The Usual Suspects

Broad Billed Hummingbird

One of the things I try to be while I blog is honest.  It's important to be truthful about the experience and I gotta tell you all......today was just meh!  Oh I'm sure the photos will do, but I try to push myself on every outing....and on every outing, I've always come home happy.  But today....on this very hot hot day.....I didn't get anything new.  (Written on June 2nd)

Magnificent Hummingbird

To make matters worse, my allergies were terrible.  There was a huge fire coming coming in from New Mexico that created this terrible haze.  I don't know how I will bird in this heat.  I made time for it and could only sqeeze in a couple hours looking for the Lucifer Hummingbird!  He eludes me still.

It's not to say that I didn't see a lot of wildlife because I did achieve this objective.  But I missed the Blue Grosbeak which would have been a first for me and this blog.  Ugh!!!  I saw it but wasn't quick enough with my camera!

Acorn Woodpecker

I think what I need most is a break from the desert heat until monsoon comes.  It really isn't nice at all to do.  Hats off to the people who get up super early to snap shots of all those amazing birds. I'll do more of it when July hits again.  The humidity is of course terrible during that time but there is always hope for much needed rain everyday.

Black Chinned Hummingbird

Maybe it's frustration I want to convey on this post.  People always wonder what we desert rats do during the summer and the answer is.....stay indoors during the afternoon like people do during the winter in the colder regions.  Evenings are great, but I'm out watering plants.  Mornings are great but I'm usually sleeping:)

But you also gotta feel for the birds around the area.  Our hummingbird feeders are attacked regularly by the large and heavy woodpeckers.  They are very awkward looking as they hang and swing from the feeders.  Let me just say that they spill lots!!!  Their "tongue" is similiar to that of a hummingbird and therefore love to visit our feeders as well.  Today in the canyon it was 98 degrees!!!  I had plenty of water but still.....

I wore my hat and hid in the shade as much as I could.  There is a lot to see if you can withstand the temps.  It reminded me of Panama last summer but with all the humidity involved!!!  So much wildlife out and about at all times of the days around the canyon areas.  In the desert, you'll find it very very quiet during the afternoon unless you are looking for lizards.

So it's great to go to cooler locals if it's possible.   The problem is that some of them are 45 minutes to an hour away.  For example, heading up to Mt. Lemmon is ideal, but the trip will take you an 1 and some minutes to rise the 20 some odd miles to the top.  Or if you are heading to Carr Canyon, the dirt roads can be difficult to navigate if you have a regular car like I do.  Good tires are the key:) More tomorrow...


Gerbera Daisy

Sit Down and Bird!

One Saturday, I headed down to Madera Canyon in search of the Elf Owls reported near the Santa Rita lodge.  I didn't find the owls, but I did see lots of wild bird action going on.....and what was everyone looking at?

Scrub Jay

Could it be the birdseed on the ground?

A dragon eating a noisy dog or child in the woods?

Or were the birds staring at the people staring at them?

The moon over the canyon was perhaps the best sign of something special happening.

But this Acorn Woodpecker could care less.  He was on the feeder getting his fill. 

This Black Headed Grosbeak could care less as well.

Western Bluebird  Lazuli Bunting(thank you Laurence !) So I did see one afterall:)

Well it turns out several of the male Wild Turkeys(or Toms) were putting on a show for the females and everyone was getting a fantastic show.  That's what I love about the shoots.....you never know what is going to happen.  So I didn't get the Elf Owls, but I did get some fancy turkey moves:)

By the way, the best part about all of this was that you could sit and bird at the Santa Rita Lodge.  I've never really seen this before but the lodge has an amazing area for birders to enjoy Madera Canyon's gems.....However, it's all about the exercise as well.  So I parked my car on the bottom on the canyon and walked up the hill.  I don't mind sitting and birding but there has to be some work out involved....otherwise it's what I call cheating:)

Pecking Around (Woodpecker Style)

Acorn Woodpecker

Somedays, you just have to go with the flow.  Whatever Mother Nature presents; she presents....sometimes in abundance.  Today it was the entire Woodpecker population.....so I went with it.  There are many more out there, but here are the 3 common ones you'll find around Tucson, Madera Canyon, and Southern Arizona.

Arizona Woodpecker

Each one has unique markings. The Arizona Woodpecker was found off on the trails around Madera Canyon.  They worked in pairs of two and generally had a group of them in the same area on different trees. They tended to be more "shy".

The Acorn Woodpecker(above) was more "aggressive" and "independent".  I would usually see just one here and there.....but they were also everywhere and could be pushy sometimes with other birds:)

Look closely at the pic and you'll see two of them on the tree.  All woodpeckers like to listen to the tree and that's fun to watch.

I silently walk the trail and hear the "tap tap"....

I think it's a woodpecker but a party of Jays fly outta nowhere.  One leads the way and watches guard as the others settle into their areas.

I home in on the "tap tap" and find this Arizona Woodpecker(above) on the Arizona Madrone.

But that doesn't stop others from going onto the other various trees around the Madera Canyon area.

I listen and listen.  I hear a rustling in the leaves.  Is it another bird?  A new one I have not discovered?

No.  Just one of the many squirrels looking for food on the ground or in the trees.

The entire day I hike and all I see are woodpeckers......

.....eventually I leave the park after a nice 2 hour hike.

Gila Woodpecker

I arrive home and hear a "tap tap" on my Oak Tree.  I begin to laugh because I get the message.  Today was meant to be about Woodpeckers.  I just hadn't planned on it being about Woodpeckers.

I think this particular Gila Woodpecker has my favorite markings of the 3 woodpeckers presented today.  They're all very cool to watch and have around.  They aren't like the Green ones I've seen elsewhere but they are all fascinating.  What's your favorite of the 3 presented?  Acorn?  Arizona? or Gila?

Gila Woodpecker

And here is yet another common Woodpecker in Southern Arizona....the Ladderback Woodpecker!

So I lied...that's 4!  More tomorrow...:)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Pics taken in Madera Canyon, Arizona.  I hope those of you in the states have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends.  We're actually having dinner at a friend's house here in Tucson.  It's an annual event with lots of friends that come each year to celebrate together. 

This year is a bit different because one of our annual members won't be showing up.  We're going to miss you Keith....but you'll be there in spirit.

After our turkey feasting, we go for a walk around the neighborhood to burn some of that meal off.  Hope your holidays are festive and fun!!!