Meanwhile

Our Great Horned Owlets before leaving the next this year

We arrived back to Arizona and there was very little rest for me.  I had several projects and some guiding to do! Not only that, we had a fund raising event.  So I had to carefully weave my work schedule and birding forays together into one masterpiece of a lesson plan.

On the work front, I was busy watching over our Great Horned Owls.  They, once again, successfully hatched in our new nest box.  There are 3 beautiful new owlets in the world now.  It takes quite a bit of community outreach to educate the general public and school population about these birds.  Hopefully through my talks and data, more people are aware about how owls fledge. And hopefully the Freshmen learn that they do not eat hot and spicy Cheetos. Ugh! It's the same conversation EVERY year.  Everyone thinks they're injured when they find them on the ground.  In most cases, this is not true.  Great Horned Owls need to develop leg strength first and THEN their wings develop. They flop out of their nest and stay close to a bush or tree for cover. The parents are usually close by watching and protecting them. It's funny watching them begin their first flight:)  Here's a recent video of the birds after they fledged. 

On the guiding front, I met a new friend and birder from Florida by the name of Homer.  It was his first time to Arizona which means he got to do the Southeastern Arizona sampler with some of the fun extras that are rare to the US. 

We had a blast looking for all kinds of great birds around Southeastern Arizona. This guy was serious and he was "no holds barred"! He's a great birder and was ready for the challenge. Every morning he was ready to go!  It's the adrenaline of being in a new space.  I smile because his energy was contagious and it was fun finding life birds. 

Bendire's Thrasher

There's nothing quite like birding in Arizona.  I love this state and I love my birds. I just bird local areas now unless something good comes into the state, but even then, I think I'm slowing down on the chases. Like most of you reading this blog, we watch birds from our local patches.  I have become more interested in behaviors. But when a friend comes to visit for a good chase, I'm ready for the challenge. Homer is a fantastic photographer and I hope he comes back again to visit. 

Gambel's Quail

We spent some time in Box Canyon searching for some incredible birds.  But I also couldn't get over these amazing views!

The beautiful Box Canyon

Meanwhile the dramas of public education played out during my daytime job.  We are losing teachers and no one cares.  Promises are broken and the majority of parents have come to see education as a glamorized babysitting clinic.  It's a bit scary.  I do my part and try and build community in my classroom.  On this day, we celebrate our year's accomplishments. 

Cascarones Day, a celebration before finals

We took a bus of students over to the Biosphere where I took my readings of nesting Barn Swallows on the grounds.  Everything looks fine in that area. Thanks to Lori for organizing the event! 

During this time, me and Mr. Gordon took a side trip over to Texas and New Mexico.  Those posts are coming. 

Bell's Vireo

My friend Celeste came to visit and she had never been to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. And I was itching for a road trip with Betty.  

It was a gorgeous day FULL of birds.  The exciting find for us there was a Red-eyed Vireo!  It was a new state bird for me.  I should have been more excited, but I have to admit, it was really about the company and once again, great weather, birds and views. 

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

I wasn't done.  Yes, I am mentally and physically exhausted.  I have been going non-stop since March.  One of my last things I got to do before diving into my work full time was join our Wrenegades team once again to fund raise for Tucson Audubon. We did it once again and this year our Birdathon raised over 35,000 dollars! 

the Wrenegades strike again!

I have discovered that I now have a bunion.  Bunions are real and they hurt like crazy.  So I need to wear wider shoes.  Plantar fasciitis is also real.  Good gods!  I both love and hate getting older!

Bushtit

It has been a fun ride to the end of this school year.  

Grace's Warbler

This summer is going to have a small change of plans from my normal birding treks.  My Dad had a triple bypass surgery recently and I wanted to be home with my family to help out.  But before I do go home, I'll be stopping in Maine with Kathie and Gus for some fun birding. 

climbing Tumamoc Hill and counting birds

 This year has been difficult for so many people.  I'd like you all to keep Kathy Cooper in your thoughts.  If you've followed this blog over the years, you'll know she has been the wind beneath our wings at the Aribabi Ranch.  This weekend she fights for her life at the hospital. I went to visit last night and I wish I were here to help her daughter out but I've got to head back to be with my Dad.  To top it off, Kathie's hubby, Gus, had a stroke this last week.  So please keep these peeps in your thoughts. They're all wonderful people.

Kathy on the Aribabi Ranch doing a land survey

The human condition, birding, mentors, work, relationships and everything else can be a real challenge.  The only thing I can do is be there with good energy for the people who have done so much for me in my life.  I can only hope to pass on their knowledge from what they've taught me.  It's not that we won't find birds together; we will.  But this year, it's about being present. Next week we take a trek to Texas to search for several endemics!  

