A Little Spring Cleaning

Friend Khanh and Robert come to visit family.  Together we explore the beautiful Sabino Canyon

This time of year brings everyone together in the desert.  We are always in transit.  Well, I was always in transit never quite allowing myself to become stationary for too long.  These past several months have allowed me to enjoy wildlife watching with old and new friends alike. Observing their reactions through their eyes for the first time is exciting. 

Pyrrhuloxia

After everything that had happened last year with family and friends and my own health issues, I have found myself more comfortable being comfortable in my own shoes.  After shedding the last vestiges of negativity at my work, I have found joy again in my job.  I had to step away from it all to see clearly why a simple change was necessary for my sanity. Negative people try and pull you into their own misery and negative space. We don't get to choose who our co-workers are, but we can modify certain practices in our routine to avoid that negative contamination of the mind.

I finally made that change this year. Like buying a new car, my new room makes me happy each day I enter it. It's a magical space that's far away from the drama of others. After 20 years at the same job, it was time for a change in setting. Examine the pic above.  Travel and language are the centers of decor.  Birds decorate the walls.  Fresh flowers bring in the natural element.  Cats give it a whimsy.  The upside down umbrella is a message to all that EVERYONE is welcome in my room(leave the negativity at the door).  And the table is for playing cards after their work is done.  Bird cards are given at the table.  Lunch can also be eaten there.  Not featured is the tea and coffee pot to the side. Lighting is key, dim the lights to cut the bright harsh glare. Soft jazz or classical music plays in the background. A new teacher said it was like an apartment in my room.  It has a fridge and microwave. And a couch. Yes. It's a safe zone for kids to speak their minds.  I have found my center again in teaching.  This time around, I am very protective of who I allow into that bubble. I remember my days in my kindergarten classroom fondly. It was also an amazing classroom full of nooks and crannies. I've never forgotten how comfortable I felt as a student in that classroom. As another spring season arrives, I am thankful to be alive and appreciative for all that renews me. 

Nature is powerful.  Standing by a cold mountain stream in the canyon renews my faith in people. In a world full of toxicity, it is so vital to spend time with friends in these places and get through these terrible times. Like the classroom, nature can heal the mind and body. I love my fellow winter birding friends.  We spend a great day outdoors together.  Then share a meal later. That's what it's all about.  House chores can wait. 

Gambel's Quail

All the signs point towards spring.  A male Rufous-winged Sparrow sings in a tree.  Khanh follows the bird for a beautiful close up. 

Khanh photographs a singing male Rufous-winged Sparrow.  Listen to the bird's song in the video below.

Maybe it's weird.  But it's fun watching people observe our Arizona birds. 

I always have to remind them to look at their surroundings.  It's not every day you get to see the clouds meander in and out of the Catalina mountains. 

The beauty of the Santa Catalina mountain and our gorgeous Sonoran desert.  The large cactus is called a Saguaro.  The one in the middle is over a hundred years old. 

Or watch a beautiful White-throated Swift dive in and out of a canyon catching bugs.  

White-throated Swift

Or search for a Grasshopper Sparrow on an overcast day. 

I see these Snow Geese at a local park and wonder how long they'll stay.  I begin to see spring arrivals.  The temperatures warm up.  Gardens begin to awaken from their slumber.  

Snow Geese

 Birds like the Northern Cardinal begin to call in my neighborhood. 

From left to right.  Pine Siskin, Northern Cardinal, White-crowned Sparrow

 The muffled cries of "NO HOPE!" are heard inside nearby trees emanating from the secretive Inca Doves.

Inca Dove

 In Tucson, their numbers are few.  So when I get a glance of this species, I let my eyes linger a little longer. Everyone else around the state laughs at Tucson birders for getting excited over an Incan Dove.  But I think if they didn't have them at their feeders, they'd understand why we enjoy these birds so much.  They were once common here.  I remember having them at my feeders in the 90's.  They were even my favorite doves back when there were many!

Windows of time are all we really have anymore.  I watch the Sandhill Cranes for the last time during the winter season and think, "Wow.  Another winter has come and gone. Where has the time gone?"  

John photographs a couple thousand Sandhill Cranes

 I take a couple out to Sweetwater Wetlands who have seen Yellow-headed Blackbirds in small groups.  But they had never seen thousands of Yellow-headed Blackbirds flock together over our heads at sunset.  There's magic in this.  

Yellow-headed Blackbird

A yearly burn at the wetlands exposes a Black-crowned Night Heron having a "light" dinner.  Frog legs are on the menu. 

Black-crowned Night Heron

And on my way to work, I see a Turkey Vulture on a pole in my neighborhood.  This is a true sign that spring has arrived. Vultures, hawks and falcons are on the move north.  Turkey Vultures are not common in my neighborhood so I get excited seeing one up close. It's a bird both ugly and beautiful at the same time and a welcome visitor to the yard!

