The Long Way Home

A very cooperative Crissal Thrasher in Prescott, AZ

Once the Lesser Sand Plover was seen, it was time to have fun and bird our way back down to Tucson.  This trek would take us to Prescott and then into Phoenix.  And along the way, we'd visit with wonderful friends Cynthia and Roger and Gordon and Chuck.  

Willow Lake in Prescott with Cynthia and Kathie

We spent a night in beautiful Prescott with Cynthia and Roger.  And it was here that Kathie was able to explore for the first time the beautiful Watson and Willow Lakes.  

Juvenile Gray Hawk at Sweetwater Wetlands

And along the way, we spotted so many wonderful birds.  Outside of Phoenix, Gordon took us to find Kathie's lifer Juniper Titmouse.  

Juniper Titmouse at Seven Springs

The heat was still killing my spirit, but we were all together and so we forgot about the melting ice in the cooler:)  Until we braked and my back felt a wonderful splash of ice cold water!  I don't know where the time went but it all flew by much too quickly!

Kathie at Bartlett Lake in Maricopa Country

We watched a Yellow-headed Blackbird casually stroll along the shore to Kathie's delight. 

Yellow-headed Blackbird at Bartlett Lake

Kathie was quickly reminded how hot it got in Arizona.  I think part of her missed Maine.  I understand that feeling. But the Arizona landscapes are way more picturesque.  Perhaps I am a bit bias:)

Gordon and Kathie search geographical locations to visit from Humbodlt Peak

To be honest.  Coming straight from Monterey, I had birded for a full week and it was showing.  My birding powers were waning. So I was grateful for Gordon and Cynthia taking over their lands and showing us their worlds.  Cynthia is from Yavapai country while Gordon represents Maricopa.  I am Pima. 

Townsend's Solitaire

Eventually, we made it back down to Tucson where we took it "slow" and birded locally.  Even then, we had lots of rare birds pop up on every one of our counts!

Black Vultures at Coachline "Lake" in Tucson

Quite honestly, I don't know where the time went, but we had a lot of fun.  Kathie noticed that I wasn't myself.  And she was correct.  I had wanted to bird for a full week during my fall break and we sure did bird. But I was tired!  From Monterey to Flagstaff to Prescott to Phoenix to Tucson!  During my first weekend alone, I slept!  What a wonderful and deep sleep it was!

One of 2 Wood Ducks reported at Reid Park in Tucson

 But our time was winding down and I was reminded that soon I'd be back to work. 

Celeste threw a party and we had a wonderful time saying good-bye to one another over several bottles of wine:)  It's hard saying good-bye.  I just hide it better than most.  Life revolves around birds for me BUT life is more than just the birds.  It's about the people and friendships that form because of the birds. 

By the end of the week, I felt like we had done an amazing job exploring the world of Arizona.  A special thank you to Celeste, Dom, Gordon, Chuck, Cynthia and Roger for one hell of a week. The Lesser Sand Plover trek lasted 4 days total and what an amazing trek it was!  Kathie, I miss you and love you.  Our next trek will be to Monhegan Island.  You will not get sea sick.  And maybe Gordon will join us?  For now, I am going to rest.  My body and mind are both exhausted.  Life is a wonderful adventure but I sure do need my sleep:)  Until next time.....

The Outer Edges

Pronghorn Sparring

The golden grasses covered the vast Chihuahuan desert lands of the west. Their tops flattened as the angry winds swept over the hillsides forcing their will upon the stillness that would otherwise be. It had the appearance of dominoes cascading one over the other. 

Sandía Crest

In the midst of this great landscape, a mountain arose higher than most. Known as Sandía Crest, the place appeared to be nothing more than a brown bump against the turquoise sky. Birds, known as Rosy-Finches, brought us to the city of Albuquerque.  It was here on the outer edges that humanity thrived and nestled at her base. It was the most populous of towns anywhere in the state. So many unknowns. What would we find? What secrets would be revealed?

Black Rosy-Finch

In my mind, I always thought the city stark.  Boring. Uninteresting. My ignorance exposed.  I know nothing.  The birds teach me to keep an open mind and explore.  The harsh frigid mornings freeze my face.  The scorching temps by afternoon teach me that layering is important.  But somehow I can't shake the inevitable runny nose or head cold inside of me. But the birds!  Oh the glorious birds!  They make me forget these minor irritations.

El Camino Family Restaurant in Socorro, NM

I sit in a diner and am reminded of my childhood.  Small town "Americana".  The real America that I thought extinct. It was the heart and soul that once thrived in many places of the US until corporations took over and created a bland uniformity.  I enter an old building with a friend and enjoy the delicious green chiles of New Mexico. There is chile in everything!  The locals come in and talk. Americana still exists! It makes me smile. A quiet older couple sits next to us. He wears a cowboy hat.  She wears a design I haven't seen in years.  She orders the baked pork chops.  He orders a chile relleno.  The waitress seems to know them and starts a conversation.  She asks how the older man is doing.  He mutters, "Barely alive."  His wife responds, "He always says that."  I drink my coffee and remember enjoying these special dinners with my grandparents from back home.  I miss them.

American Goldfinch-NOT COMMON in Southern Arizona

We walk canals, parks, and explore the mountain tops.....
I see birds that are found on the Eastern half of US, but I also see birds found on the Western half.  They somehow all coexist together in one place.   East meets West.  All of my preconceived notions shattered.  It happens often these days.  And it also excites me.  I begin to form my own opinion based on my own observations. 

Bosque Del Apache, NM

On this trip, we observe many things that disturb us. Trash litters Indian Reservation lands.  There are water holes barely full of water.  Some are completely dry. Yet people still find the need to water lawns in desert landscape. These are topics we discuss in great length while on our road trip.  Of course, we have the best solutions that make sense, but in reality, the answers are all very complicated.  

Juniper Titmouse

I walk with new friends.  They share their personal lives.  And I share mine. We face our own personal struggles, but when we come together, it's comforting.....like we are a family who understands one another.  Each different.  Each unique.  And I see the other side of humanity.....the side I love.  All the bad things that I experience everyday with the general public seems to vanish as we sit and converse happily about birds and other things. I sip my wine after a long day of birding and begin to doze off as the sun sets over the Sandía Crest mountains. It is all so comforting. I forget for these brief days that I have a job.  And I remember that I am alive. Happy. Content.

Western Meadowlark

This adventure is centered around finding the birds. But it's also more.  It's discovering and learning from our own experiences about what is out there.

Bosque Del Apache

Someone may write or tell us about what they've experienced, but our own experiences may reflect something different. I realize that it is my unique interaction with these places and people that makes each outing special.  While the facts are important, the art of birding is what speaks to me most.  My hunger and passion for it all intensifies. I want to know more.

Río Grande Nature Center "The Observation Room" I'd like one of these in my house:)

And this adventure continues....

My favorite photo from this series.  It shows the dedication and beauty that surrounds birding.  We searched for the American Dipper

A special thank you to Linda Rockwell for hosting both Gordon  and myself for a fantastic weekend of discovery. Your meals are wonderful!  And your breakfast burritos really hit the spot during our AM birding adventures:)  Thank you again!


I'm linking today with Wild Bird Wednesday