From Out of Nowhere

Northern Harrier

Whether it be with another birder like Kathie or alone, I sometimes think to myself that it won't be very "birdy" when I first arrive at my destination.   Thankfully, I have lots of experience to suggest that giving "it time" will be full of great reveals.

The Whitewater Draw

The scenery, of course, is gorgeous and can draw your attention away from the action.  But I listen carefully for bird sounds and wait.  A burst of bird energy will surface and then all birds will be up in the air at once!

Blackbirds

These Blackbirds for example came in droves by the hundreds and then quickly disappeared.  I snapped as many shots as I could get so that I could ID them at home.  The flocks were full of Yellow Headed Blackbirds and Red Wing Blackbirds.  But there were others mixed in as well:)

Yellow Headed Blackbirds in flight

And so on this day at the Whitewater Draw, I thought I may not get a new lifebird until a group of birds came at me from out of nowhere!  Finding lifebirds is incredibly exciting and when that moment happens, all I do is snap pictures with an incredible focus.  I don't necessarily know what they are specifically at first but I have my bird guide close by after the shoot to research.

Eared Grebes in flight

Today it would be birds from the "Grebe" family.  Were they Western or the Eared Grebe?  Great question.

Eared Grebes

The first thing I do is check the Whitewater Bird List and write down the Grebes reported in the area.  Then I open my bird book and study the pictures both in the bird guide and on my camera.

For these birds, it took the markings on the wings to help me ID.  These were the Eared Grebes.  I observed for about 40 minutes as they dove in and out of the water.  They were quite cute and "playful".

Afterwards, I felt satisfied leaving the area knowing I added a new bird to my list. Several birders from Vermont were looking at a bird up in the rafters.  The woman declared it was a Western Kingbird and argued strongly with her mates.

Is this a Say's Phoebe or Western Kingbird?  What say you?

The men stood their grounds and thought it was a Say's Phoebe.

Can you tell which bird this is?

Blackbirds

Red Winged Blackbird

So many blackbirds. On a recent visit, I went to check out the loud and beautiful breeding calls of the Red Winged Blackbirds at the Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson off of Prince Road.

Today I learned about many things.  My eyes are sharper to detail now and this place is like a soap opera on TV.  All you have to do is watch it all go down.  Commercial free.  I try to be good and not talk to many birders on the trail, but once in awhile I break down and ask my one big question for the day which was....

"Why are some of the reds on different birds brighter than others?"  The nice lady told me that the closer they get to breeding season; the redder the tips of the wings get.  And those tips are called epaulets.  Like I said, something new everyday.  The males are territorial.  He can have up to 10 females in his area to protect.

But if you look deeper into the wetlands, you'll notice a segregation of different kinds of blackbirds.  Not only did I see the Red Winged Blackbird, but also the Yellow Headed Blackbird......

When they flew amongst the reeds, it was quite beautiful.

But at times, it was hard to distiguish with all the fast fluttering who was who!

Because from a distance, you could only see black.

The calls were different, but there was one thing that they both had in common....the reeds.  However they all stayed in their own colonies. It was like "the hood" but with birds:)

As the sun began to set over the Catalinas, the blackbirds flew more and more around the wetlands.

And as the sun set, their calls were drowned out by all the other birds in the area.

....And so it began.....settling down somewhere safe.  Somewhere protected. And are you ready?  Stupid newbie. Get ready.  Look what I learned today:)  Every beginner has had this issue including me....

Female Red Wing Blackbird

What you're looking at here is not a Sparrow or an Eurasian Quail but the female Red Wing Blackbird!!!  Was that a shocker!

Yellow Headed Blackbird

They too also nestled in the reeds because the ominous darkness would slowly take over the lands.

Because lurking around twilight......

.....two Harrison Hawks waited to make their kill.  At first they nonchalantly landed on the radio towers above.  But like most Harrison Hawks do, they work in unison and plan their strikes together. And so it began.....

....the hawk flew towards the wetlands and went out to make the kill.  The blackbirds flew in crazy patterns all around me......a bobcat even jutted out of the bushes and then turned around......

.....the other hawk sat waiting....

.....and eventually the sunset and the drama would end before nightfall.  Did the Harrison Hawk catch a meal before sunset?  Will the blackbirds find love?  Did the bobcat catch a duck for dinner? Like I said, it's better than any daytime drama on TV......and it won't be cancelled:)  More tomorrow.