Whispers of Wonders

The traditional seasons in Arizona are not always visible to our visitors. In the US, most states celebrate a distinct fall, winter, spring and summer. If you've lived in the desert for awhile, you begin to pick up the subtle beauty of the Sonoran desert.  Some people describe our seasons as "hot or not as hot".  And while that may be somewhat true, I'd like to present our version of spring this week:)

Hedgehog Cactus

The "summer" birds begin to arrive into Southern Arizona while others are in the middle of nesting. Cacti begin to bloom.  Butterflies begin to show up in greater numbers while the "Snowbirds" (the human and bird kinds) begin to leave:) Reptiles begin to hang out on rocks. Snakes slink their way across roads and into Herpetologist's hearts.

Elegant Earless Lizard

And the owls.  I love the owls the best.  It's one of the better times of the year to find owls near their nests....or just find owls period:)  Our Great Horned Owls were successful again this year raising 4 owlets!  Along with another teacher, we monitor their nest each day to make sure they are developing as they should.  With over 2000 people on our campus, it's amazing that the parent owls return each year to this site.  But we're glad they do.  It's also a great way to educate future birders.  Soon they will leave this make shift nest and bounce their way into the nearby Ironwood Trees.

4 Great Horned Owlets

While monitoring my ebird work patch, I found this soon to be leaving White-crowned Sparrow taking a dirt bath.  The bird didn't seem to mind me watching. 

White-crowned Sparrow

As it warms up, the birds begin looking for a companion to begin their nesting process. Some nest within the holes of these massive Saguaros below. Others prefer nesting within the Cholla cactus(center)

From left to right.  Saguaro Cactus(large upright cactus), Tree Cholla(reddish blooms), Palo Verde Tree(yellow blooms)

This is also a great time to visit southern Arizona. It's not too hot or cold and there's lots to see!  While on my treks this week, I spotted a Cooper's Hawk feeding.  Normally I don't see them banded so I did some follow up.  When I don't know something, I throw the information out on the google machine and Facebook. I am always thankful for the positive feedback I get from people.  The University of Arizona is conducting a study on Cooper's Hawks.  These birds are numerous in the Tucson area and their population appears to be growing. In fact, the Old Pueblo has one of the highest counts in the US. This may also explain why our Inca Dove population has almost completely disappeared from the area.  

A 8 year old male Cooper's Hawk

Anyhow, I found the right person and he emailed me back straight away. Here's the info he gave me on this bird. 
"Hi Chris:
The bird you saw was a male and was banded as a nesting adult on 13 June 2007. He was nesting on Silverbell Golf Course  (just south of the wetlands) at that time and has been seen there each year since. Your photo lets us record that he is alive and back in the same area again this year.  Thanks!
Bill Mannan"

If you find a banded Cooper's Hawk, you can report your sighting and pic to this email. mannan@ag.arizona.edu.  

Until next time......

Tree Cholla Cactus Bloom

The Swing of Spring

Swainson's Thrush

Birds are everywhere.  Lifebirds are just around the corner.  You don't have to travel far in Arizona to find them!  In fact, I'm pretty sure you never have to leave this state to find new birds:)

Female Summer Tanager

Spring has been a lot of fun.  One day a wave of several birds will come through and the next, they'll be gone.  But another group will be present.  Such was the case of the Swainson's Thrush.  I remember birders telling me about these birds.  I didn't know how I'd tell the Swainson's or Hermit apart. When I started to hear a different sounding thrush and noticed atypical movement, I was quick to pull out my recorder and listen to the call.  After plugging in the name, I was able to confirm on the spot that I had indeed heard and seen several of the Swainson's thrushes.

The night passed and the new day began.  I did my count around school and discovered several new species for my patch.  The Lark Sparrow!!!

Lark Sparrow

As the Saguaro blooms open, every bird becomes a fan and rises to the tops of this amazing cactus.  On 3 arms, there are 3 birds!  The White-winged Dove, Pyrrhuloxia and Curve-billed Thrasher enjoy the fruit from these plants. The birds will then spread the pollen around which will create fruit containing thousands of seeds.  The birds of course, along with other mammals, including humans, will eat the fruits. Birds will help spread the seed around the desert.  A Saguaro depends solely on this symbiotic relationship to survive in the Sonoran desert.

From left to right.  White-winged dove, Pyrrhuloxia, and Curve-billed Thrasher on Saguaro Cactus

So many wonderful birds can be spotted on top of these flowers.  Just point your binos on top and you'll find hummingbirds, bees, thrashers, warblers and.......well the list goes on and on.

Curve-billed Thrasher

Meanwhile back at the ranch.  The owlets at my school have finally begun to move out of their trees and nest. All 3 have fledged and are with Mom and Dad.  Many of the staff were worried that they were harmed, but thanks to plenty of observation this past year, I could ease their minds a bit:)  While they weren't in their nest anymore, they had moved over the weekend into trees away from the cafeteria area.  Very smart move on their part.  Teenagers are LOUD!  At dusk, one of the teachers was rewarded with the owl silhouettes on the roof.  5 owls living the American dream!

Great Horned Owlet

This is the youngest and last to hatch.  I worried that this one wouldn't make it but Mom stayed with the baby until the end and now this little owlet is on the move with the other two siblings.

Spring moves on and summer will be arriving quickly. The owls departure from their nest also begins to mark the end of spring migration.  However, one never knows.  Who will stop by tomorrow?  Stay tuned for more.

