The Every Day

Rawson's Metalmark

So much routine and stress!  During the week, I do the same thing over and over. This, of course, is added with the wedding stuff, my crazy neighbor, and paying bills!  Somehow, I know I'll get through it all, but for now, I look forward to going to bed and sleeping every night.  The weekend usually arrives and my energy is completely zapped.  By Sunday, I have a little energy return for a little birding close to home.

A Greater Roadrunner overlooks the canyon

I hate those days as well because they fly by so quickly and I wish I had more time to play outside!

Bell's Vireo

SO I spent several hours planning for this 3 day holiday weekend.  I had planned on going up to the cooler rainy town of Greer to do some birding.  I had my tent ready to go but by the time we would  have arrived there on Friday, all the non-reservable campsites would have be gone!

juvi Rock Squirrel

So.....I needed to come up with a Plan B.  And it had to be cool! Next weekend, I'll show you where we went:)

So in my moments of solitude, I just dream of expeditions near and far.

Then a magical moment happened this past week.  I'm so familiar with everything around me that my eyes gravitate towards the unusual.  In my neighborhood that I've been a part of now for 8 years in midtown Tucson, I discover Javelina just a block away from our place!!!!!!!

I'm usually up early and the first one on the road on my way to work each day.  Of course, I didn't have my great camera with me but I am thankful that I had my cell phone.  I pulled over and watched my day begin with java and javelinas. What a great way to start the day!  Such an unexpected sighting for this part of town.

After they leave, I put my car into drive and begin my 45 minute trek across town towards work.

A Dabbling Duck

Mexican Spotted Owl

There a bird.  Here a bird.  Everywhere birds.  An electronic list is sent to me daily about the birds seen around the state of Arizona. I have begun getting lists from Mexico so that I can study the strange new names.  Some are still familiar.

Red-naped Sapsucker

Over the past week, I've done some really sporadic things around Southern Arizona.  I went to find a Spotted Owl in town. 

Then it was off to help out at the Wings Over Willcox festival.  I hung out at a booth with the Mexican ranch crew(the ones that track the Jaguars).  We had a lot of wonderful people stop by including a certain bear:)

Wings Over Willcox

On Sunday, we took a trip down to the border region grasslands where we had a nice time around Peña Blanca Lake, Kino Springs and the Cienegas Grasslands near Empire Ranch.

Rock Wren

I'm in a strange place right now with birding.  It has been a lot of fun watching new birders get excited about the birds here in Arizona. To be honest, it's been a lot of fun helping people find the birds.  At home, I read up on birds.  If there's a documentary on birds, I'll watch it. 

So there are some birds I like more than others. I think that it's this way for many people.  The only bird I really wanted to see on our day out was the White-tailed Kite.  The sun was setting while we watched this beautiful kite for a half hour.  I think it has to be one of the most elegant and graceful birds out there.  The pic below was my favorite.  There are three layers to this photo.  The setting sun.  The gold colors of the grasses. And the silhouette of the kite landing.  Perfection.

White-tailed Kite lands

We hiked for a bit around several areas finding all of our wrens for the day.  At Kino Springs, we stopped for the Black-bellied Whistling ducks.  I snapped a shot even though the lighting was all wrong.  The birds came up rare on my report and I needed to document them.  It was strange because I've seen 4 or 5 of them together this time of year, but not 26!  So I snapped a photo just to be on the safe side.  

Peña Blanca Lake

Anyhow, I've been a dabbling duck.  I go there. Stay here. It doesn't matter.

Verdin

I focus on getting better pictures of birds that have poor photo documentation. For example, I've seen the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher many times and yet I didn't have a very good picture of one.  I've come to enjoy watching the various gnatcatchers over the past couple years. To the untrained eye, they all look the same, but they are definitely different birds:)  And it's noticing the subtleties that make birding fun and worthwhile. 

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

So right now, I will continue to dabble in various projects until the bigger trips arrive. 

Canyon Wren, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, White-tailed Kite and Rock Wren

Peña Blanca Lake

Northern Cardinal

Before my trip, I got a little crazy with my time off.  The power of finding the next bird is overwhelming sometimes.  I'm addicted.  Free time=time to bird and hike.

Rock Wren

But there are limitations and sacrifices.  Sleep is one of them.  Heat is the other.  It is super dangerous to go to these canyons or desert areas alone.  Many times, I lose wifi service including my ability to call for back up.  To avoid the heat, I will get up at 4 AM in the morning and get on the road by the time the sun rises.  The birds now call before sun and they are only really active during these first few hours of decent temps.