Turkey Vulture

Over the next several weeks, we go into full spring mode in Southeastern Arizona exploring hummingbirds, raising money for charity, investigating the Sedona area, and reporting on our annual Arizona birds and blooms.  As the year warms up, we'll be getting into some hotter locations including a trek to Mexico and Panama.  Until next time.....

The Prime Directive

Pyrrhuloxia male

Taking a break from the Guatemala treks, here is a fantastic discovery closer to home.  My Aunt from Prescott came down to visit me in Tucson.  I had taken her to Sabino Canyon for a walk and possibly find some wildlife.  She wanted to know more about what I did on my free time.  And so I showed her....

And not too far from the entrance to the park did we spot our first adventure!  I noticed a lot of Pyrrhuloxia activity happening around a grove of mesquite trees.  So we moved closer to spot what all the commotion was about........and then my Aunt saw why they were going crazy........look at the pic above.

Pyrrhuloxia Female

A Coachwhip snake climbed the branches searching for the young ones in the nearby nest.  The father Pyrrhuloxia tried to distract the snake from the babies.  Meanwhile mom had food in her beak for them while she sat nearby to the young ones.  But where were the young ones?

Coachwhip Snake(Red Racer)

My question would be quickly answered as one plopped down in front of me on the road.  Now I'm not one to interfere with nature's battles, but the little ones were in danger.  Well they were out of danger from the snake, but not from the human "tram" that drove up and down the road.  So I led them back near the base of the trees while the snake climbed higher towards the nest. At least they were safe from the human traffic.

We did our part to help the little ones out, but it is my rule of thumb never to interfere with "the show" unless of course humans caused it.

We hiked to the rushing waters of Sabino and cooled off.  And for the moment, the Pyrrhuloxia family was safe.  Just one of the many dramas that unfold in nature.  More from Guatemala coming up.....

Golden Opportunities

Female Phainopepla

When one bird is found, another is just waiting to be discovered.  Of course along the way, previously discovered birds continue to present themselves in better light and require another photo.

Western Bluebirds

I'm still waiting for better shots of the Western Bluebirds.  Of course there were lots of them flying around this mesquite but nature doesn't really care if you get the shot or not.  You get them when you can and so I wait for that better Bluebird shot.

Male Phainopepla

Now while one bird may not be ready for their pictures, some sit perfectly in the right light.

Northern Mockingbird

And even though I may have better pictures, who can resist taking more postcard perfect pictures!??  It's not everyday we pass by the Phainopepla population:)

And on this day, we'd work hard for our new and old discoveries.  But they were all worth it!  And we got a great walk on top of it:)

Female Broad bill Hummingbird

In the beginning of this post, I mentioned finding one bird and then looking for another new one.  I had discovered what I still think was a Golden Eagle the previous day but didn't have enough observation time with the bird to call it.  Several other "pro" birders felt confident and called the shot.  Coming up this month, I plan on getting better shots of not only the Golden Eagles but the Bald Eagles in New Mexico.   But on this day at Sabino, we were able to observe two wonderful eagles together.  It was amazing.  I'm really learning flight patterns and looking for those field marks.

Golden Eagle

The Rock Wren below sounds like a police whistle.  I had heard it and counted it before but was never able to get the shot.  Today the opportunity would arise.  But this photographer has to remember where he was going while trying to capture this bird.  I lost myself behind the camera and when I came back to reality, I discovered I was on a rock ledge with a pool of nasty water 2 feet below me!  That would have been nasty.

Rock Wren

And another sparrow would present itself on this day. In 1886, the Rufous winged Sparrow was considered extremely rare where before it had been VERY common.  At one point it was considered extinct until 1936 when the species was rediscovered. Some of these birds held on and today, their populations are once again expanding however slowly.   Loss of habitat as a result of overgrazing and urban development is believed to have had the greatest effect on populations.  They are considered a treasure by many birders as they are still uncommon.  In fact when I posted the shots on my Facebook, several birders proclaimed that we did indeed have a good day:) Yeah for us, but I hope this bird  becomes common once again.

Rufous-winged Sparrow

This guy grabbed my attention while Kathie was snapping shots of a Rock Wren and Black-throated Sparrow getting into a tiff.  Golden opportunity.

Whether it's an "old" bird or "new" one, it's still fun observing the world of birds.  It's a fantastic world. All you need is patience and a good eye.

Black-throated Sparrow

It also helps when your birding buddy is shorter:)  More tomorrow.....

Under the Mesquite, I Wait

On the day I took these shots, it was National Park day which meant free entrance.  I don't know why I went to Sabino Canyon.  Well I know why I went but I should have known better.  We have so many canyons here. Most of them are relatively quiet and unknown.  Sabino is full of life but it is also one of  Tucson's premiere tourist destinations.  Yes.  There were lots of people.  I went early to enjoy the cooler temps and perhaps discover the Coati, Racoon or Gila Monster.....or the Mountain Lion that was reported with 3 cubs.

