A Rogue Agent

Often, I find myself alone on many of my birding treks these days.  By all standards, I am a rogue agent. Once and awhile I join teams, but it is often I slip off into the night sky like a nighthawk.

The sleepy Elf Owl

In the birding world, there is a lot of great support and structure for people. I record for Ebird.  I help Audubon with bird counts when I have the time.  I assist researchers out in the field when I have the time.  And I sometimes host as a bird guide.......when I have the time. I am also a photographer at heart. Many birders find themselves caught between such wonderful options. And whatever they choose to do, they directly or indirectly define who they are to the larger birding community. Some are more aligned to their Audubon agencies while others stand guard over the data of Cornell University's Ebird.  The Listserv crew shares rarities and first of year sightings with all the detailed information about where the birds are being seen to the birding community.  Meanwhile the smart ornithologist organizes events communicating between these various organizations to help aide in their research. Sometimes they tempt us with the taste of Bairds, Longspurs and Grasshoppers. And we can't refuse:)  Oh and did I forget to mention that there were working expert birders in the bunch who serve as guides? They add their useful tips for ID's and locations. And within all of this, there are various degrees of birders. It's a complex web of people all centered around the magical world of birds.  Yes, it could be a TV show full of drama.

A Cactus Wren guards the nest

And yet I am still a rogue agent.  Perhaps it's the way I look at things?  I can't commit large amounts of time to any of the organizations other than what I do now because I work full time.  My ears are powerful tools.  I found that whenever there is a group of people, there is often talking. So many times I need to go solo so that I can focus on sounds. I do like people but I have to concentrate. My eyes are so weak.  Sometimes when Pat is along, I need help locating the bird calling from the mass of vegetation as was the case with this Rose-breasted Grosbeak below.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a super rare bird for Southern Arizona

Recently, on a journey into Sweetwater Wetlands after school on Friday, I needed to unwind.  It began like most of my Sweetwater treks......begin at the stream and walk around the ponds.  It was dead quiet.  Hot and sunny.  But my thoughts were my own on this day.  As the sun began to set, I noticed the swallows and Lesser Nighthawks come alive in the sky.

The Lesser Nighthawks inundate our skies at twilight

I dig deeper into the magic of the Cliff Swallows as they feed in mid-flight.  I imagine it's like one motorcyclist trying to share a burrito with the other while going 55 miles an hour down the road.  I have a private laugh.

Cliff Swallows feeding

I stand under the gazebo and watch the dark shadows fly by me.  Wait?!  What was that?!

And then a miracle happened.  A bird with a looooooong tail flew past me.  Not a swallow nor a nighthawk!!!! No way.  IMPOSSIBLE!  No one was around to share this epic moment. I couldn't do anything other than quietly follow the bird and watch as it perched briefly for me to snap a few photos with my shaky hands. There it sat and there it watched me.  Me, the Rogue Agent. Or was it the other way around?  I'd need to prove to them, the guardians of data and rare sightings, that the near impossible had happened.  No one was going to believe this.  I was Big Bird with his imaginary friend Mr. Snuffleupagus.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

I contacted the necessary people, but by the time all was said and done, the sky had darkened.  An alert was sent out and people went to find the bird at sunrise the next day.  It had been too late.  The bird decided to continue its journey.  And this Rogue Agent felt bad.  How many times have I used the Listserv to find rare birds found by others?   This was my opportunity to help others find an amazing bird and I failed. I know I shouldn't be too hard on myself because I've chased other's reports only to come up empty handed.  But this was a chance to contribute something wonderful for my community.  When I help others find life birds, I get excited because there is nothing quite like the satisfying feeling of contribution.  But this life bird for many would not happen.....today.

So as I keep my eyes open for rarities during migration, I begin to plan for June. My eyes look to the North now because that is what the Rogue Agent does. I am constantly on the move like the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. I belong to no one because I am a world birder.  Not of the US.  Not of Arizona. I am a detective. This world has a few secrets left and I hope to unravel some of them. And even if I don't, I will die trying.  More to come.....

When the world comes crashing down upon us, all we have to do is step outside the door and look up....or down......to find Mother Nature's beauty. 

For more birds from around the world check out Wild Bird Wednesday!

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Elf Owl

Last week I scouted high and low to help a friend search for some of his lifebirds.  Sometimes I have feelings about when something epic will happen.  And during this past weekend, we tested the word "epic" out. Gordon Karre came down from Phoenix and together we made a powerful team as we found some of the most special birds around Southern Arizona. 

Yellow-eyed Junco

Gordon took both Kathie and myself on a birding trek around Sunflower and Mt. Ord several weeks ago.  It was an intense day.  He gave us wonderful observation time on Common Black Hawks, Zone-tail Hawks and a Canyon Wren.  Plus I was able to get two more warblers on my Arizona and lifelist!!!  The pressure was on.  Could I do the same for him when he came down to visit?

Gray Squirrel

The answer was yes.  But he also found me several lifebirds in the process!  Together we achieved a fantastic amount of work in one and half days.  We both thought alike and we both have the birding bug.  Over the week, I researched reports and went to sites alone and with Kathie.  I miss my birding buddy. And I'm going to miss her more as she abandons me for the East Coast!!! What nerve that lady has!!!!:) However, I'm heading to Central America over the same time period so it's all good. So I was thankful that we both could do some light birding over the week together before we left off to different places.

