300 Lifebirds

Greetings all,

Today was a big day for me as I hit 300 lifebirds!  I know I know.  "That's it?", you're all saying:)  Yes.  10, 000 birds out there and only 9,700 +some to go:) But with my work ethic and OCD nature, those numbers will go up. It's not as easy as it sounds:) I began truly birding just a year and a half ago.  And I only began serious birding when I met Kathie Brown.  So I blame it all on her:)   So today, I thought, I'd take you on a brief countdown from the EBIRD list of birds I've seen and photographed during my travels.  It was fun revisiting all of these shots.  So here we go.....

25-Lesser Kiskadee.  At number 25, I found this bird in Panama City on the Amador Causeway.  I thought the tree leaves and bird were perfect together and took the pic.

50-Mallard Ducks.  Invasive for some countries and seen everywhere, the Mallard is well known around the world.  This shot was taken at Bay Beach State Park near Green Bay, Wisconsin.

75-Red-tailed Hawk.  The pride of the Desert Southwest.  The Red-tail Hawk is a beauty.  Here he stares down a punk Loggerhead Shrike.  They had issues on this day.  At Box Canyon near Green Valley, AZ

100-Black-throated Sparrow.  Many say this bird is handsome.  I think they're correct:) Taken at Saguaro National Park, Rincon Unit, Tucson, AZ

125-Mexican Jay.  We all have Jays in our lives and at our feeders.  The Mexican Jay is the Jay that I see on every outing in Pima County.  We both speak Spanish and have a good relationship.  Thankfully, there aren't any issues with Border Patrol and this bird.  Gracias a Dios! Madera Canyon, AZ

150-Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher.  Truly a catch.  This bird is sought after by everyone in the US.  Arizona is its' northern most range.  Here the bird nests at Ramsey Canyon.

175-Plain-Capped Starthroat.  This bird taught me the thrill and anxiety of the "chase".  It was my first bird that I couldn't let go.  I lost many nights of sleep pursuing this rare Mexican migrant.  During one day with people from around the US, this bird came to the feeder and allowed me some much needed R&R....and relief from the chigger bites.  Ash Canyon B&B in the Huachuca Mountains

200-Belted Kingfisher.  I love Kingfishers.  They are one of my favorite birds to see in the wild.  Taken at Sam Lena Park in Tucson, AZ

225-Western Meadowlark. The beautiful song of the Meadowlark makes people smile ear to ear.  Near Sandario Road

250-American Pipit.  While maybe not an exciting bird for many people, it sure makes looking at a farmer's field more interesting.  Santa Cruz Flats near Picacho Peak, AZ

275-Hepatic Tanager-Who doesn't like Tanagers?  Whitehouse Picnic Area, Madera Canyon.  Now drum rolls please........who is number 300????

300-Swainson's Hawk!!!!!  Today on the way to work, I saw one on the telephone pole!  The picture above was taken at the Renaissance Faire for up close study and detailed shots.  For every hundred gained is a celebration earned.  More soon.....

Reliable Tucson Birds

Before I begin today, I have to apologize for the lack of blogging.  We have been hiking nonstop and when we're not doing that, I'm grading final exams.   It has been extremely crazy over here with the holidays in gear.  Personally, I believe everyday in life is a holiday if we make it that way....so I never quite understood this time of year.  I like the actual day when family and friends get together but everything else just weirds me out. What if we could just spread it all out over the year and be nice to each other all the time?  OR What if we didn't make the holidays such a big production!?  Of course I only write this because it gets in the way of birding;) Speaking of birding....

Anna's Hummingbird ....you can't miss 'em:)

Vermilion Flycatcher....get up and head to one of our many parks.  You won't miss this one!

The Red Tail Hawk is everywhere in Tucson.  In fact if you come to bird in Tucson, we'd like you to know that this hawk, the Cooper's Hawk, the Harris Hawk, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin and Vermilian Flycatchers are several of our main attractions.  Meaning....of all the birds that live in Arizona, you'll have a great chance spotting these birds.  There are others that are also reliable like the Anna's Hummingbird.  Some of our specialties(but not guaranteed to find) include the Sulphur Bellied Flycatcher, Elegant Trogon and  of course the many hummingbirds:) These birds are seasonal so check when they come to visit. We have the highest counts of these birds in the country! So here's my question for you.  If I were to go to your city, what would be a reliable bird I'd find on most to every outing?

                                                          Red Tail Hawk in Flight

Harris Hawks...depends where you look, but while I bird in Tucson, they are almost spotted on each outing.

The Verdin.  Research the sounds and listen for that hummingbird like sound....but not quite....and you'll find this little number hopping around you.  Sometimes you don't even know it!   

Reliable and Common bird....the Red Tail Hawk
Check telephone poles in the city.

Sulphur Bellied Flycatcher

Dear blogger friends,  today is the last of the Ramsey canyon adventure.  But I'm sure we'll be visiting again soon considering this is a hummingbird magnet....and is VERY VERY cool compared to the Madera Canyon craziness.   But I think this post sums up why I bird.  Today I discovered a new bird to add to my list.  It's a lifer and I hope I've captured the magic of this event.  This is what Las Aventuras is all about.  Today I present to you all the Sulphur Bellied Flycatcher!

A rare bird to find in the US but one of the signature birds of Ramsey Canyon.  It's one of the very few places you can spot this fascinating bird.  AND it's as unique as the Elegant Trogon.  So today we have found ourselves with a jewel of a post.  I would click on the pics to make them bigger. The ears picked up on something and then my eyes caught yellow splashes up in the large Sycamore trees. I had noticed some weird flight pattern going on.   We stopped to watch and as we did I was shocked by what these adults were doing from their nest. 

Every two minutes, the parents would enter this nest high up.  As they did, they would feed their kiddos and then "shoot" like a cannonball out of the hole.  Drop down.   And fly off.  The photography was tricky so I observed their flight patterns several times to track and guess how and when they'd shoot out of the nest.

The most distinguishing characteristics of this flycatcher are the heavy streaking of its plumage, and its pale yellow belly. The bird also shows a rusty brown tail, and a black eyestripe. Its call sounds like noises made by children's or pet's 'squeaky-toys'.  And this is the important part of identifying the bird on a trail.....listening for a squeaky toy.  That's what caught my attention in the first place and helped me close in on the activity.

In and out they went.....

....in a very graceful pattern......

.....and then they'd "shoot" out of their "canon" and drop down.....

.....and fly to a tree while the other parent went to check them out.  A minute would pass and the younglings would call out and the parents would return....repeating the routine.

Our Wisconsin adventures begin tomorrow:)