An Arizona Autumn

After Mexico, we hopped into our car and drove to Pinetop in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona. Autumn has arrived. 

It's great to get outside and really BE outside. 

American Dipper gets a little breakfast

We hiked around the Greer area and saw lots of beautiful things. 

There is something very wonderful about fall. Maybe it's the fresh air.  Maybe it's about standing in one spot and enjoying the observations a little longer than usual.  Or maybe it's the hot sweet potato soup that is served at a local restaurant. 

Red Crossbill-this is the female AND she is yellow:)

Whatever it is, autumn is pretty awesome.

Red-naped Sapsucker

During the weekend, we hit all my favorite hotspots and counted birds.

Mountain Chickadee

We checked up on Payson's local resident, the Bald Eagle.  I've been wondering if this bird will ever pair up.  Ever since the severe drought of 2012, this bird has hung around the local watering holes.  I interviewed several residents who told me that the bird still continues "the single life".

Bald Eagle

After an intensely hot summer, I am so happy that the cooler temps have arrived again. 

There is so much to look forward to. Until next time......

The White Mountains Speak!

Clark's Nutcracker

Exhausted, but wanting one last go of it before work started up again, we escaped the heat of the desert and headed up to Greer for some lazy birding.  It was a fast three days.  

Nine Pine Motel in Pinetop-Lakeside

I discovered on this trip that it wasn't birds we needed to see; it was about rest and SLEEP!  The word "STAYCATION" comes to mind.  A "Staycation" is when you go somewhere close to your home and vacation/rest. While we were up in the resort town of Pinetop, I slept so well in our log cabin!  We both had a deep and sound sleep for two nights!  Sometimes, you have to do what the body needs.  And apparently, it was rest that we both needed. 

Golden-crowned Kinglet

The drive from Tucson is a long one so the word "Staycation" is loosely used.  Thankfully it's mostly a scenic 4 hour drive through some epic Arizona landscape!

migrating Calliope Hummingbird

Now we didn't sleep the entire weekend away.  We did actually do some hiking before the storm clouds arrived.  We had a beautiful hike on a trail near Sheep's Crossing. 

the West Baldy Trail-can you see the Great Blue Heron on top?

During our hike, I felt the last of my birding energy disappear.  It was difficult to accept, but I hit the wall. No más!  Hopefully it will come back.  Looking back at posts during this time period, I always feel exhausted by the month of August.  

Quite honestly, it scares me to have these feelings.  Everyone needs to take a break, right?  The White Mountains were exactly what I needed to help put things into perspective. I've been on the road for most of the summer and it's time to slow down now.

Lincoln's Sparrow

As we walked the trails, I began to understand what it was that I was feeling. Frustration. Anxiety. And loss of my focus. I've forgotten how to "just be".  For many people that is a scary concept as they need a plan.  For me, it's the thing I like most about myself.  I go to a place with an idea and play with it.  I find that when I do this, it usually wields better results. I don't mind getting lost and discovering something not on the agenda. As I've gotten into birding more, I've really enjoyed the company of some wonderful friends, but we have such a tight agenda that it doesn't always allow for certain freedoms. The birding world can be a serious one! So it's time for me to open up the larger playing field and explore. And it's okay to admit that to myself. What do I miss?  The random stuff that happens when I don't have a fixed plan. 

A stock photo from my trek to Valparaiso, Chile back in the 90's.  BB(Before Birding)

Like walking into an old sailor's inn with a man playing an accordion to a crowd of people in Valparaiso, Chile.  It wasn't planned and it was that spontaneous moment that I will remember for my entire life. And the meal was excellent! Or the time I passed several gypsies on the road near Las Ramblas in Barcelona discovering the best tasting sangrías in a vampire bar. Or drinking cheap Portuguese wine at the ancient canons of the "plato" in Cape Verde with my friends as we looked out towards the moonlit ocean. Little did I know that this would be the end chapter of my youth. And my list goes on and on.....and I'm beginning to stray from my point:) When you follow other tour group agendas, you tend to find more birds but miss out on the flavor of the culture.  I LOVE BIRDS, but I love the cultural aspect as well.  Without the culture, it's kinda like eating a bland piece of chicken. Every birder has this gypsy side that they must exercise from time to time.

