Whispering To Birds

Costa's Hummingbird

No matter where I go now, I see birds.  And they see me.  The magical part is that they don't run(or fly) anymore.  We just stare at each other.  In a two part write, I'll share some of the strange things happening to me while out in the field during my observations.

Northern Mockingbird

Learning a new language can be difficult for many people.  But for me, it's fun and easy.  That's why I teach it to kids and adults. It's what I do and it's what pays the bills.  But I never considered speaking "bird" or "animal" a real thing.  And yet.....

Bewick's Wren

I have been able to interpret calls, replicate some basic bird "pishes", and observe behaviors.  My voice, at first, only attracted Ruby-crowned Kinglets, but now I'm finding Wrens respond to me.  And finally, after many attempts, I was able to capture the Bewick's Wren perfectly on this branch.  And we sat looking at each other for several minutes, curious about the other.  I thought it was so cool.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

I watch people interact with wildlife.  Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are quite humorous.  Two people walked too close to them and the ducks decided to attack the guy's feet.  And yet, when I was in their area, I was able to note that there was an imaginary border between us.  If I moved too close, the alpha duck moved closer.  It was fascinating!

As the swallows return to Southern Arizona, I am learning how to stand still and observe the swallows fly near me!

Hummingbirds are curious birds.  They are like the Chihuahuan dogs of the bird world. They are not afraid of anyone or anything.  To call a hummer out, wear bright colors on your shirts like reds or oranges.  Maybe pull out that old Hawaiian shirt from the closet.  If you feed hummers at your home and they've come to know you, they'll sit and wait for you to begin your morning.  And if you forget to feed them, they'll hover in front of your dining room window and remind you:)  Sometimes they'll feed right out of your hand.  Talk about cool!  Here is a post from my blogger friend Kelly.  She took a video of her buddy Homer.

And I expect as I learn more, my language ability will increase.  I've watched birders call before....and I laughed, but now I don't think it's so funny at all.  It's a real thing and some people can do incredible things with their voices!

So as time flies by, as it does, I will become a sponge and pick up as much as I can.  I don't know everything and never will.  And that's how I go about birding.  There's so much to learn.

Neo-tropic Cormorant

Sometimes, I'll take a lunch break.....

......and "poof".  A Hermit Thrush pops out of nowhere and stares at me eating ice cream.

Hermit Thrush

As I get up early, I walk to my feeders, and discover a hummingbird looking down at me......reminding me to get my butt moving.  They are the first to eat in the morning (as are the Curve-billed Thrashers).

I am dedicated and will learn the ways of the "force".  And so now I leave you in silence to enjoy the various birds from my walks around sunny Arizona. Remember to tread lightly:)

Female Northern Cardinal

Western Tanager

Broad-tail Hummingbird

White-winged Dove

Common Raven next to a Red-tail Hawk

Female Common Merganser(Northern Shoveler on the left)

Inca Dove

A Birder's Holiday Tree

Happy Holidays!  May you have a safe and wonderful time with your family and friends.  

 Imagine if birds were a holiday tree.  You'd need to put up the lights and make sure every color would be represented.  The rule?  Use only the birds found in your area.   Here is what my bird tree would look like.......

I'd include all my pinks, blues, yellows, and reds......

......and there would be varying colors and shades of the same colors.

And what about that glowing angel on top of the tree?  I think I found one below:)

The simple truth is that there are too many choices that .....

....sparkle, glow and shine!

    I was only getting warmed up this past year.  But the new year will explode with new discoveries!

But there are just too many choices for one tree and I have 5 cats so......

I think that this may be a bad idea:)

All the shots were taken over this past year and were exciting finds. What would your bird holiday tree look like? 

Vanishing Into Nature

"Hey you! Yeah you between the trees....."

Painted Redstart

                                                                     "in the trees....."

Northern Cardinal

                                                     "flying between the trees....."

"clinging onto the trees....."

Red Naped Sapsucker

"thinking about leaving the tree......"

                                                 "peeking beyond the branches....."

"I know you're there. You can no longer hide from me. Especially when red is your color:)"

Summer Tanager

"And while they aren't perfect shots, they are proof you existed and that I saw you.  You glorious creatures."
And like everything in nature, it all vanishes away.

Taken this past Sunday morning from El Presidio Gardens.  Personally I like my Arizona skies blue;)

Perching Birds

Perch
1.A thing on which a bird alights or roosts, typically a branch or a horizontal rod or bar in a birdcage.

I thought these were beautiful shots from my outing at the Tucson Botanical Gardens.  All of these shots were taken on their grounds during a recent visit. My focus today is on 3 truly beautiful birds that can be seen during our warm summers.  The Northern Cardinal, the Brown Crested Flycatcher(brown and yellow coloring), and what appears to be a Male Juvenile Anna's Hummingbird.  Note the patches of color beginning to patch around the throat and the white eyebrow.

The real treat of course is capturing the Brown Crested Flycatcher.  They are migratory birds here and will hang around until the heat disappears and then they head back down to Mexico for the winter.

And during this time of year, the Juvenile hummingbirds are out and about.  If you visit the gardens, keep your eyes not only on the plants but the wildlife associated with them.  It's always a real treat to see wildlife come and visit something you helped create.  Hope you enjoy this series of pics and more tomorrow.....