Two Birds Are Better Than One

Black-capped Gnatcatcher

On a beautiful and relaxing weekend out, we went searching for 2 new birds to add to the Arizona State list. It was cold and it felt good to be on the trails again for long periods of time.

White-faced Ibis

Our first count happened at Patagonia Lake State Park for the rare(to the US) Green Kingfisher.  It's a pretty bird that happened to be hanging out in a beautiful location. 

The waterways of Patagonia

These past two months close to home have been fun for me because the riparian corridors in Southern Arizona have been really exciting to explore.  And it seems like the birding trend has been for birders to explore these spaces more.  The weather was perfect and the bird finds were fantastic.

Bewick's Wren

Besides all the regulars we get, we had a whopping 10 rare species show up on our count over a 5 hour time period! Yes.  We were on the trails for 5 hours because the weather was SO nice.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

We also went to help out with the CBC counts down in Patagonia.  I didn't sign up at all because I couldn't commit to the dates.  Originally we were supposed to go up to Mt. Lemmon but a snow storm hit the mountain and made it difficult for us to help that CBC count.  My car is a simple one. She's not rough or rugged like other birder cars.

While we were down there, we were able to relocate the Green Kingfisher and help the crew find some new species to add to their counts.

Hutton's Vireo

The photo of the Green Kingfisher below is a stock photo of the many we have seen down in Mexico. It's a very pretty bird.

As we were finishing up our counts, we saw a gull fly towards us.  Gulls in Arizona are fun because we obviously don't get to see them often in the desert.  But a Pacific Storm had rolled through the area bringing with it a Pacific Loon(expected rarity during this time of year) and a California Gull.

California Gull at sunset

People had said there were Ring-billed Gulls in the area so I had expected to see this more common gull.  Then I saw the red dip on the lower bill and I knew we had a California Gull. Again this bird isn't unexpected, but it does show up as rare.  Patagonia State Park is expensive and the 20 dollar entrance fee is too much.  Unfortunately, this will be our last trip there until that fee comes down.  However, we had an amazing day out finding at least 77 species of birds. Here is our count.

Cackling Goose

As Sunday arrived, I had one more bird I needed for my AZ state list, the Long-tailed Duck. It's a crazy bird for our state.  They do show up from time to time in December.  A couple years ago, one showed up on Christmas Day and then disappeared shortly afterwards.  For those who could break away from the Christmas formalities, it was a gift.

Hammond's Flycatcher

So when this one showed up a week ago, I thought it wouldn't stick around for the weekend.  Then it did.  And that's when I made the decision to go.

Northern Cardinal

However, this location, the Glendale Recharge Ponds, is not so pretty and not really so much fun to explore.  You just show up and look at the basins to count birds that are usually too far out to see without a scope.

Pyrrhuloxia

When a birder arrives at this location, they are greeted by lots of graffiti. I've been told that some people have had things stolen or worse.  Just recently, a man hung himself from the bridge.  There was an altar to remember him as we parked our car at the "entrance". 

The canals of Glendale Recharge Ponds

I called my friend Gordon on a whim to see what he was doing and he's like....yeah, let's go birding!  That was awesome.  Even though he had seen the bird, he wanted to go out and bird for awhile. Plus, he is a master of kung fu and jujutsu.  So he warded off the bad people as we scoured the ponds for the Long-tailed Duck.  While we were there, we witnessed a lot of poaching along the canal.  Several people were collecting fish illegally.  When we moved to their location, they moved away but not without collecting several buckets of fish.  So here is my advice for this popular birding spot.  If you are visiting, go during the day and with a friend.  Many locals go alone but only because they are familiar with the area. 

Long-tailed Duck

Coming up next week, Las Aventuras hits the road once again to find new birds.  I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season.  Until next week.......