Gordon loves lizards and they are pretty amazing creatures.  But I never really think of taking pics of them unless they call my attention.  Our trek to Madera Canyon and Willcox Lake would give him 8 new lifebirds!  And for myself, 4!  One of them was the most epic.  If I'm on the hunt for a particular bird, I will memorize their songs and calls.   They don't even have to make a lot of noise for me to track them down. 

Ornate Tree Lizard

Sparrows are interesting.  Gordon would teach me the call of the Botteri's Sparrow.  Some Sparrows are rather dull and difficult to ID.....just like the flycatchers.  BUT, if you know the calls they make, the ID becomes SUPER easy!  And thankfully, the Botteri's call is a very easy one to ID. I won't forget the ball dropping sound around the fences and grasslands.

Botteri's Sparrow

In the shadows, I saw a strange bird.  I wasn't familiar with this particular bunting, but I knew it was different. And like I do with any new and exciting bird, I began to swear.  I don't even realize I'm doing it until afterwards.  People, including my other half, make fun of me for doing it.  Whatever.  We saw a Varied Bunting!!!  Epic!

Varied Bunting

Blue lit up along the bark of a tree.  Another new lizard I have never seen before!  But something even more magical happened.  We walked a trail at the uppermost parking lot in Madera Canyon.  And epic was about to happen.....

Clark's Spiny Lizard

The unmistakable barking sounds of the Elegant Trogon in a group of trees could be heard nearby!!!  Finally, after many attempts, both Gordon and myself could add this bird to our lifelists.  It was the most satisfying moment of the weekend. The bird flew into Gordon's line of sight and together we watched the bird alone without hundreds of spectators.  After 10 or 15 minutes of observation, the bird quickly disappeared and wasn't seen again on the rest of the trail.  I watched it disappear!!!  I don't know how they do that!!!  A weight was lifted off my shoulders.  We found the Trogon!  After several minutes, many people were on the trail asking about the Trogon and this time, we could say we saw it and watched as the hopeful birder's shoulders slumped.  I felt their pain as it had happened to me so many times before.  Never again. 

Elegant Trogon

My life is now complete:)  I can now relax knowing that the Elf Owl and Elegant Trogon have photo documentation.  It also marks my 2nd graduation in the birding world.  Last year it was hummingbirds.  This year with the Elegant Trogon find, I believe I have reached a new level in birding.  It's now time to study the minute differences between Sandpipers, Sparrows, etc.  There are so many yet to find.  I had a great time birding with Gordon and look forward to many more adventures with him. And as the title to this post suggests, I am finally able to sleep better at night. 

I'm linking to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday.

Dancers In The Dark

White-faced Ibis flying over at Sweetwater, Tucson

There is no denying the specific bird calls that happen while out in the field.  As a photographer, I try to get the best shots that I can with the species seen for the day.  A relatively new issue for me happened when I went to a location to find Elf Owls and Whip-Poor-Wills.  The shadows of night are mysterious and wondrous but provide little in the way of photography.  I would love to snap shots of these nocturnal birds, but I won't.  I'm afraid the flash on my camera will do harm. 

Arizona Woodpecker at Box Canyon

On a recent outing in Madera Canyon, I searched for the Whiskered Screech Owl.  While waiting for this bird to appear from the nest, I heard the unmistakable sound of the Elf Owl.  Two other night birders were with me.  My eyesight isn't so good but my ears are spot on to the sound and it helped me locate the bird from within several feet of its location.  For the next step, my new birder friends helped me locate,with my terrible eyes, the tiniest owl in the world!  It looked like a knot on the Sycamore tree along the creek.  I had my camera.  I had the flash ready to go and my human OCD nature really wanted to snap that shot.  But I couldn't.  I wouldn't.  I watched the bird with my new friends and we were extremely happy.  Then the little nub flew off the branch into oblivion.

Cedar Waxwings in Box Canyon

Sometimes birders will talk.  I am guilty of this as well, but I try to limit the chat so that I can use my ears to hone in on the bird.  On this night while sitting in the breezy grassy field, the unmistakable sound of the Mexican Whip-poor-will echoed through the canyon.  Another excellent bird.  I studied the calls before doing my nocturnal birding.  Common Poorwills, Nighthawks, etc etc.....

Sandhill Cranes near Willcox

And yet sadly, I can only write about the experiences instead of sharing pics with you.  So I chose the theme of silhouettes for this post to visually show you what I see at these times of twilight.  On a recent outing, Kathie and I stayed out near Sweetwater past sunset.  It was there that the Great Horned Owl "hoo hoo'd" on top of a tree.  The tip swayed with the bird as the wind moved it from side to side. The owl appeared too heavy to stay aloft the Aleppo Pine's tip.....and yet there it remained.  The other owl silently flew near us.  A Lesser Nighthawk also shot out in front of my car.  I have really enjoyed these night time birding adventures.  When I'm with other people, I feel comfortable.  When I'm alone, I get a little creeped out. 

Snow Geese in Bosque Del Apache, New Mexico

My biggest challenge is to find a way to get better pics of these birds without compromising their well-being.  I don't use flash in bat caves and I won't use flash at night.  So then how will I get pics of these elusive night birds??  Any advice?:)

Our adventures are going to be taking us to some really extreme places.  My other half, Pat, is a little skeptical.  It's definitely not the forests of the north nor the lush Sonoran desert but it's new territory for Las Aventuras.  Stay tuned for more fun.....

Lesser Nighthawk