Stop 4

And as for birds?  I heard them but didn't see much activity.  It was a beautiful hike. I did get a little tan from the walk. The water in the creek was flowing and it was pretty.

But I feel like I shouldn't have gone here on this day.  And yet I did.  Any place that's full of runners, crying children, tourists shouting, and loud trams going up and down the canyon road tend to scare off the wildlife.  And yet I went.

It wasn't disappointing. At first I did a long hike but I ran out of water and know my limits.  It was getting hot quick and I returned back to the entrance......but I wasn't going home.  So I took that darn tram for 8 bucks to stop 9 hoping to find birds.....or something........

But I wasn't alone.  While I was searching for birds at Sabino, the Audobon was in a much more quiet canyon on the other side of the mountain.  They reported the same as I did on this day....birds quiet today.  The difference?  They spotted a Gila Monster!!!!

Gila Woodpecker

And speaking of things "Gila", I can always rely on the Gila Woodpecker.  They're always around to make me smile with their loud squacks. But it would be the only bird I'd see up close.  There was a flycatcher in the distance but I couldn't make out what it was.....so I went to the top.

female Filigree Skimmer

And hiked down.  Nada. Zip.  Zilch.  I left the road and walked along the creek to locate the birds chirping in the trees.  There were Verdins, hummingbirds, flycatchers, quail, warblers, and other birds.  But I could only hear them.  But along the creek, I spotted this little gem!  A new kind of dragonfly I hadn't seen before. So I sat on a rock alone and watched them flutter around me.  They landed super close while I sat in the shade.

And while today was a nice hike without lots of wildlife to see, I think I got some of the best dragonfly shots yet.  This is a female Filigree Skimmer.

Now don't laugh at me but I play these games in my head.  "If I were a dragonfly, which one would I be?"  And I think after the find today, I'd choose this color and style:)

Normally I only go to Sabino Canyon when I have guests coming into town because it is a beautiful area and everyone falls in love with Tucson after that visit (and the one to the Desert Museum:)  I've seen deer, cardinals and all kinds of critters in Sabino Canyon but no one captures the beauty of Sabino Canyon like Diane from Desert Colors.

So after an extensive and hot 4 hour morning hike, I gave in and headed to Stop 4 and waved my tram ticket up in defeat.  Why Stop 4?  Because that's where I seem to find all the birds hanging out.....and there was a wonderful shady mesquite tree to keep me from having heat exhaustion.   At least I had some great exercise, but that was cancelled out by movie night and Dominos pizza with Pat.  Tomorrow, Kathie and I are going birding in one of our local parks.  We'll probably find more in town than outside of it.  Stay tuned to see what flies our way:)  More tomorrow.....

Trans-Pecos Morning Glory

My Private Little Walk

Welcome to the most perfect day to hike.  It's the reason why we all live here.  Last month, the State Park System of Arizona had a no charge entrance day.....and I went!  Today's hike is in Sabino Canyon.

As you can imagine, there were A LOT of people walking around the park.  And if you're doing photography, you don't want people around you.  So I took the path least followed, and you'll be surprised at what I saw!

I finally got a great stock photo of the Desert Mistletoe.  But a curious thing happened.  During my studies on Desert Mistletoe, I remember a bird in the same pic next to this parasitic plant.  In fact this bird is very territorial and will protect a patch of Desert Mistletoe from others of its' kind.  This bird is called the Phainopepla.

Phainopepla

It will stand on a perch overlooking areas.  The more I moved up the dirt trail, the more I noticed the peculiar habit of this bird.  And the more I walked; the more I noticed a different bird for each "sector" of desert land. The darker colors indicate the male while the greyer tones indicate female.  And what's interesting is that both of these living organisms need each other to survive.  The bird eats the berries and the berries move through the bird's digestive tract eventually being deposited onto other trees.  In December, I wrote about the Cecropia tree and how it also has a symbiotic relationship in nature with the sloth and ants that live in the tree.

So I kept moving......and I noticed a slight movement.  I almost missed it.....

.....and discovered that someone was looking at me.  She was beautiful.  Mule deer live in our Tucson desert.  That may be shocking for some:)

But what was shocking for me was that after the doe moved out of the way, a buck stood up in the same area.  Talk about exciting!

I slowly moved around the deer and enjoyed these creatures surrounded by cactus and other plants native to the Sonoran desert.  Had I been on the road, I would have never seen any of this.  Had I been talking, I wouldn't have seen any of this.  Lesson.  You can go your own way:)  It's better.

It was around 74 degrees that day and a much needed break from the cold temps of Wisconsin.  I love National Park Day.  This film shoot was actually done on January 7th of this year.

How do cactus grow like this?  This Saguaro barely has any root surface!

This is also where I snapped my Desert Cardinal Shots.  I didn't put this one in yesterday so I'll put it in today.

Have you ever prayed to the Gods of the Weirwood? (Game of Thrones reference) Well really, it's an Arizona Sycamore:)

I love free State Park Day. Until next time.....