Seasons of Change

Wood Duck-Drake

After returning from treks like California, Mexico, Wisconsin or Colorado, I am always amazed by the Arizona landscape. 

From the airplane, an overview of the Estrella Mountains near Phoenix, AZ

On our flight to California, I snapped this shot of the Estrella Mountain range outside of Phoenix.  From above it looks completely barren of life.  And DRY!  This could easily be a photo from Mars.  Or a map of Middle Earth:)

A Cactus Wren nest in a Cholla Cactus at Saguaro National Park

But let me assure you that our deserts are green and full of life.  Granted, Arizona doesn't have the vibrant greens of other places but the color scheme does exist here:)  It's just more subtle. 

Greater Roadrunner

After California, I hiked and biked around many areas in Tucson alone. I had been craving the silence. This is the eye of my storm.  As you will see over the next several weeks, things are going to take a strange turn.  This is the year of life changes. 

 The biggest battle with our neighbor is yet to come.  Now that the community is united and we have all our ducks in a row, we are going to take this man down.  There will be no more attacks on children, men or women.  It took a lot of work and communication to come together and string all the incidents together to make one huge case against him. He now has a warrant out for his arrest.  Henry Yanez III, your days are numbered in our community.

Greater Roadrunner taking a dirt bath

Then there is the birding.  I want to say that this year has been a lot more challenging for me.  Not because of the birds but because of the time and stress to make sure that my birding DID happen.  It may seem selfish but I have found that I can't live without it.  I think it will always be a part of me now until I die.  And that's a good thing!

Reid Park at Sunset

The cooler temps have arrived and I have begun my long hikes.  What I didn't expect was how painful it would be to ride my bike again.  I started my birds and bike tour for the winter and discovered that I'm out of shape. Well I expected it to be a challenge:)  I can hike miles.  But I can barely bike 2 miles!  That will be remedied over the winter months:)

The Wood Duck was my reward for taking the bike out for a spin.  The good part about biking is that I can hear all the birds in the neighborhoods surrounding the park. In a car, you miss half of it.

The storms brought us wonderful weather and cooler temps.  Over the past several days, I have stood outside until sunset just....being.

A nice sampling of Sonoran desert vegetation.  Note the spacing between the various plants.

I don't know where I am going with this life.  It has been confusing trying to redefine who I am as a person, employee, birder, and community leader.  The birds are my escape.  I like to stand in one spot and let the world of wildlife pass me by..... 

The weather has now fully empowered my birding battery.  The heat begins to dwindle and cooler temps of winter will/have arrive(d). And finally......

Neotropic Cormorants

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Beth Marie. She followed Las Aventuras for several years. We got to know one another over that time and I always enjoyed her day to day stories back in the Midwest.  Just recently, I found out why she hadn't been answering my emails and it was like a punch to the gut.  She passed away this past spring from cancer.  You will be missed my friend. 

Taken at Sweetwater during the storm.

While I have not "met" many of you out there in this great big world, I often think about your writings and wonder what you would say or do if you were in my shoes. This virtual friendship has lead me to make incredible and REAL friendships over the past several years within the blogging community.  So, Beth Marie, you will be in my thoughts during this autumn season. I am glad you no longer suffer in pain from the cancer.  But please know that you are missed. Rest in peace my friend.

An Ode to August

Barrel Cactus Bloom

August you can be quite stunning.  But you also drain me of my energy. I see rain and I smile.  I see sun and I frown. Hot, sweaty, sticky T-shirts are not my thing. It's a love-hate relationship with you.

Migrating Black Terns at Benson's WTP

You bring us rarities.  You bring us color.  Lightning, thunder, raging desert rivers along with gulls, terns and lots of other interesting things. But try searching for a Painted Bunting in 100+ degrees while walking around wet grassy bug filled fields! You, dear August, test my limits.

Texas Ranger and Barrel Cactus

I begin to think of ocean waters, cool breezes, and freezing nights.

The Benson WTP

I come home from an exhausting day at work.  No energy to do anything.  Just sleep.

Mary Jo Ballator's Ash Canyon Retreat-home to the US rare Lucifer Hummmingbirds

Hiking is not even possible.  So I sit among the blooming flowers and watch the migrating hummingbirds from within my chair. 

Male Lucifer Hummingbird

The bugs bite me.  Itch itch itch.  You are way too intense for me and all I can do to escape you, August, is retreat into my air conditioned car.

I think of stain glass windows and old pine with lots of musty books. It's raining all day long.  And cold.  Behind my window, I watch the birds while enjoying a hot cup of coffee. 

Coyote pups need water and want to play with the photographer!  Not today:)

 Most speak ill of the whipping frozen winds of the north.  Not me.  I feel energized by them. I imagine myself at the Whitewater Draw on a cold January day.

Female Lucifer Hummingbird

August.  You are beautiful but you are too high maintenance for me.

As much as I hate saying good-bye to you, I am also secretly relieved that you are leaving.  Is that terrible of me to write?

Sweetwater Wetlands

Your close friend, September, will be visiting soon and I look forward to a brief visit. Nothing personal:)

A Rogue Agent

Often, I find myself alone on many of my birding treks these days.  By all standards, I am a rogue agent. Once and awhile I join teams, but it is often I slip off into the night sky like a nighthawk.

