A Race Against The Sun

I ran and ran to get here.  The sun was already in its decline because as you may or may not know, I have this little issue known as work.  It interferes with my travel plans every single day! Several weeks ago, I posted on the Great Horned Owls.  When I returned to the area where the nest was, this is what I found.  The Red Tailed Hawk had returned and reclaimed the nest.  The Owls....gone.

But when one door shuts, another opens and my observations begin again.  As I got closer to this hawk, it would screech out a warning.  I stayed my distance and respected the air space around the tree.

Here I catch her with my longer lense screeching at me.  It can be rather chilling.  Why was the bird doing this?

Pull back from the situation and have a look.  Nest in left tree.  Guardian on the right.  I was disappointed that my Owl friends moved elsewhere but was granted the gift of an angel in flight.  A quite shocking thing to see in a mostly brown desert wash.  A large Great Egret flew above my head....and a rare sighting it was!

Another gift from birding alone.  It was solitary and flew high above the trees in a descending fashion.

The Great Egret

As the sun set, I knew I only had a matter of time to get out several more shots.

And as this large bird descended, I was reminded of the grace and beauty that surrounds us everyday.  And today was yet another unintended special day. I ran out of work.  Literally....ran.

And like this bird, I landed exactly where I was supposed to be.  Here.

Night  began to cover the skies.  I left the trail and headed back into Tucson with another sighting!!!  Javelina!  The world stopped and watched the families cross the street slowly. The desert is full of life. We just have to look closer than most people to "see" it.  And then.  The sun faded from the sky.  

After Dark

 Excitement.  Thrills. Chills.  In the middle of nowhere.  On a lead.  Couldn't sleep the night before because the info was fresh off the wire.  This post today is something I'm very proud of.  The photos aren't the best, but I'm posting them anyway.  It also marks a new level of birding for me.

 Last night I heard the news about some nesting Great Horned Owls near the Tanque Verde Wash.  BUT it was a chance opportunity and yesterday I had a crazy day at work.  They were on my mind all day.  Would I make it after school was out to find this area?  I didn't sleep all night with the news.  What is wrong with me??!!!!  Why was this so important??  Because it was a dare for myself.

 A challenge.  Detective work.  Knowing the city.  Having a deadline.  I worked and right afterwards, I drove an hour and a half to this location.  I know my plants and the person gave me the tree that they were near. Find the Cottonwood. I don't know if I illegally parked. I just know that I had 30 minutes of sunlight left! I crossed my fingers. I rushed.  My heart beating....

 In the dark skies, I heard the unmistakable "hooo hoooo hoooo".  Dark.  Eery.  Ominous.  Adrenaline rush extreme.  I slowed my pace and listened more....homing in on the sounds.  I walked closer and closer until I saw a dark shadow fly across the ominous sky.  The thrill.  The EXCITEMENT! And the payoff....

I almost didn't bring my camera thinking it would be dark by the time I got there, but I remembered Murphy's Law. Don't bring the camera, owls will appear. Good call on my part. The only goal tonight was to try and locate the general vicinity for a potential weekend shoot in daylight.

 I came home tonight with the biggest smile on my face.  I love Tucson.  Even living here after all these years, it still thrills and surprises me.

The Great Horned Owl

It doesn't get any better than this. More tomorrow....