 People check off lists and then talk about the next bird they need to check off their list.  They speak ABA crazy nonsense. I wasn't careful and I got sucked into the "game". I have been so caught up with all the Arizona birding politics and games that I've forgotten my true purpose.  To seek out new birds.  An attempt at the 10,000 life bird promise.  All this other stuff has stressed me out.  Birding isn't supposed to stress a person out. And my inner gypsy is starting to emerge again:)  It's almost time to let Arizona go.

American Dipper

We watched the American Dipper weave in and out of the water.  As I watched this amazing bird, I thought about all the other dippers I have yet to see. What was I doing back here again?  Ah, that's right....trying to find an American Three-toed Woodpecker and Dusky Grouse! My new nemesis birds:)

Woodland Lake Park in Pinetop-Lakeside

We spied a family of Lewis's Woodpeckers and it was wonderful.  I've seen this bird so many times and it was once again spectacular seeing them up close. 

We got into our car afterwards and just drove through the forest with our windows down. I couldn't really articulate to Micheal how I was feeling.  I just wanted to be alone and figure it all out on my own.  I read reports about birders in Costa Rica and on the Andes Mountains.....and on far away pelagics.  And my mind wandered.  Why should I spend money and revisit the same birds I've already seen so many times? I think it's because I love them.

When I began birding with my friend Kathie Brown, it was simple.  I was no one. As I began to bird more, I discovered this hunger for more knowledge, more study, and more travel. And with it, I became part of the birding community.  I do love my "peeps" and I am so glad to have been adopted into this larger community of birders. 

juvenile Lewis's Woodpecker

BUT! There is constant conflict within me.  Work within the area I live or save the money for the bigger and larger treks. I am not doing any type of big year, but I do like challenging myself.  Can I find this bird again? etc etc. And yet there are birds I won't chase unless a visitor from out of town needs to see them.  Take for example, the LeConte's Thrasher.  It's a beautiful bird in the ugliest landscape possible.  I've seen the bird and don't need to return ever again. And I haven't:) I think a lot of birders reach this point in their lives. But how do we evolve into this next chapter?

Juvenile American Crow

I had so many deep thoughts during this weekend. And while it was rewarding, it was also good to get away with my other half and do some thinking. The White Mountains are fantastic.  They have a whole set of birds that can only be found in that area. Many were new birds for the year and it was nice seeing them again.  Even better?  The cooler temps!

As I chronicle my life journey into birding, I am finding that there are indeed "ups and downs" when it comes to finding birds.  I am currently at a "low" point, but I'm sure as the weather cools down, I'll be back on track again.  I can't believe I'm writing this but I'm happy that work is starting up again.  It'll keep my mind busy with other matters and allow me to take a break from the birding.  And recharge my batteries:) I'm also working on other "birdy" projects which I'm excited to present within the next several months. It's a first for the state and once again, I can thank my teaching background for the inspiration behind the project. When I hit a wall, I'll invent something interesting to keep challenging myself. For now, I've made my name disappear from these silly Top 100 lists. For now, it's all about sound and thoughtful birding. The way it USED to be! I've added an additional job to help fund my next treks for the winter, spring and summer seasons. It should be fun. Some hard work with some hard play! For now, it's taking it slow. Until next time....

This write is in memory of Dr. George West who monitored the Greer and Pinetop-Lakeside areas.  In fact, he was still alive during the time of trip.

Standing at the Crossroads

Kathie searches for life over the Greer Lakes

What's more beautiful than the birds we seek?  Well, I can think of three things......the people, experiences and the landscapes.  I find myself in a very strange position now.  While discovering birds, I am not truly paying attention to those other three elements.

Rufous Hummingbird

For me, it has been about discovering lifebirds. I am truly a chaser, explorer and photographer at heart. Do I enjoy it all?  Or is it just about finding the lifebirds?  I actually do enjoy the birding part very much when I know there's a target bird in the area.  For a relaxing bird outing, I plan a walk every week to a local area and just count birds for fun. But with all other outings, there is a plan.

Abert's Squirrel

Lifebirds require time and money now.  It's an investment and dipping is not an option:)  Over the course of the year, I've scheduled more out of state adventures PLUS another jaunt to Northern Arizona.  My two years in Arizona have been very rewarding but this hunger is not satisfied.  I want to know more and I want to see more.  Perhaps with time and age, this will die down a bit.

Butler Canyon Trail

On this beautiful trip to the White Mountains, we saw so many wonderful birds.  However, weather was not on our side.  It had been a fantastic run this entire summer and finally, the weather caught up with us and downpoured during our second day in Greer.

Common Raven

What is my personal desire behind this sacred quest of birding?  Simply to know more.  I'm not trying to do a big year in AZ, the US or the world. So then what's the compulsion?  It's the detective work behind the birds and the places they are found.  Take the terrible CSI shows on TV and apply them to real life and it's exciting.  Instead of who killed________(fill in the blank with outrageous character name), it's.......where in the world is___________(fill in the blank with cool living bird name).  It then becomes a game and a challenge.  And in the process a valuable learning experience.

Lewis's Woodpecker

I had studied our target birds for this particular trip around Pinetop-Lakeside and the Greer areas.  I always write down their primary locations seen while gathering other documented sources like the bird calls, habitats found and personal accounts.

Sometimes, like on this trip to the White Mountains, I just wish I had more time.  But don't we all feel that way about certain things?  It always feels rushed.  Like with my friend Gordon and crew a couple weekends ago.......

We all spent a weekend together birding and I remember that we began on Saturday morning. We had the WHOLE weekend! But when we looked at our clocks, everyone was shocked by how fast the time had passed. The next thing we knew, it was Sunday and time to go home!  How can I compare this experience?  Well I suppose it's a lot like a torrid love affair or new relationship.  Every exciting waking moment is spent with this unknown person and it's intoxicating. It's a period that seems to speed up time making one hour blur into the next.  The participants experience this cloud nine phase:) But the big question for myself is, "Am I in the honeymoon phase of birding?" If so, two years is awfully a long time to experience this feeling of absolute happiness.  So back to the story of our  extreme birder group. When we stop our observations, we'll look at our clocks and say, "What??!!!  We've been doing this for 2 hours??!!!"  Yes. Our stomachs grumble. And then hunger becomes a molestation.  It's a required necessity forcing us to waste time eating when we could be searching for birds. To combat that frustration, we'll eat outside or near hummingbird feeders to justify our human limitations.

Over rolling hills and fields of flowers we roam, searching for those elusive birds.

We carefully inspect the flowers that hummingbirds so love.  Maybe I'll finally get a picture of a male Calliope feeding.  Instead,I observe a brilliant Rufous Male feeding from these wildflowers above and below.

The clouds begin to roll in and Kathie spots the Clark's Nutcracker while I'm observing American Robins on the same tree!

Clark's Nutcracker

Another lifebird is found!  But the clouds would roll in and foil the rest of our plans.  All the research that I had done was for nothing.  Well not for "nothing" for it is now in my mind.  Several birders have said to me, "Slow down."  And yet they continue to chase many rare birds as well.  Time does not wait for any of us.  I am in constant battle with myself to do better, to see better, hear better and to know more. When I'm not birding, I'm reading, writing or researching information.  This is what a chaser/birder does. And while I'm not a twitcher, I still feel a strong pull to explore even when I'm not able.

This blog is about the personal experiences behind the birds.  As a younger Ken Kaufman wrote from his book Kingbird Highway, "The most important bird was always the next one, not this one"  And while that sounds terrible, it's true of chasers and twitchers.  For me, there is no escaping this feeling.  As I am reading more about people's personal accounts on birding, I feel a bit relieved that it's not just me that goes through this internal struggle of balancing it all out.

Gray-collared Chipmunk

I have spent my whole life missing the details!  I want to know more.  Every venture needs to count as exploration continues into the outer regions of Tucson and beyond.  So I stand at the crossroads.  The road becomes a much trickier place to navigate and the stakes are much higher.  More to come.....