The sleepy Elf Owl

In the birding world, there is a lot of great support and structure for people. I record for Ebird.  I help Audubon with bird counts when I have the time.  I assist researchers out in the field when I have the time.  And I sometimes host as a bird guide.......when I have the time. I am also a photographer at heart. Many birders find themselves caught between such wonderful options. And whatever they choose to do, they directly or indirectly define who they are to the larger birding community. Some are more aligned to their Audubon agencies while others stand guard over the data of Cornell University's Ebird.  The Listserv crew shares rarities and first of year sightings with all the detailed information about where the birds are being seen to the birding community.  Meanwhile the smart ornithologist organizes events communicating between these various organizations to help aide in their research. Sometimes they tempt us with the taste of Bairds, Longspurs and Grasshoppers. And we can't refuse:)  Oh and did I forget to mention that there were working expert birders in the bunch who serve as guides? They add their useful tips for ID's and locations. And within all of this, there are various degrees of birders. It's a complex web of people all centered around the magical world of birds.  Yes, it could be a TV show full of drama.

A Cactus Wren guards the nest

And yet I am still a rogue agent.  Perhaps it's the way I look at things?  I can't commit large amounts of time to any of the organizations other than what I do now because I work full time.  My ears are powerful tools.  I found that whenever there is a group of people, there is often talking. So many times I need to go solo so that I can focus on sounds. I do like people but I have to concentrate. My eyes are so weak.  Sometimes when Pat is along, I need help locating the bird calling from the mass of vegetation as was the case with this Rose-breasted Grosbeak below.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a super rare bird for Southern Arizona

Recently, on a journey into Sweetwater Wetlands after school on Friday, I needed to unwind.  It began like most of my Sweetwater treks......begin at the stream and walk around the ponds.  It was dead quiet.  Hot and sunny.  But my thoughts were my own on this day.  As the sun began to set, I noticed the swallows and Lesser Nighthawks come alive in the sky.

The Lesser Nighthawks inundate our skies at twilight

I dig deeper into the magic of the Cliff Swallows as they feed in mid-flight.  I imagine it's like one motorcyclist trying to share a burrito with the other while going 55 miles an hour down the road.  I have a private laugh.

Cliff Swallows feeding

I stand under the gazebo and watch the dark shadows fly by me.  Wait?!  What was that?!

And then a miracle happened.  A bird with a looooooong tail flew past me.  Not a swallow nor a nighthawk!!!! No way.  IMPOSSIBLE!  No one was around to share this epic moment. I couldn't do anything other than quietly follow the bird and watch as it perched briefly for me to snap a few photos with my shaky hands. There it sat and there it watched me.  Me, the Rogue Agent. Or was it the other way around?  I'd need to prove to them, the guardians of data and rare sightings, that the near impossible had happened.  No one was going to believe this.  I was Big Bird with his imaginary friend Mr. Snuffleupagus.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

I contacted the necessary people, but by the time all was said and done, the sky had darkened.  An alert was sent out and people went to find the bird at sunrise the next day.  It had been too late.  The bird decided to continue its journey.  And this Rogue Agent felt bad.  How many times have I used the Listserv to find rare birds found by others?   This was my opportunity to help others find an amazing bird and I failed. I know I shouldn't be too hard on myself because I've chased other's reports only to come up empty handed.  But this was a chance to contribute something wonderful for my community.  When I help others find life birds, I get excited because there is nothing quite like the satisfying feeling of contribution.  But this life bird for many would not happen.....today.

So as I keep my eyes open for rarities during migration, I begin to plan for June. My eyes look to the North now because that is what the Rogue Agent does. I am constantly on the move like the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. I belong to no one because I am a world birder.  Not of the US.  Not of Arizona. I am a detective. This world has a few secrets left and I hope to unravel some of them. And even if I don't, I will die trying.  More to come.....

When the world comes crashing down upon us, all we have to do is step outside the door and look up....or down......to find Mother Nature's beauty. 

For more birds from around the world check out Wild Bird Wednesday!

Las Brisas Del Mar

Ring-bill Gull

Who knew a gull could inspire so much happiness?  Growing up with gulls, I found them to be full of aggressive mischief and poop.  But on a recent outing with Kathie, this gull changed the way I felt about our day.  It was a difficult morning for me.  I had a hard time focusing.  I was tired.  And frustrated.  Essentially, I was not on top of my game.  What's worse was that I didn't get great shots of my lifebirds or any bird in general.  This was the only bird shot I was pleased with(above).  Kathie saw that I was not my usual self and was very kind and patient.  I've been pushing myself to do better, but as we all know and experience, we don't always have it our way.

