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

Chasers

Great Blue Heron

There's a lot going on behind the scenes here at Las Aventuras.  Almost too much.  Sometimes I need to tell myself to take a break.....and it doesn't always work.  I do enjoy counting birds, but it's also extremely fun playing detective trying to find new ones.  So the "rare bird of the week" will dictate where we go birding sometimes.  And sometimes, it's the only reason we go.

Black Crowned Night Heron.  Isn't it funny how we aren't shy when there is food around?  This fisherman gave his little buddy a fish from the bucket. I'll have to remember that one:)

I love that Kathie will text me and say, "Chris I'm here at the recharge pond looking for the Common Loon." I plot my GPS tracker on my way home from work and move quickly(and safely) to her location to help search for the bird.

But on this day, I would be near her coordinates and called her to get a Western Grebe on her Pima list.  There was also a Gull spotted in the area but work interferred for the prime spotting during the AM hours.  However there was a chance the gull may have still been in the area.  Kathie and I met up searching....and searching.   While waiting for her, I scoped out the area for the Western Grebe.

It's important helping your birding partner out and I feel really bad if we don't both see the bird. Kathie tells me not to stress about it.  And I understand but still....  Two are better than one because we can spot, track, observe and work together to list those birds in the area.  As a photographer, I am looking for that rare shot.  The "shot" is below, but we both lie to each other.  "I've only got an hour to bird."  Of course the hour turns into two.  The sun tells us that it's time to call it quits:)

Gila Woodpeckers

I spot the Western Grebe for Kathie and she gets to put it on her list.  We saw the Common Loon and get to put that bird on our lists for Pima County.  Of course, it doesn't always work out as you'll see in the upcoming week.  Life and location can be difficult.  I find that I am planning my days better just so I can fit in birding.....I mean exercise......oh hell....BOTH!

Vermilian Flycatcher

The shadows of the sun setting would reveal several Western Bluebirds on this day.  And that was AWESOME!  Kathie's eye caught that one.

Western Bluebird

But what really got her curiosity was this flock of blackbirds.  Her challenge, "Were there Cowbirds in the group?"  We crept closer....and closer.....and closer.

Blackbirds

And I saw a human walking toward the blackbirds getting closer....and closer.....and closer.  I smiled and warned Kathie the birds were going to fly.  And the two shots of the blackbirds in flight below are my favorites from this outing.  Kathie got her observations in.....I got the shot....and we both were satisfied and thankful that we got the chance to observe them.

Of course this post wouldn't be complete without the bird we were chasing.  The Western Grebe is a nice looking bird.  I had already seen it, but Kathie didn't have it on her Pima list. We are a team.  I research the night before and report back to Kathie the locations birds were found.  Sometimes I go alone....and other times, like today, we get to hang out together and look for birds and wildlife.

Western Grebe

Every day is a new revelation.  Every outing has merit.  It's an exercise of the body and mind.

And if you look closely, you might encounter a new surprise hiding.  Another exciting find was this group of Lark Sparrows.  I am so lucky to have a wonderful friend.  Thank you Gaelyn for linking us up again after getting lost in the blogosphere.  The best part is that our spouses are cool with us birding.  Well our spouses are pretty cool as well.  I have so much to write.  So much to share....and not enough time!  We are doing a Christmas Bird Count and will be busy "training" with Rich Hoyer over the next several weekends. Las Aventuras will be heading to Bosque Del Apache and Colorado Springs very soon:)

Lark Sparrows

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.  All my best!  Until tomorrow.....

The rare Northern Parula in Tucson.  I found this bird alone at Ft. Lowell Park.  Not a great camera shot.  Chasing isn't about great photography but finding the bird:)