We discover a secret pond in the foothills and I collect data with Lori and Tami

Life truly is an amazing adventure!  Until next time.....

Oculus Reparo

Greater Roadrunner

A little over a year ago, I updated my camera gear to a 500 mm lens.  She was a monster, but oh how magnificent were those photos!  

Turkeys put on a display at the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon.  Photo taken with my cell phone

Now she's in the shop due to the zoom feature (which locked up on me last week). Here are the last of my 500 mm shots.  

My first White-faced Ibis of the year flies over my head at the Coachline Lake in Marana

I kept my emergency 300 mm lens from my last camera but oh.....I so notice the lack of detail in the photos now.  So while I wait for the 2 weeks to pass, migration is happening all around me. 

Rare for the US but common in our southern Sky Islands, the Buff-breasted Flycatchers are quite active on top of Carr Canyon

I have been swamped with work and with visitor's from out of state coming to bird.  It's so easy to escape and join others to find birds when there is a lot at home to get done:) Elf Owl vs Fixing The Ceiling Fan? Or Tufted Flycatcher vs watering the garden?

I might be reaching a new chapter in my life with our local birds in the sense that I don't need to drive two hours to see an American Golden Plover.  Instead, I'm okay birding a local patch nearby my house. 

My first of the year Grace's Warbler on top of Carr Canyon

And while I am without my lens, I'm actually enjoying the fact that I don't have it.  My binos have been all that I've been carrying lately. 

A beautiful Swainson's Hawk takes flight

So, I don't have any pictures of the Golden-crowned Sparrow I saw at a local resident's home this past week(thank you Cathy!). And it was also on that night that my camera lens decided to freeze up on me😠😠 I don't have a pic of the Broad-winged Hawk I saw getting harassed by a Great-tailed Grackle.  These are all rarities that I think require photo documentation, but it's not going to happen for the next several weeks.

Jenny (first person in the pic) tolerates Bill's crazy bird addiction.  When the Elf Owl shows, everyone is thrilled.  Madera Canyon this time of year is AWESOME! 

I went out one evening with Bill and Jenny from Wisconsin to Madera Canyon and helped them locate Elf and Whiskered Screech Owls.  We also got a visual of the Mexican Whip-poor-will.  All three were lifers. 

A bathing female Yellow Warbler at Sweetwater

On the day I saw this bathing Yellow Warbler, I met up with Nathan and Stella from Maryland at Sweetwater.  I'm not sure if Nathan's Dad will talk to me after he drove up a rocky road on Carr Canyon for the Tufted Flycatcher. He was visibly shaken and stayed inside of his car. I forget flatlanders are not used to our intense Arizona rugged landscape.  To him, I offer my sincerest apologies. I had new tires put on my passenger vehicle and showed them that I also made it up the road without incident.  They had a rental and it was really ok.....but still.  Finding some excellent birds can be challenging.  Their reward?  Beautiful views of the rare-to-the US Buff-breasted Flycatchers. 

Green Heron at Sweetwater

While I wait for my lens to return, I'll still continue birding.  

a large kettle of Turkey Vultures lands in the Arizona Cottonwoods for the night

One last note.  If you've been following Las Aventuras for a few years now, you'll recognize these characters:)  This year, our Great Horned Owl team, Mike, Janet, Peter and myself, purchased a new basket for our nesting owls.  

Great Horned Owl at my work site

 We weren't sure if they'd take to the new basket as they began nesting in the Saguaro nearby. 

 BUT, there were a lot of kids walking past that area and the owls decided to move to the new basket.  This year, there are only two owlets  because the first two eggs were placed inside the arm of the Saguaro.  When they moved to the basket, those eggs were abandoned. 

Anyhow, their progress is on track.  My biggest complaint?  That stupid string.  We were so worried that the basket would fall during our windy season in March that we overdid it:)  My guess is that this weekend or the next will be their first venture outside the basket. Both Mom and Dad are trying to push them out to get them on the ground.  Owlets learn to walk first.  Then fly(sometimes into buildings:) and then hang out with their parents before flying off into our nearby wash.  Until next time friends.....

Of Squirrels and Birders

Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel

We continued our treks into the cooler climates of Northern Arizona.  On this journey, Barb, Ellen, Gordon and myself would investigate the Heber-Overgaard areas. We had to find several common yet sometimes elusive Arizona species. This trip would again prove worthwhile as we'd find new species (and old).  We all had a great time searching for new life around these smaller communities.