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

I did have a bit of anxiety on this day.  When there is too much going on, I tend to get antsy.  Do I shop for my trip?  Or do I bird and try to get new species on my list?  The latter question wins and I'm on the road. I absolutely hate shopping of any kind.  So I try to go when people are busy.  It's really a lot like birding.  The earlier you go; the less of a crowd you'll have to deal with:)

Ash-throated Flycatcher

On this day, I had my information all screwed up.  I went to film Canyon Wrens.  I've seen them before but I don't have any great ID shots of them. And again on this day, there were two flying around a rock cliff, but there aren't any photos.  I'm beginning to think there is a conspiracy going on!

Cinnamon Teal photo bombed by a mystery bird

So I went to Peña Blanca Lake.  Alone.  I had been looking for a Least Tern.  So I looked around the lake where terns tend to fly and perch.  I listened for the birds because I know their calls.  And I wasn't hearing anything.

Barn Swallow-not a great pic but I like the outline

By this point, the temps had reached into the mid-90's.  I went into a shaded area and didn't stray too far.  I had limited water.  I forgot to take the water out of Pat's car and put it into mine!  I only realized the fact after I got to my destination.  I went to the public bathroom area to see if I could spot a water fountain, etc but there wasn't anything.  So then I located the few people fishing around the lake in case I needed to call on their help.  This is how my mind works.  I don't care what anyone says, but Arizona can be a dangerous place to bird.  If it's not the heat or the illegal activity around the border, it's the chiggers, monsoon floods, lightning, etc.  Summer is a time to be very very careful here.  Just recently a 21 year old died from heat exhaustion.  He wasn't the first victim nor will he be the last.  We have wonderful and incredible things to see here that will make you fall in love with our state, but be careful during our monsoons and always bring plenty of water with you.  Forget the suntan.  You'll get it whether you like it or not:)

I did have water with me, but I always like having more.  I'm a big guy who drinks more than the average person. Wisconsinites, in general, sweat a lot.  People say it's good to sweat, but I think it to be a pain sometimes.  Our genes overdo it!  Most of us prefer breezes and cool air. Don't ask me why, but that statement is generally true for most of my kind back home:)  Maybe it is for you as well?  And therefore, I must always make sure I bring enough water on these epic treks.  The birds are always incredible.

So back to lack of preparation.  I searched for a Least Tern.  There were none.  I went into the public restroom searching for the reported nesting Canyon Wrens.  They weren't there, but a Barn Swallow shot out from the toilet area and scared me half to death. Maybe I should have knocked?  On my way back to the car, I noticed a Grebe floating around the waters that wasn't a Pied-bill Grebe.  I took shots to study back in my cool and comfortable dining room.  I was sipping my coffee when I finally was able to examine the shot below.  It was one of those "ah-ha!" moments.  For it was not a Least Tern I should have been looking for......but a Least GREBE!  I then went over my other photos and began to laugh.  The bird was present in nearly all of them as if to say, "Hey idiot, LOOK at me! I'm right here.  I'm the one you want!"

Least Grebe

But I was distracted by other birds.  Today I present two happy shots.  One, the Least Grebe, is lifebird 337 for me. And the other is below.  Finally!  The Warbling Vireo has been a difficult one to get shots of, but it was just in reach of my camera lens and that made me smile.  There was a nest and the parents were feeding them. It's a very quick and tiny bird!

Warbling Vireo

Peña Blanca Lake is a real treat to hike and bird.  I pulled out some fish wire from the water though.  I was very upset by some people's lack of respect towards the wildlife in the area.  I nearly cut myself on the fish line, but I got it all out of the water.  Someone used a water bottle as a way to fish from the lake.  It was a makeshift fishing rod which leads me to believe that these may have been illegals crossing through the desert for some food.  Our wildfire season will be coming to an end with the onset of the monsoon rains.  Several fires every year are caused by illegal activity along the border(and also from cigarette butts thrown out of the car).   Whether it is drug trafficking or from people entering the US for work, they have caused some of the worst environmental pollution in our deserts.  Trash is left behind.  Fires are not completely put out causing the wildfires. This last bit is also caused by campers or recreational day users who ignore the rules concerning grilling out.  This year I grieve for the 19 firefighters who have lost their lives near Yarnell. One of the biggest tragedies that come to my mind in recent years.  And safety is a concern, especially early in the morning or late at night, when a lot of birding is done. The lake is situated near the international border between Mexico and the US.  Lock your doors, but also have fun.  And if you can, bring a buddy with you. Please have a safe and happy 4th of July everyone.  And if you're in Arizona be careful with those fireworks.   More to come.....