Looking Back-Birds Of Prey

I began this year. The beginning of my real wildlife photography would start.  I would learn to track flight, manual focus on the spot, and train my eye and hand to be quick.

Harris Hawks

Looking back?  My knowledge of birds is stronger.  The wildlife photography has improved.

I have yet to spot so many more birds, but my investigations began with Birds of Prey.  

They were larger and easier to spot in the wild.

Red Tail Hawk

Some were found right in my own backyard!  Like these two hawks. 

Cooper's Hawk

 Some would be found accidentally like these owlets below. 

Or this Turkey Vulture...

.......and in more exotic locations, birds like this Northern Harrier would fly over my head and catch my eye.

The assassin known as the Loggerhead Shrike would sit on a branch waiting for its prey.

My ears could not deny me my first discovery of this pair of Great Horned Owls.
 

...or the camouflage of this Western Screech Owl.

Slowly, I add to my birding lists and will continue to do so until I find them all:)   And that may take me awhile.

The Gray Hawk is quite stunning around Riparian areas.

Or the mystical Ferruginous Hawk.....

More importantly.  Everytime I investigate a new bird, I learn about the habitat, what they eat and how they sound......

.....and that continues to add to my knowledge base.

And that in itself is the living classroom....the one we find surrounding us.

And then there are the exotic places that I can only glimpse at faires.  Birds that are found elsewhere around the world.....the Birds of Prey that exist in Europe or South America.  And I yearn to find them in their natural habitat.  I've been exposed to a broader picture of the bird world.

Eagle Owls with massive wingspans, deadly buzzards from Africa......

....or South America.....

.....make my mind wander.  What more is out there?  Where could I find them?

And thanks to these beautiful birds, my hunger only grows to find more at each Rare Bird Alert that pops up on my screen.  Location.  GPS tracking coordinates.  It's all exciting stuff.  More to come.....

First Steps

Today is a favorite of mine and I hope you enjoy this as well.  It's a happy story that I've been tracking now for several months.  The owlets! Mother of Pearls!!!!  I found them and I remember the excitement of it all.  I had been wondering about how they were doing so I searched a block near their nests.

It was before sundown and I was the only one on the trail.  It was so quiet.  As I walked closer around the bend, I noticed activity near the water.  It was a very special moment and I remember feeling the "presence" of others and remembered that the parents would be near......

There were 3 owlets.  One was in the tree while the other two were near the water.  Both mother and father were close by.  I kept my distance using my lens to get close shots.  Of course I didn't want to leave the scene, but I also didn't want to interrupt their feeding.  So I kept moving along quietly smiling......how cool was all this?  I went home very happy with my finds on this evening.

They are such beautiful creatures and I don't think that I'll ever stop taking pictures of them.  Plus this story is a happy one.  I'm very thankful that they have a place to grow up without human involvement and that they are able to develop on their own. 

So as I left, the parental units kept their eyes on me and I them....

Once I was out safely from the area, I looked back and took a couple more shots with the long lens. This was quite the special event and I wanted to make sure I took it all in......

And this is my parting shot of the owlets as they appeared from across the body of water.  What a wonderful night!!

Note how the owlet has more feathers than body.  The feathers make them appear bigger than they really are.

Who Watches The Watcher?

Have you ever been walking a trail and feel like something is watching you intently? Here in the desert, if it's a Mountain Lion, you'll never know that they're stalking you until you're dead:) But sometimes.....just sometimes....I get that chill up my back......and look hoo it is:)

During this time of finals chaos, I escape to clear my mind. And as I got lost in my photography, I found yet another miracle in this Great Horned nest.  Instead of 2 owlets, I found 3!!!

They watched me carefully.  I was with my new friends Sally and Robert.  Sometimes you focus the camera in one area looking for the bird or animal and discover it's staring straight at you!  And sometimes I get goosebumps after I realize I've been watched for a long time.

And speaking of being stalked....last year I had an incident of being stalked by another human.  I'm only writing about it now because I am much more comfortable talking about it.  I had gotten sick to my stomache physically knowing that someone was following me around town.  I'm leaving some of the details out obviously but the police were involved.  We were at a party one night and I discovered a car sitting outside the home.  It became worse as the stalker went to my neighbor's houses.  When my loved ones became worried, I made the call to the police.  And it was an awkward conversation.  Thankfully it stopped.   I realized having a stalker isn't as cool as it sounds:)

This is adorable....the owlet is yawning:)

Now when wildlife "stalks" me or vice versa, I'm okay.  But another thought pops into my head, "How far would I go for the "shot"?  If a Mountain Lion charged me, I think I would stand taking pictures until I was eaten:)  And it's okay if I got eaten because I'm doing what I love PLUS it's one less person on this world.  I should clarify that it is highly unlikely to be charged by the elusive Mountain Lion.  However, there have been reports in the past of "stalking" at Sabino Canyon.  You'll see signs posted.  It's just something to be aware about....and these cases are usually related to a rabies outbreak.  Just be aware of your surroundings and of course, during this hot summer, bring lots of water.  Hike before 10 AM or after 4 PM. I will usually take my walks around 5 or 6 because I hate the direct sun.  But seriously, have you thought about how far you would go to get that "shot"?  And if you are that person, what was the experience?

I can't imagine my life without photography and birding/wildlife buddies like Sally and Robert.  I realize how precious life is and how every day has to count.  These owlets make me smile and clear my mind of all the crazy things that happen around me.  I will always be curious, like my cats, and I will always push the envelope until I can't anymore.  More tomorrow....