Crafty Playmaker

The rare Flame-colored Tanager

I have realized that I cannot bird 24/7.  I have thought about cloning myself but I don't know how to do it. Yet.  With final exams, visitors from others states, and other demands, I find myself often exhausted. But it's a good exhaustion. April and May bring in the best birds, but they are also some of the busiest for me. Most of the time, I do a good job making people believe I don't have a job.  But then April comes and the truth is revealed. But. And. But. And. But......yes, my writing in May takes a hit:)

Luckily, much of our "tah-dahs!" in Arizona revolve around outdoor activities.  So when visitors come, I carefully schedule beautiful hikes and visits to some of our most incredible places.  Take for example Ramsey Canyon(above).  A Flame-colored Tanager was hanging out there, and what a coincidence!  So were we:)

Hammond's Flycatcher

Tucson isn't hot or cold right now.  It's juuuuuuuuuust right!  So I like to take my teaching outdoors.  On this day, we had a fun break from grammar lessons and celebrated Guacamole Day!  

While the kids were having fun, I was also monitoring our nesting Great Horned Owls.  

Great Horned Owlet

 Or were they monitoring us? Perhaps they had a taste for avocado?:)  Either way, the parents and their owlets were in good shape. This year they had 3 healthy owlets!

Meanwhile, the students finished up their guac and began tasting each other's work.  While we were sitting down at the picnic tables, I had them move back a little from an area I was staging. Then I taught them how to "bird whisper" with a few crunchy tortilla strips.  "Profe, there are no birds here!"  I responded, "They are all around us watching." A few moments of silence and some crunchy tortilla bits did the trick. A massive flock of sparrows, doves and other birds flew onto the scene. "No way!!!" Maybe I'll get one of them addicted to this birding passion besides learning Spanish:)  Or better yet, they become a Spanish speaking Ornithologist!  I can dream, can't I?

Spotted Towhee

Over the weeks, a rare Caspian Tern would show up as would many other beautiful and wondrous birds. 

My Dad would visit.  And as a transition between work and his visit, I would bird for 20 or 30 minutes quietly each day. I am overwhelmed by people's conversations non-stop all day.  So it's important that I shut down away from people for just a few hours each day.  Birding allows me this opportunity. I observed Common Poorwills and Lesser Nighthawks feeding at sunset.  

Gadwall

While the locations weren't exotic, I didn't care.  I just needed to connect with the outdoors alone.  People make time to exercise or go to church or whatever.  I make time for nature.  Without it, I would go stir crazy. 

Black-crowned Night Heron

We had a great time.  My Dad saw lots of wonderful places.  And he got to meet some great people like Anne and Christopher Lucic of Oracle.

Anne proudly stands next to her hubby Chris.  They both are artists who live in Oracle and the sculpture behind them is his work!  The Oracle Sailcart

They invited us to explore Oracle State Park and the ranch house.  What an amazing morning out! I discovered where the Western Scrub-Jays hang out on Mt. Lemmon:) I fell in love with the artsy little town of Oracle.  Thanks Anne for the wonderful tour!

Now it's off to explore again.  It's time to find more life birds.  An epic journey is about to take place.  After finals are over, it'll be time to fly again!

Until next time friends......

The Cost of a Lifebird

Black-headed Grosbeak in Madera Canyon

Today's post was inspired from a thought on my way home from a major birding trek.  Just how much money am I shelling out for this birding addiction of mine?  Then I began to think about how much it costs to find a new bird each time I see one.   This post hits me at a time of burn out.  I have so much going on right now that I am fighting the impulse to bird. Really since January, I've been going, going, going.  It's almost like a target practice.  Locate the place and bird until your eyes can't see anything.

Hooded Oriole at Kubo B & B in Madera Canyon

And then the worst thing happened.  I was so lost in my ID work on sea birds while I was in California that I forgot about a major get together with a friend who had spent a lot of money on us to attend this wine and cheese social.  But because I was so lost in my work, I only realized what had happened after the event!  A personal cost.  That was terrible.  I never forget anything, but I did apparently suffer some brain loss. So I have to make that up to my dear friend.