Nemesis

Merlin

The post name says it all.  Birders use a lingo phrase known as "Nemesis bird". "What is it?", you may ask? Well it's a bird that for some reason or another "hides" or evades our own birder radar.  And yet, others will see it everywhere, often, or sometimes while the poor one singular birder(that would be moi) won't see it at all! Every birder has their own "Nemesis" bird. On our hunt for birds this month, I hoped to find my own Nemesis bird....the Merlin.

Ferruginous Hawk

Now the problem with my Nemesis bird is that it is surrounded by similar looking birds.  I would get excited if some new behavior was observed and think....."Is that it?"  I had several false moments of excitement that turned quickly into disappointment as I realized I had been looking at a Juvi Cooper's Hawk or Sharpie(Sharp-shinned Hawk)!  So I thought I'd share with you several of those moments. .

Cooper's Hawk(Juvenile)

A Merlin is a small bird that has a few markings that are similar to falcons and the smaller hawks.  I saw the Cooper's Hawk in the river and thought.....maybe?  But it turned out to be too large and the markings weren't right.  At all.  In fact, now that I've actually observed the Merlin, I can tell you that the flight patterns are very different.  The Cooper's flies low.  When I saw the Coopers take off, I knew immediately that I wasn't dealing with a Merlin.  Bummer. Meanwhile reports were coming in....Merlins everywhere!  Everywhere?  Really? Then pictures would follow and I'd sigh....

Peregrine Falcon

Off in the distance, I see dark markings and a face mask.  But it was too large and the markings were too dark and different. But still.....a Peregrine(above).  A very nice find.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Quick movement or no movement at all made me suspicious.  I always imagine where I'll find a new bird. There's never "if" in my vocab. But I will say this.  It's always unexpected!

The American Kestrel is an easy bird to ID, but if you're new to birding and haven't done much observation on these various birds, it can be difficult.  The Kestrel is the smallest(and most colorful).  But as you can imagine, when something flies over my head quickly, I have to do a quick snap with the camera and then observe behaviors.

Prairie Falcon(thank you Jeff for the ID correction!)

I don't take anything for granted and I stop at every location just so I can find my Nemesis bird.

Cooper's Hawk

I go to the places where it was reported.  Instead of finding the Merlin in the spot it should be; I find a Sharpie.

American Kestrel

Or a Cooper's, Kestrel.......

The big hawks, like Red-tail or Ferruginous, grab my attention because they are such incredible birds. But then something unexpected would happen.

Red-tail Hawk

On an outing with Kathie after a day of birding(we had called it quits), she noticed a strange bird high high up in the trees.  We were driving quickly as the sun was setting......so how she spotted this Merlin is beyond me!  But she did and said in her excited tone, "Oh my gosh Chris, I think it's a Merlin." Merlin whisperer, I thought. After so many attempts, I was like, "Yeah right."  We stopped the car and I looked closely.  I had gotten my hopes up so many times before.  What if this was another Sharpie or Coopers looking different because of the sun angle?  But I saw the marks and cautiously became excited.  And I observed and observed and observed.

Solitary. Dark underwing.  Angular pointed wing.  Flight very different. Short and quick wing flaps. Wingtips do not reach tail tip.  And very weak mustache.

And then I knew.  It was the Merlin. One cannot go on tail alone.  Even though it's "square", the Sharpie has the same feature. So that's not always a reliable field mark.  This bird is difficult here because it is lighter in color than it's much darker Pacific siblings. To celebrate, we headed to Peña Blanca lake to end the day!

So now I have to find a new Nemesis, but I'd much rather not:)  If it's one thing that birding has taught me this past year, it's that it's better with friends who help one another and work as a team.  There is no time to focus on the negative anymore.  Life is short.  Keep away from the bad energy and just let things unfold as they do.  I am a completely different person than I was when I first began this journey.  And because of it, I'm finding a renaissance happening in my own life.  With all of this comes a singular and powerful focus that I haven't felt in years.  I'm not just seeing birds anymore; I'm seeing animals and other critters.  And it's my job to keep their secrets safe, but I'll snap a pic first:)  More soon.....