Gordon uses his wizard staff to call forth the Yellow-headed Blackbirds

Gordon did a wonderful job investigating the areas around Heber and Overgaard.  We went to places like Woods Canyon and Black Canyon Lakes.  On this weekend, I would again end up with 3 new lifebirds and a decent shot of another lifebird I found several months ago. Sometimes I see lifebirds and am not able to get pics.....and that's frustrating.

Western Tanager(female) eats a bee

Up along the Mogollon Rim, there are rivers, lakes and pine forests.  Over the years, fires have taken their toll on several patches of forest in the area, but overall, it's still very green and quite beautiful.  It is also here that we find a large variety of birds not found around the Phoenix or Tucson areas.

Bald Eagle

Such birds, like the Bald Eagle, are rare finds for the Tucson area.  But along the Salt River outside of Phoenix and in Northern Arizona, they are quite common.  The simple fact is that I don't get to bird much in the northern regions of the state.  So this was an opportunity to find more of those "specialty" birds that are found only in certain areas.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

The first true exciting find happened along Woods Canyon Lake.  This Red-breasted Nuthatch isn't the easiest bird to find in Arizona. More common are the Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches.  So when this bird flew into view, I became excited! Everyone in the group was wondering why it was so important for me to get great shots of this bird......until I explained it was a lifebird.  Then they all understood:)

I wasn't embarrassed that the rest of the group had already seen this bird before, but it was one of "those" birds that I think most birders assume people have seen.  One thing was for sure.  The sighting was a "high five" moment with the group.

Townsend's Solitaire with a beak full

Along the way, we really had nice views of Townsend's Solitaires.  There was a nest nearby with several juveniles flying around the trees.  While we were observing these birds, several hikers walked by and made fun of us.  That got a laugh from the group.  I used to be one of those people not so long ago. Barb, a birder of 20 years, took it all with a grain of salt.  I really enjoyed hearing her stories and fun antidotes for remembering bird calls. I wonder what she thinks about all of us "newbies".  All I know is that I have a great amount of respect for our group.  They were the kind of birders you'd want to have on a team.   Generally, Phoenix birders know their spots from Phoenix to Flagstaff.  Tucsonans know the hot birding spots from Picacho Peak to the Mexican border.  There is an imaginary divide between our cities.   And again, I have found that collaborating with the Northerners has been beneficial and worth the time.  As a Southerner, I am at my best in my own territory. It's true of any place I suppose but I would like to mention again how important birding as a team is beneficial to all involved.  We then begin to form friendships and it's so much fun.

Williamson's Sapsucker

Then magic happened.  A bird that I had already seen (but not had good observations of) came into optimal viewing.  Gordon and I were both thrilled.  Our cameras took lots of pics.  Again, more hikers crossed our path and wondered why we were looking at the tree in front of us.  Most continued onward.  A couple people stayed and watched the male Williamson's Sapsucker with us.

Red-faced Warbler

The Red-faced Warblers were really out in full numbers.  They were everywhere!  Several were super close to us on the branches.  Again, we had optimal viewing.

Mountain Bluebird

Then life bird number 2 would happen.  The Mountain Bluebirds were found off the nearby highway.  I got a little mud on my shoes as I trucked through a field to get better views of this bird.

Pinyon Jays

Another elusive bird for both Gordon and myself had been the Pinyon Jays of Northern Arizona.  It has been a real joy to hear the different sounds of Jays from this summer in not only the US but Guatemala. We heard the Jay-like calls and stopped the car. Then 30 of these Jays burst forth out of the trees.

Grace's Warbler

Grace's Warblers flitted in and out of the pines chasing bugs.

The burns from the Rodeo-Chedeski fires from 2002 are still present around Black Canyon Lake.

But life continues.....

Brewer's Blackbird

It's always fun to bird out of town.  But as noted by both Gordon and myself.......

The life birds are getting harder:) Barb just smiled as Gordon, Ellen and myself move forward into new territory.  At this point in my story, I have seen 385 species worldwide for the year which is only 4 percent of the 8,000 birds seen so far this year as reported by Ebird.   Recently, several fellow birders have hit the 2000 bird milestone.  That is an incredible accomplishment.  I'm now working on reaching 500 for the year.....and it may just happen.  Not bad for 2 years of birding.  It's not about the numbers, but it is about feeding that insane curiosity from within.  I don't care if I find a life bird in the US or Mexico.  Life birds are still life birds.  No matter where you see them.  It's about the experience behind finding each bird.

However, birding is now much more challenging. It keeps pushing us into new areas:)  We learn to team up with others to accomplish our own life goals.  We will walk the forests, in rivers, the deserts, mountain tops and the snowy tundra for years to come. If that doesn't sound like a grand adventure, I don't know what does.  Wherever we go, there will be a story to tell.

Hairy Woodpecker

More from Guatemala next week......
I'm linking up with Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday.