Slow But Steady

A Rock Squirrel keeps on the look out for a very hungry Red-tailed Hawk in the area

Before my trek to Oregon, I began to feel pain around the left side under my rib cage.  This routinely has happened to me since I was 32 and always during the same time period.  I'm not sure what it is, but I end up in the ER every time and every time they tell me I'm fine.  And then I throw money out the window. Money that could be used to pay off bills OR go on a birding adventure. 

Chipping Sparrows at Reid Park

For the remainder of the year, I have decided to stay in Tucson.  I was going to head to Mexico City over the holidays, but I think I need to let this body rest.  I will say that it has been nice NOT having plans over break. Instead I'll be working on making better habitat for my birds in the garden. 

American Pipit at Canoa Ranch

While the pain has subsided quite a bit, I still don't feel 110 percent. I'm running at 80 percent right now.  I've found that if I relax, everything gets better.  I've been go go go for so many years that I think my body is telling me to stop and just be present in the moment. 

A Verdin interrupts a Brewer's Sparrow's alone time

And not so far away from my home, I can find so many wonderful local birds and still be home by the late morning.  I get anxious if I don't go birding.  I have to bird at least one place once a day for at least 15 minutes. So it's fun birding my own backyard and I am thankful for my feeders. 

Grasshopper Sparrow at Canoa Ranch

And for everything that has happened over these past weeks, I have a better appreciation for those who want to bird but struggle with health or aging issues while on the trails. 

A Red-tailed Hawk hunts and jumps off a perch

I find that birding keeps my mind distracted from my own issues. And birds are amazing. 

Vesper Sparrow

And while I'm resting, I've been doing research on several countries for next year's treks.  Travel is a marvelous thing and reading up on new species of bird takes time. My office is cluttered with bird books and magazines. 

Phainopepla

I bird the local parks with vigor observing closely the birds that I know well.  And with that pent up birding energy, I've discovered some amazing birds without having to drive far.

Black-crowned Night Heron, juvenile

Winter has arrived in the Old Pueblo.  As of this write, yet another rain storm is projected to hit us by Thanksgiving. 

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Like always, we keep our eyes out for rarities.  So even when I'm sick, I still make a little time to look for something new at a local hotspot.  Hopefully things will get better and I'll be on that road again soon searching for new species.  To all of my US readers, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And to everyone else, hope you have a great week ahead.

A rare Ruddy Ground Dove on my survey grounds at Reid Park

Until next time friends....

The Transitional Slide

Northern Cardinals sing their hearts out this time of year to attract a mate

As winter fades into spring, the wintering birds begin their migration.

White-crowned Sparrow

February in Arizona is relatively a quiet time in the birding world.  Some rarities show up, but overall, it's a great month to catch up on yearly ticks in a relaxing manner.

The San Francisco Peaks

This year, so far, has been great for early hummers.

Anna's Hummingbird

During our trek out to the Desert Museum, we find several Costa's Hummingbirds actively feeding around the gardens.

Costa's Hummingbird

Their brilliant purple dazzles the naked eye.

But even rarer?  A male Allen's Hummingbird is hanging out with the Costa's in the area.

A rare male Allen's Hummingbird

February, March and April are busy times for bird guides.  While I am not an official bird guide, I find myself with many birders needing our Arizona specialties.  It's fun.  I meet new people and I get to watch their reactions to their "new" birds. One day, I'll be able to guide full time, but for now, it's stick to the program:)

During a tour to the Heard Museum, I found this Native American painting.  It accurately depicts a Great Horned Owl's preference for skunk. I imagine the meat is quite aromatic.

Verdin

With my parents at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, we notice Verdins and feeding Anna's Hummingbirds.

At the Desert Museum outside of Tucson, my parents admire the unique looking cacti and succulents.

While we visit all these amazing places, I stop and count birds whenever I can.

At one location, I discover a rare White-throated Sparrow.

rare White-throated Sparrow

At Saguaro National Park, we admire the moon in the background of a beautiful Saguaro.

This is the time of year when I begin to question why I'm sitting on my butt instead of chasing life birds.  Well, soon.  Very soon I'll be taking you all to a special place in search of several special birds while visiting with friends.  For now, I sit at a holding pattern. Until next time....

To Be Young Again

Verdin

Spring.  It's an unofficial holiday; a celebration and renewal of all things centered around life.  For many in the US, it's a happy time as the weather warms up and those dreary gray clouds disappear.  Then the green and colorful blooms begin! In Southern Arizona, we start a little early. Our true spring begins in March. In May, "spring" really feels like the start of summer.  However, nature still tells us that it's "spring" around here with all the little critters making a fuss. 

Brown-crested Flycatcher collecting food for the recently hatched young

We had cooler temps in the mornings this past week and I wanted to take advantage of them while I still could.  So I got the equipment ready to do some serious documentation on the nesting and breeding birds at several of our local parks. 

I'm always surprised by how quickly the young grow up.  I mean.....this can be said about any species! Even humans! My nephew is already going to be a sophomore. Where did the time go? How did my family get so old??!!!  The only conclusion I can come up with is that they live in Wisconsin.  I haven't aged a day here in Arizona:)  So you ask about the gray in my beard?  Well, that's easy. I spray painted that stuff into my hair to look wise and Gandalf-like so that my family wouldn't feel any different :)

Red Torch Cactus

You know what?  I hate teaching.  Or so I say:)  When it comes down to it, I love my kids. I hate the politics behind teaching....and also some of the bad parenting happening out there. #stopenabling  It was so very sad saying good-bye to my Seniors as they will leave for the military or college or.....nowhere in a few short weeks.  The free spirits told me that they just want to explore.  WOW!!  I remember those days.  Now I'm bogged down paying for health insurance, home repairs, protecting our environment, fighting that asshole of a man known as Trump and cleaning the kitty litter(I swear he's been crapping in the litter! I know he's been doing it to our country. For example, take his 3 AM tweets on the toilet) But back to being young. I still explore because it's in my blood.  So I tell my Seniors......explore.  Be safe.  And discover! 

Baby Mallards

In my life, I've had near misses myself.  They were scary.  Almost losing my sister on a Guatemala trip was something that to this day has scared the hell out of me. One year, a faithful Spanish student of mine went off to explore the world and was nearly killed when a motorcycle hit him head on.  I know it's not my fault, but I couldn't help but feel partly responsible for encouraging him with my words to explore the world. It took years of rehabilitation. Just a couple weeks ago, he graduated from college.  And I am so proud of him. And I'd still tell him the same thing.  Explore!  But be careful!

Female Gila Woodpecker feeding the young.  Look at that amazing Saguaro cavity!!!  That is amazing!

Youth.  Inexperience.  I wish I could telepathically share with them all my life experiences.  Be careful when dating.  Be careful settling for something that you are not ready for.  Don't take out too many student loans.  Stay away from those damn drugs. But have fun!  How do I pass that information on to the future generations? Were they listening to my lessons? Quite simply, I have to let them go.  They have to leave the nest at some point. It's something they have to EXPERIENCE on their own. 

A male Gila Woodpecker pokes his head out to see what's going on

Life is dangerous.  It's also beautiful.  As I listened to the young birds call for their parents, I worried for them.  Get away you Cooper's Hawk!! I watched our nesting Common Ravens get bullied by this bird.  One of the ravens actually whimpered.  Again, I wanted to tell the raven, HEY!  Wake up!!! You're bigger!  Kick that bully away from your nest!  Years ago, I realized I cannot change the world nor control the outcomes of others. So, it gave me a certain freedom knowing that it's my life that I need to take charge of.  It's not my responsibility to try and "fix" others. But I can hope that both Common Ravens will stand up to that nasty Coops:) Birds are like people; people are biological creatures.....and we are all connected.  Their story is our story. And vice versa. 

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet

I walked around more and heard our infamous Northern Beardless Tyrannulets.  Everyone comes to this park to see these tiny flycatchers. On this day, the parent Tyrannulets were training their young one to fly from branch to branch.  I stood a safe distance and watched as one parent flew under the shade of the mesquite calling "PIU PIU PIU!" Translation:  Ok.  Fly here. The little one would respond with not quite the same call and fly to the branch.  The parent would then reward the little one with food. And over and over they did this in the hopes that one day, this little Tyrannulet will one day fly off and live its own little life. 

I watched a Bell's Vireo collect nesting material.  I asked myself, Is this the second clutch?  OR Did the first nest fail?  In the mind of a bird, a failure means try again.  Move on.  And do it again.  There's a message in there somewhere. 

As I walked out my classroom door, another Senior stopped and told me that he was thinking about taking a bird watching class at his university.  I had a huge smile on my face and told him that this made me very happy. While my objective is always teaching the Spanish language, I also try to connect my lessons through life experiences.  In the background, I'll have a bird on my SMART board.  When I disappear for that one day at school, my students know that I'm not sick but instead chasing a rare bird:) And it's my obligation to show them my results the day after:)

Arizona Bell's Vireo collecting nest material

I have one more week of school to go.  The forecast will be in the 100's again.  So I called my a/c guy to check our unit because I HATE the heat and want to prevent disaster from happening!  I climbed up on my roof and sat with him as he went over each of the specs. I thought to myself, Why don't I live up here?  It's beautiful!  Anyhow, everything looked good to go.  If there's one thing that stresses me out, it's the fear that our a/c unit will die in the middle of summer.  I have a secondary unit back up but still.....

So I'm ready for summer.  I've said my good-byes. And now it's time to move forward because life doesn't wait for any of us.  I've been stuck at 759 lifebirds for too long! If I remember correctly, there are over 10,000 bird species out there that are waiting for me to find!  And you know what that means.......

The many owls I've seen this year! Most shared with people I love.  Thank you all for your friendship. 

An adventure is waiting to happen.  Here are my reports from this past week.  For people coming to Tucson, you'll find these areas easy to access.  Go early before the heat. Birds are active from 6 AM to about 10 AM.  And don't forget to bring water!

1. Reid Park
2. Lakeside Park
3. Agua Caliente Park

Until next time........

My Nomadic Inclinations

Arizona Gray Squirrel

As I hold in a pattern of wait before our next grand adventure, I hang out in my little cubby hole like the Arizona Gray Squirrel above.  

Black-headed Grosbeak

A lot of planning and work is going into the Las Aventuras summer and fall adventures.  Another exciting trek is also getting mapped out into a remote area of the world that many do not explore. There will be birds, culture, tequila and laughter. I look forward to that photo shoot. But for now....

Wild Turkey

Life is short.  One day you're a lizard eating an ant.  The next, you're food for a Mountain Pygmy Owl. 

Mountain Pygmy Owl

As I'm planning and budgeting the money, I'm keeping my birding local.  After all, this is Arizona birding.  There are so many opportunities to witness some of the world's most amazing birds close to home.  So in short, to keep the costs down, I've been birding locally. 

It's rather fun.  My challenge?  To keep my birding skills sharp as a knife.  But the other challenge?  To capture something truly amazing in that one moment.  It's one thing to take a pic of a bird; it's another to capture it doing something interesting. 

Verdin

So what was this weekend's challenge?  Well, it wasn't as exciting as last BUT it was still fun.  Near the White Citadel(San Xavier Del Bac), our group received word of an uncommon Black-bellied Whistling Duck in a mysterious watering hole.  That piqued my interest.  So I headed towards the mines of Moria and the White Citadel near the edges of my Old Pueblo.  And sure enough.....there was water in a great hole in the ground. 

The bird life was incredible.  How long have I lived here and never known about this obscure place?  Well, it's on my radar now.  Mission accomplished....in both senses of the word "mission":)  As I fine tune my Pima County birding, I'm also getting a sense that the regular Pima County birders are doing the same.  We have spread a net over our area and I'm liking the team work going on.  Before it was 2 or 3 birders finding rarities.  Now, it's more like 10 or 12 excellent birders covering the area.  

And quickly from the Tucson garden.  Ever notice white fuzzy spots on your Prickly Pear Cactus?  If the answer is yes, you're hosting the cochineal bug, a scale insect.  While watering my garden this weekend, I noticed that the scale had gotten out of control.

So I took the hose and washed off my cactus pads.  People have asked me if the scale is bad for their cactus.  Most years, it doesn't present a problem but for some reason, this year it has been bad.  We had a wet winter but it was followed by a super hot and dry spring....which allowed for the scale to grow! And it was doing damage.  So I took the hose to it. 

Cochineal Bug...notice the yellow coloring.  Not good.

As the scale washed off, it looked like blood pooling up around the base of the plant. The Cochineal bug plays an important role here in the Old Pueblo.  The native people use this bug to dye their clothes.  Historically, it was also important in the world trade market.  Today, this carmine dye is used primarily as a food colorant.

Last but not least.  Warblers.  This year has been a sensational year for so many warblers in the state of Arizona.  The year isn't over but look who has come to visit over the past several months.  Las Aventuras will continue the search this summer.

Until next time.....