Showing posts with label Rock Squirrel. Show all posts

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Mukuntuweap

The Paiutes called it Mukuntuweap. It is a park known for its beautiful vistas. And we were there. Micheal wanted to climb the difficult Angel's Landing and I was looking for....birds:)

Together, we hiked 10 grueling miles that day up a steep and often scary trail:) It was worth it.

Lincoln's Sparrow

Along the way, I found cool sparrows like this Lincoln's Sparrow(above). Sometimes, I would keep my head down on the path because I am not a fan of heights. If you look closely at the pic below, you'll notice the "little dots" climbing up several rock edges!

Then I had to look down to show you the view from that top spot to give you an idea how steep this hike was! Yes, I got a little vertigo. And why was I doing this crazy hike? Well to support Micheal of course!:) Or maybe it was to find a rare California Condor in Utah? I get my priorities mixed up sometimes:)

But hey, you only live once so make the most of it. We had a great time climbing to the top.

Plateau Lizard

There were SO MANY people at the park that it was difficult at times safely crossing narrow paths without bumping someone. But it was at the top where my birding adventures began......

There was a Park Ranger at the top doing a Condor presentation for the folks. I spoke with him one-on-one about the details of the nesting pair of Condors at this national park. So far, it has not been successful because of the lead poisoning. In fact, the two Condors who had the chick a couple years ago both have passed away. So I was a bit bummed. He had seen a condor about two weeks ago but there weren't any sightings since that time. Did I hike for nothing?:) I watched him present to a couple French tourists before moving to another location on the cliff. There I sat in the shade watching the skies. I was not giving up.

And then it happened! I saw a large bird swing from out of nowhere next to a cliff! I made out the ID tag as J6 and watched for awhile. There was a group sitting around me and I quickly got their attention on the bird in the sky. One of the tourists asked me about the tag on the wings and before I knew it, I was "acting" park ranger! Someday I will wear that awesome cap and uniform. Anyhow, I saw that the Park Ranger hadn't seen the bird so I carefully ran along the cliff to get his attention.

Everyone at his presentation was super excited to see the bird and before I knew it, there were click click clicks. I gave the ID to the ranger knowing he'd probably know the condor's info. When I did, he said to me, "How in the world???!!!" I'm a serious birder and this is a cool bird:) He told us all that the 6 year old condor was a female who had been released into the wild during the 2011 year. I believe this bird also laid a egg in the wild but it never hatched.

So after a successful hike and bird find, it was time to find the American Dipper hanging out along the river of the Mukuntuweap lands. We watched couples along the river help one another cross the rocky river.

Rock Squirrel

It took us another 2 miles of a walk to locate the bird, but when we did, it was amazing. We had very satisfying views of the Dipper doing what Dippers do best......hopping and swimming around the rocks.

By the time we had found the dipper, the light in the canyon had already begun to diminish.

It was a fantastic trek discovering these beautiful canyons of Southern Utah.

I can see why the Paiute Indians made this place home. Our adventures into rock and canyon continue. Until next time friends....

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

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.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Out On A Limb

Sometimes I find myself out in the middle of nowhere searching for a bird. Of course, there are the wins and the losses known as "dipping" or "finding the target bird". I've gotten to the point now that I will find what I find and try to get the best observation and documentation that I can while out in the field.

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

The wins are absolutely thrilling. A strange bird flew into the bushes. It was a sparrow. Or was it a towhee?? I needed to be sure because the behavior was different. During this day, both Kathie and myself found ourselves in Box Canyon in the Santa Rita mountains. For this one particular bird, I pished and pished with all my heart. And the bird came out. For several minutes, we looked at one another. It was indeed a sparrow....just not one I had seen before. Large. Angular bill. And an interesting looking crown. And so it would be that I would spot the Rufous-crowned Sparrow. A lifebird.

Black-throated Sparrow

If I find my "target bird" on that outing, everything else for that day is gravy. Then I begin to play with my photography more on random things like the Black-throated Sparrow. In Arizona, we have almost every sparrow possible(minus a few) and it's rather exciting and frustrating all at once. While they can be tricky to ID, they make me a better birder.

Red-tail Hawk with Loggerhead Shrike

Sometimes I(we) dip on the target birds. And I will get frustrated. When that happens, I find that taking creative shots from already known birds helps take the edge off of the hunt. We will travel hours into strange places to find those uncommon birds. During our visit into Box Canyon, Kathie blew out a tire on the dirt road. What normally would have been a stressful moment turned into a fun practice changing tires. It felt good changing that tire. And at the end, no stress involved.

Cooper's Hawk

Back at home, the hawks continue to circle my feeders. I'm trying to attract Orioles, but not when there are Cooper's flying around! But still, I do like their visits:)

Savannah Sparrow

And yet another sparrow....the Savannah Sparrow. We've hiked and hiked miles upon miles. If my Doctor gives me a hard time about exercise, I'm going to give her an ear full:) This passion requires one to be in somewhat good shape. I've met several people now who love birds but can't get into the difficult/dangerous areas needed to view them. An older man sat with reflective eyes on a concrete slab and asked if we had seen the Rufous-capped Warbler at Florida Canyon. He couldn't climb the huge slippery rock to access the upper canyon trail. I could see that he really really wanted to climb up that slippery rock. If it hadn't been for his spouse, he may have tried the hike up that slippery rock:) It's the same one that Kathie fell from. I am reminded to seize the day now because who knows what tomorrow will bring.

I was thrilled that Kathie finally found her Arizona Woodpecker. Lovely birds, they are. But even better with a sillouette shot next to the agave stalk.

These trips must be calculated precisely. We never waste time searching for birds, but why drive all those miles without a plan? Maybe not having a plan is better, but then again, missing out on some rare birds can be a kicker.

Box Canyon before the blowout

Arizona is full of diverse habitat. I am sometimes astonished at just how large this state is! And there are times, I will pause to feel the wind against my face. Why else hike? Why else spend money on gas? Isn't there something bigger out there than birds? Birds are awesome, but so are the landscapes, wildlife sightings and random lunches/dinners in bizarre diners.

Roosevelt Lake

Finding the target birds within nice camera range can be difficult and not always possible. In my next post, I'll write about those lifebirds who escaped my camera lens.

Recently, I've made treks to the Grand Canyon to find the nesting CA Condors. 7 miles of hiking! I brought camelbacks for the trek. I dipped on the Condors, but picked up Red Crossbills, Common Goldeneyes, American Crows, Pygmy Nuthatches and Pinyon Jays. So one trade is made for another. Sometimes you are alone. Sometimes you are with a friend. And sometimes you spot a friendly rival birder on the road beeping their car at you as they drive off to their next secret destination. I then wonder, "So what did they see?" On our time in the mountains of Flagstaff, I'd dip on pictures of the Rough-legged hawk and Evening Grosbeaks! Drats:) But I did see some awesome elk up close:) Sometimes, I am much too difficult on myself. "What are those bird sounds? Who is that? Stay put!" My friends have a good time as the views and hikes are great. Plus they learn something in the process. Sometimes they wonder where I am taking them, but I always assure them that it's legit. Plus the game is afoot. Keep the eyes and ears open for anything that moves! And it becomes a game of exercise for the brain and body. It's exhausting at times. While I'm with Kathie, I'm the student. When I'm with photographers/friends, I tend to be the teacher. No one is left out on a limb. Together we play, learn and grow. And thank the bird gods for those Sibley Guides!!!