The Red-wing Blackbird at Sweetwater Wetlands

The safety factor. While spying on a really cool lifebird, a group of homeless people along the Colorado River were fighting. Luckily I was with another person but it made me angry.  No one messes with the lifebird.  Had they approached me, I would have clocked them a good one.  There is an internal drive that I can't explain.  I want to know more.  I want to see more.  I want to know, film, and experience life through the birds.  We purchased a 35 dollar a night hotel room for two days in Yuma. 70 dollars.  Never in my life would I have thought about staying in this city, but add the Colorado River with birds and we're there in a heart beat. In fact, the birds made Yuma look much better:) And the farmer's fields are HOT right now with migration!  Then food, gas, and DRIVING to the destinations!  One weekend cost 250 dollars.  And that was cheap.  I gained about 10 new lifebirds.  Breakdown.  25 dollars a bird.  Don't forget the park passes! Or the entrance fees into parks that don't acknowledge park passes:)

Hammond's Flycatcher on the Mt. Baldy Trail, Madera Canyon

At first, it seems easy.  Birding is free!!!  You can bird anywhere you want.  But isn't that the trap?  You begin to see one bird and then you want to see another.....and another.....and before you know it, you're as some say, "In deep".  While this may be true for this year, it won't be for next.  My primary goal is centered around lifebirds from around the world.  It just so happens that Arizona has quite a chunk of North American birds here with quite a few exotics from Mexico, Central and South America. As one birder doing a Big Year told me about 2 weeks ago, "You live in a great state.  Lucky you."  Everyone doing a Big Year has to, at some point, come to Arizona.  It has been fun meeting the Big Year people while on my treks.

Common Yellowthroat

I reached a point last week during a search for the Lesser Yellowlegs in Tucson. I said to myself, "Enough is enough!"  I stood for an hour staring at the recharge basins in Sweetwater after work. I eventually saw one of the two birds reported there but being the photographer that I am, I was not satisfied with the views.  Did I see the Lesser Yellowlegs?  Yes.  Did I see the Blue-throated Hummingbird the weekend before?  Yes.  But it was quick.  For many of the birders with me, they were satisfied with the observations and checked it off their list. It was only their first time seeing the bird!!!  And it's a glorious bird!  For me, it has to be more than that......to say you saw a bird for 5 seconds isn't really "seeing" a bird.  Luckily I have observed the Blue-throated Hummingbird many times before.  If you're curious, you can check here or here.

But then some birds brought me back to the basics.  The Red-wing Blackbird and the Common Yellowthroat called out during my search for the Lesser Yellowlegs.  They said, "Here I am!!!  Look at me!"  Well they didn't say that necessarily, but it was a wake up call.  While some say I'm in deep, there are several others in deeper.  There is definitely a chase going on.  I don't know if it was like this last year. But it's certainly hot this year.  On a daily basis, people are adding new birds to their lists.  With my school finals coming up, a trip to Guatemala, a nerd fest at Phoenix Comicon, weddings, etc etc........well my plate is full.  Now I'm still in the race, but toning it down a little.  Afterall, it's about enjoying the birds.  No more forgetting personal obligations! I think the worst part is that I've converted my other half into birding.  Pat purchased a great camera and is liking the competition part.  PLUS, those little birding couple trips we take have been a lot of fun as we throw ourselves into an experience full of people, culture and BIRDS! Pat's spark bird?  The Burrowing Owl.  More on that later.  Birding is serious business.  But so is my sanity and my checkbook.  If I'm not careful, we'll be living out of a tent:)  Now that actually might be fun.......:)

White-throated Swift

Tumacacori

"Birding at a historical site??!!!  You're really off your rocker Ms.Kathie Brown!"  Birds and an old mission?  How can that be possible?  Plus fresh tortillas and beans?  This is too good to be true.  A little history with our birding was exactly what was in store for us this day as we struck gold at the Tumacacori historical site.

Hammond's Flycatcher

There is an incredible hiking trail known as the De Anza trail that passes along the mission and a river.  My slow brain put two and two together and smiled.  Oh yes.  This was indeed bird rich.  I love history.  I love birds.  And I love nice weather with good food.  This would indeed be a great day.  Along the way, we'd get some really great birds.

