People can't get enough of these birds. I know I know! I'm the same way. I have to take a picture of them everytime I see them! In fact, I have about a gazillion photos of these birds so I thought I'd try getting them in flight. Not so easy but they are predictable as they fly in a circle capturing bugs.
I spotted the female first in the Mesquite tree. But then I noticed her red mate nearby. Both are beautiful flycatchers.
Did you know?
In winter, Tucson has the highest count of Vermilion flycatchers in the US? I always spot them early early in the morning right away. I could be looking for the rarest bird in the world and this bird holds me up for just a lingering glance:)
Most Tucsonans will go for walks around our parks and glance this bird. One day, I was with a group of birders who watched the flycatcher have some fun. An excited person came up to us and said, "You look like birders. What is that cool looking red bird over there?" Vermilion Flycatcher.
For some reason, I never see them at Sweetwater which is weird to me. But the best places to spot them are at Reid Park, Kennedy Park, Columbus Park, Lakeside Park, Ft. Lowell park. Or any parks with water:) Look near fence lines, tops of trees, and nearby water sources. I even spotted several at a cemetery! They perch out in the open for bugs, zip in a circle and return back to their spot.
Wherever there are many bugs, there are Vermilion Flycatchers. Many times they will be in pairs.
Sometimes they are curious and will fly right next to you.....if you're lucky:) More tomorrow....
Sacred perfection. Kathie and I set out to Sweetwater. It would be her first outing to this place since she moved back to Tucson. For me, it would mark our first outing together here after dark. But even more remarkable were the finds. With birder buddy near, we dared to stay until after dark and that is when the magic happened.
Two elements kept my thoughts together. Kathie. And "Bob". He is always at Sweetwater on Sunday nights with his baseball cap and checklist. Two people who have the observation skills of a Red Tail Hawk hunting prey. We got stuck at the recharge ponds because of the high amount of bird/duck activity. It was incredible but unfortuneatly, the sun is setting earlier and earlier and the time for camera documentation began to dwindle. And before we knew it, the sun had set.
The sky was darkened not only by the fading light but by the flights of hundreds of Yellow Headed Blackbirds, ducks, and other birds. So much life. So much power and beauty.
As it grew quiet, the sacred Great Horned Owl flew with its HUGE wingspan across the dark night sky. Quiet. And breathtaking. And for the first time, a Green Heron magically appeared out of a tree and it would mark my first photo documentation of this bird. But even more special were the Lesser Nighthawks that flew above our heads. The Black Capped Night Heron began its ascent over the wetlands. And "Bob" reported that we passed a Diamond Backed Rattlesnake. That would have been incredible to spot but Kathie was happy we hadn't:) And throughout the hushed and darkened skies of Sweetwater, the sparrows and songbirds huddled together and sang their nighttime music safely together in the bushes.
Never had I stayed so late at this place that I like to bird. The wild things roam here during this time and one must keep their eyes open for snakes, Coyotes, a Mountain Lion, Bobcats, etc. As we left the place, I felt recharged and happy that we were able to spot so many incredible night birds. Which of course means only one thing.......I have to investigate more on this birding at night bit:) My Monday began calm and relaxed with lingering thoughts of the Great Horned Owl in flight..........
Here's another song that I've been listening to in my car. This song is close to my heart and relates to a someone I know. If I had seen this video 5 years ago, I would have thought that this would happen to other people, but indeed this scenario had played out in someone I knew in my world. Part of this blog is about the journey and documentation of all things which includes the background experience of a trip. Those things that are on the back of our mind while we hike and look for birds and other wildlife.
A sign in September that things were changing came from the birds flying through our state. It began.
We watched the skies fill with birds as they flew, stopped, and moved on.
Some of course stayed around and were only coming out to dine:) That's why I keep my cats indoors.
And with all of this begins the change that is before each of us. I believe East coast winters will be cold and snowy and ours wet. El Niño is back again. This means that the warm winter of this year may not happen for us again. And let's hope not. We all need the rain or snow.
The butterflies have been out of this world this year. So so many of them!!! If you notice this Giant Swallowtail flying around your citrus plants, pay attention to what this butterfly is doing.
It's laying eggs on the leaves which the caterpillars love to eat.
These pics were taken at El Presidio. They will look like they're killing your plant, but they're not:) The leaves will be chomped down to the nub and will grow back later.
Giant Swallowtail
They grab your attention(like they did me) and hold us captivated for many a long moment. It's hard to have a conversation with another person when this butterfly is flying around the garden.
So if you notice bird droppings that look like this....
These photos were taken by me before I watermarked them. They're right out of El Presidio.
or this......
Swallowtail Caterpillar
or this, don't stress. They'll grow up to be beautiful butterflies. More tomorrow.....
It's hard to say why things are so complicated in life. Sometimes it's one thing. Sometimes it's a combination of things. But whenever the camera comes out, the complications of life go away.
It's just me. It's just my camera. I dare not speak as I don't want to disturb the life around me. For so many years, I went went went......and to where? And for what?? Today, I know that you don't have to go far to find the magic of your own home or garden. It's always been there. Just took me awhile to figure it out. Just be.
And when I see these amazing things around me, I forget everything and just stand in awe of the power that nature provides. There are even moments when a tear forms at the corner of my eye. I don't even care if anyone knows that anymore because it's true. Some call it God. Some call it Nature. Whatever It is, I can certainly feel the power and wonder of our Universe at work....but It is. And when those moments happen, my camera has a hard time focusing.
Today I happened upon Coyotes. I was alone. Not scared. But I was respectful of our space. And that little kid came out with a little laugh....but never anything loud because our little laughs make the wild things run. And it takes awhile to find them safely hidden from people. I wondered if these Coyotes were ever chased by people. What was their experience like around us? But I didn't let the thought linger too long because it bothered me to think what the answer might be.
We looked at each other for a moment. My work was unimportant, my life meaningless.....because here in this moment was something called perfection. And if glow were an emotion than that is what I was feeling. And I begin to understand why the Native people's used the Coyote as a symbol. It was that powerful.
Well look who's hungry! Mesquite trees are iconic for the Sonoran desert. Next to the Saguaro cactus and Palo Verde tree, it is one of the most common trees found around our landscapes. So I'd thought I'd write about one of the benefits of this tree for our wildlife and also answer a question for dog owners about the pods.
Mesquite pods are enjoyed by all kinds of wildlife around our Sonoran desert. The pods fall around mid July and are quite popular by the local rodents:) Ground squirrels can be seen eating the pods.
Hispid Cotten Rat
I was finally able to get a great shot of the Hispid Cotten Rat. This little guy seemed a bit lethargic as I neared him:)
Some of you are dog owners and if you see your dog eat these pods, don't panic. They're okay to eat, but they'll make your dog's um...poo smell a bit:) If they eat too many, they'll throw them up. But like many dogs, they don't know when to stop eating, so just keep an eye out. Many homeowners here just sweep under the trees before the pooches can get to them:)
Squirrel!
As for humans? Many will ground our local mesquite pods for a healthier flour. It tastes pretty good. Places like Native Seeds SEARCH will ground up the pods for a minimal cost. The flour makes some great pancakes:) Just another benefit of the mesquite tree. More tomorrow....
Picture it. Tucson, 2027. I'm sitting on these chairs with my ice cold mojito with freshly clipped mint leaves from my garden. No need for cushions on these chairs because I am wearing a nicely padded adult diaper.
I'm watching our neighbor's Palo Verde tree drop lots and lots of pollen and flowers. I snort two sprays of Flonase to help with my allergies.
Since I don't work, I can start focusing on my art. Placing strange plants together from hanging baskets.
No stressed coworkers or adminstrators worrying about school performance, class sizes, budget cuts etc etc etc. The nastiest it gets around here is from our freeloading hummer who screams at me to refill his feeder.
Why do so many people retire in Arizona? Look at the views and you'll see why it's a popular destination.
Cooper's Hawk
Of course I'll have to watch out for that Cooper's Hawk who is eyeing me up in the Mesquite. If I close my eyes for one second; it may be my last as the Angel of Death swoops down on my body. I suppose I'll have to watch the amount of mojitos I drink.
Primrose
But then I think, why wait until retirement? Why not enjoy life now? Leave work at work and live each day to the fullest. Summer break will begin soon!!
Sometimes while I'm with others, my mind wanders to other places. I escape to another space and explore the mystery behind the motion. Here is what I saw......
......a spark.........a twirl.....an image.......
.....as the fire swirl created a person in the center......and only briefly.....the spirit of the ancient one dancing......
......dancing and twirling.....never ceasing to stop........marking the dark skies.......
.....enlightening others to their presence.....making it known......that fire connects us to the very basic and elemental need of humankind........
A blaze. A swirl. A loop. Vibrations and waves of flames. Looping over and under and all around.......
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