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| Yellow-eyed Junco(just how many bands can these birds hold?!) |
Not all birds are the same. "Oh that's a Yellow-eyed Junco! You can always tell by their song."
Whoa whoa whoa! Back up! That statement is like saying all white people look the same. Who's more vanilla? Well, I'm originally from Wisconsin so I'd say I'm more cheese than vanilla. And now that I'm living in the desert, I'd say I'm more fried. So in a sense, I guess I'm a fried cheese curd:) Sounds good to me. While certain cultures and people share commonalities, there is not one person alike. The same goes with the bird world, etc. My eyes aren't so great. But my ears can zone and tune into bird calls.
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| Cooper's Hawk |
I have recordings on my cell phone and at home that allow me to listen to bird calls. The more practice I have; the stronger I become out in the field. I usually go to a place with a target bird in mind. When I have a new bird, I memorize the features of the bird and also record the songs in my brain. On this day, up in Rose Canyon on Mt. Lemmon, I would track the Greater Pewee.....a Mexican visitor.
We'd climb the dam and find all kinds of wonderful birds. Some were nesting like the Cooper's Hawk.
Many people were fishing as we climbed the hills trying to locate the unmistakable song of the Greater Pewee.
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| Hairy Woodpecker |
Amazing views. Incredible finds. Below is a shot of the tent caterpillar and favorite snack of the Vireo family:)
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| Tent Caterpillar |
Of course, House Wrens don't mind a bite or two. Heck I don't even think they bite. It's chomp, chomp, and gulp!
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| House Wren |
We were exhausted and sat on the bench watching this Cliff Chipmunk run around the grass. And then the song! The one I had been waiting for.....but not exactly the one I had in my head. The voice was similar but different. I climbed the big mountain hill at the top as the Greater Pewee called out.
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| Cliff Chipmunk |
As I reached the top, I stopped to get the ID shot and just sat listening to the song. I marvelled at it all. It's interesting because people tend to clump animals, birds etc all together. And we do it with people as well:) It just shows that not all Greater Pewees are the same......just like people. This year we have found different vocalizations not only within the Pewee populations but also with our Mountain Chickadees. During our road trips, Pat and I have memorized their particular songs and put words with their melodies. This bird has a beautiful song followed by an annoying, da daaa, da daaa! And without further ado, I present to you all the very special and unique Greater Pewee.
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| Greater Pewee |
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