Rufous-winged Sparrow

The problem with me is that I get distracted easily with wonderful photo opportunities.  I found myself snapping shots left and right of the mission.  I had surprisingly never been to this place before but it was indeed full of great historical importance, design and nature.

So we both got lost a bit in our thoughts as we explored all the nooks and crannies of the mission.

I became a teacher because of this stuff.  This wonderful crappy old stuff.  Well warm weather, yummy food, Mexican parties, gardening, Spanish, bla bla bla also helped:)  But needless to say, this was right up my alley. And they were serving hot food out in the beautiful Mexican courtyard. Have you ever had fresh fresh tortillas? The place even had orchards!!!!

While we were out in the courtyard, Lark Sparrows were getting sips from the fountain!!!  No way.  Cardinals, Wrens, Phoebes, Warblers.........all in the courtyard!  It blew my mind!

Lark Sparrow

The Bewick's Wren FINALLY gave me excellent views.  This wren is a tricky one to capture for the camera!

Bewick's Wren

Lifebirds are tricky.  But I train my ear to their sounds.  I heard the call clearly and it snapped my attention directly towards the bird.  Lifebird means focusing all my energy on a good shot!  The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher!!!!  YES!!!  Another new bird!

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Tumacacori is located south of Tucson off of Interstate 19 towards Mexico.  It's easy to visit plus it's near the artsy city of Tubac.  It's a great way to spend the day with friends, birders OR both:) Stay tuned for more....

Lark Sparrows

The Little Bitty Birds

Painted Redstart

Today's post is fun and incredibly awesome.  There were many lifebirds here for me and during my stay at the Birder's B & B in Portal, AZ I was able to drink coffee, read my book and bird!!!  Many people ask if it's worth spending your money on birding places and my answer is "YES!"  

Black-throated Gray Warbler 

While my hikes were productive, much of my finds happened outside of my cabin door!  There's nothing better than to have birds surrounding you at all times because you never know who will drop in.  These were some special finds......like the Blue-throated Hummingbird.

Blue-throated Hummingbird

Granted the lighting here isn't great here but I was so close!!!  I wasn't expecting this hummingbird around but apparently 2 pairs nest all year round here.

Hammond's Flycatcher

Of course during the quiet of my reading, a lot of these little birds would fly right up to the running water.

Hermit Thrush

I discovered over my 3 days here that the warbler and small bird invasion happened during the hours of 8:00 AM til 9:00 AM.  Well this was the best viewing that I had all day of these birds and it's one of the few times they would come out into the open for me to capture on film.

But it was incredible.  The Warbler Invasion was awesome.  I've heard about this happening in other places but never had I witnessed it in person.  Not only did the warblers come in great numbers but so did lots of Sparrows, Bridled Titmouse, Painted Redstart(also considered a warbler), Flycatchers, and hummers!  It was like a small bird party.

I sat smiling in the cool temps of Portal drinking wonderful coffee and reading a great book.

Chipping Sparrow

My personal thrills for this day were the Black-throated Gray Warbler and Painted Redstarts!  I think I jumped out of my seat.

They had been reported at Sweetwater in Tucson but I wasn't having any luck finding them.  Plus I wasn't even sure I'd know one if I saw it.  Then in Portal, I saw the tiny flying skunk in the sky:)  And I knew I had found myself a new lifebird. 

And while all of this was going on up in the canopy of the trees, I was watching the sidelines. Lots of fun action happening from previous birds I had already seen.....but they're still cool to watch:)

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Most interesting was the display that the Blue-throats were putting on around the property. 

And here we see some fancy flight work going on.   While I was having a conversation with one of the owners, I was taking pictures:)  Fascinating stuff here.

This Blue-throat looks like a young one as he was a smaller male compared to the rest.

The difficult part about the warbler invasion came from the huge variety of warblers that were out there.  And I know I missed a lot more.  But I did witness my last lifebird below.  Not only was my stay at the Bed and Breakfast relaxing; it was also rewarding.  It truly was a birding oasis and that's what I love about these places.  When you're not hiking, you can still relax in a rocking chair with a cup of coffee and watch birds.  More tomorrow....

Townsend's Warbler