Roosevelt Lake-no people

In times like these, I have to remember to breathe and just take it all in.  I used to do this but my brain is wrapped around birds birds birds birds.  Plotting.  Planning.  Scheming.  Ultimately, it has changed me.  Not all for the good.  I understand why many birders get irritated on the trails now.  Too many people will spoil a day quickly.  Such was the case when Kathie and I went to Boyce Thompson Arboretum.  Now Las Aventuras took you there about 2 years ago.  It was an amazing place.  And it was actually my first time taking pics of hummingbirds (which aren't really so good looking back on them:)  That's the fun part about having a blog. We watch ourselves grow as writers and photographers. I can only answer for the photography:) We have to start somewhere.  There were birds and oh so many of them.  But do you think any of them would work with the photographer???  Not on this day.  Terrible shots would be taken of the Williamson's Sapsucker, the Warbling Vireo, and Verdin nest!  The lighting was all wrong.  And hawks were hungry making everyone hide really well.

The Apricot Trees at El Presidio.  Each blossom is a fruit. 

So the biggest thing we looked forward to(the Boyce Thompson Arboretum) turned out to be the worst idea.  Sure I got lifebirds, but they came without awesome photos.  There were too many tourists screaming and shouting along the trails and THAT was frustrating.  I am a lister, chaser, photographer, and do enjoy the counts(as long as they aren't Northern Shovelers!:)  But I am chaser and photographer first.  We didn't dip on any of our birds this day, but I did dip on the photos and that made me frustrated.

Sabino Canyon near the dam-no people

So it made me rebel several days afterwards.  In fact, Kathie and I both had it up to our necks with people spoiling the birding mood and we went off and did our own thing.  When we arrived at Roosevelt Lake, it was like the dawning of a new day!!!  Except that the sun was setting.....as was the realization that we had a long drive back home! But what a truly magical and a great way to end our day.  Yet we both were sad that we chose to bird at Roosevelt at the end of the day instead of the beginning.  Live and learn I guess.  The days that followed made us focus more on the road less taken(by tourists) and our trips were unforgettable....and people-less.  And the glorious birds!!!

My Red Baron Peach Tree

But meanwhile, back in my garden at El Presidio.  Spring has arrived.  My peaches and apricots are blooming.  The winds have changed.  No longer are the cold breezes present.  And with this change marks the beginning of spring here in the Old Pueblo.

Lucy's Warbler -no people!

Kathie and I would both continue to bird together and alone.  But we grew wiser about our planning and we birded before the great masses of people came full force.  In Tucson, it's high season for tourists.

Great Egret as the sun sets at Agua Caliente Park-no people

Migration has really been an exciting time for us.  Sometimes it came from watching the Turkey Vultures blast off in the morning at Ft. Lowell park.  Or listening to the new chorus of bird songs around the city.

Turkey Vulture-I'm in a wash alone

This Lark Sparrow below tweeted and fanned his voice like a bug to catch that lucky lady to begin their new lark sparrow family. Good luck buddy!

Lark Sparrow-a guy with a dog was at the park....a sign to go home

Families begin.  Rookeries form.  And all around us is this wonderful harmonious song that is carried forth on the warm winds.

The Circle of Life.  Great Blue Herons land for the night around Roosevelt Lake

The Sandhill Cranes of winter have mostly gone and left these fields empty once again.

Whitewater Draw-no people

During one afternoon after work, I stood in the middle of Sweetwater as thousands of Yellow-headed blackbirds flew around me. The wind from their wings brushed against my face and made me smile.  Again no people were present.

Yellow-headed Blackbirds at Sweetwater-no people

And the gull over the water reminded me why I bird.  It's not always about finding the lifebird or getting the shot.  Sometimes it's about taking it all in.  Kathie has that part down.  I still work on it. When I saw the gull, I felt energized again and excited.  This bird is the symbol of my hometown from Wisconsin and it reminds me why I moved to Arizona many years ago. In my own way, I'm that hometown gull who found his way into the deserts and canyons. On this night, I saw something incredible.....a majestic gull flying over a desert lake.

 I must remember to pay attention to the direction of the wind.  Going against it is most unpleasant and creates more work. Yet when I move with the momentum, I float effortlessly like the gull over water. In other words, sometimes it's just best to stay home and not bird:)

The Panoramic Shots

 Today's post is unusual.  I've never had a cell phone before this year.  It has been a revelation in so many ways.  But the IPHONE 5 has a nice feature known as the Panoramic shot.  It is one of my favorite things to use while on our birding treks.

 Whenever we go out into the field, I like to take a shot of the place we are going to survey and place it on Facebook for my followers.   Throughout the day, Las Aventuras will publish the finds with several pictures.

 Several times I've gone out without my camera just to watch birds and not have the weight of photography on my shoulders.  On this particular morning, my kitty is helping me get some holiday stuffing going for a party we are attending.

The camera is also great for that "before everyone comes and messes up the settings" shot.  This particular pic was of our Thanksgiving get together.  Great food, great weather, great friends and just a wonderful day together.

 I am allowed to survey areas like Madera Canyon(above) and Sweetwater(below) before I begin my trek.

 The shot below is my classroom.  I love color and design.  After years of careful planning, I came up with the perfect classroom that allows for 70 people, one wheelchair, and room to move.  Not an easy task!

 And can you spot Kathie below??!  Overall a fun new toy that I'll be adding to my arsenal next year.  The camera is pretty nice as well.  Some shots I've taken with my IPHONE actually turn out better than my professional camera.  Shocking but true.......