The Catalina Highway

Sometimes you just have to get away.

Western Bluebird

I took a drive to the top of Mt. Lemmon on that Catalina Highway.

Turkey Vulture

For several early hours, I just took in the cooler temps and enjoyed feeling cold.

And while I stood alone in the forest.....

......I watched the birds actively feed all around me.

White-breasted Nuthatch

There were many young ones following their parents from branch to branch and from tree to tree.

Yellow-eyed Junco

The end of summer is near.  Soon the young ones will be leaving with their parents.

Western Wood-Pewee

Characters, like this Northern Flicker, may choose to winter on Mt. Lemmon over the winter OR head on down to the warmer temps of Tucson.

Northern Flicker

Others, like this Pygmy Nuthatch below, will remain here.

Pygmy Nuthatch

Hawks are moving through the area now. Many are heading south passing through the Catalinas.

Red-tailed Hawk

After this crazy summer, things are starting to get back to normal again. With temps cooling down below 100 degrees, I'm feeling my energy come back.  It's not easy getting trapped inside your home for more than a week over the course of 2 or 3 months. More adventures coming soon.....

The Study of Birds

Birding is more than just looking at birds.  There are so many facets to this "hobby" or passion of ours.  We sometimes will play the part of explorer or detective.  Obviously observation plays a big role in all of this.  The more we do it; the better we become.  As time progresses, we grow individually and as a group collecting data for organizations like Audubon, AZFO, or Cornell University(aka Ebird).  On the outing to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon last weekend, our focus was on nesting birds.  However, as many of us discovered, there was a lot more happening than just nesting activity.  

The first part of the journey began with our beautiful California Condors.  They are still very much endangered due to lead poisoning.  This, many times, happens when hunters use lead bullets instead of the copper ones. The lead spreads through the carcass that is left behind.  At that point, scavengers will feast on those remains.  Currently, the state of California has banned the use of lead, but Arizona and Utah have not. Therefore, Condors still face this threat.  They are all tagged and checked each year.  Often, several condors must undergo a detoxification process. Sadly, some will lose the battle.  Hunters, for the most part, are responsible, but the lead poisoning continues which indicates that some may not be playing by the rules. One would think Arizona would move forward adopting a ban on lead similar to the one in California. My friend Ranger Gaelyn, the Geogypsy at the North Rim wrote in a comment, "In AZ, and now in UT, game & fish works on hunter education with 80-90% voluntary compliance. The lead problem may not be exclusively from hunters either.". Thanks Gaelyn for the info! If we can figure out the lead issue, these birds could make a strong comeback. Other issues that Condors face....Golden Eagles, coyotes and power lines. 

On our outing, we tallied 5 CONDORS!  As mentioned previously, all the condors are tagged.  Each Condor was ID'd via the internet.  There are places, like the Peregrine Fund, that helped me ID the backgrounds on each of these birds.  The lettered Condors indicate that they were captive bred at the Portland Zoo. The websites also gave me the age, when they were released and how they were raised.  For example, L3(above) was raised by a foster parent Condor while 53(below) was raised by a hand puppet:)  It sounds funny, but it's true.  Sometimes the Condors are raised by their biological parents in captivity or in a few cases.... the wild!  This is great news for the Condors as their range is SLOWLY spreading into new areas.  In fact, Utah has reported their first condor chick in the wild! Congrats!

Our main study revolved around nesting birds. There was quite a bit of bug collection going on everywhere we turned.   

Western Bluebird

 Bluebirds, like other birds in the area, also nest in the cavities of trees.

There were several stretches of burned trees along the North Rim. Now to the human eye, burned areas look like a stain on the landscape, but on closer inspection, we found that many woodpeckers and sapsuckers used these burned areas for nesting like this Williamson's Sapsucker below.  

Williamson's Sapsucker(male)

We also made yet another discovery while on the trails.  This unfortunate Common Poorwill may have been hit by an oncoming vehicle.   It is a difficult bird to see at night.  Like most nightjars, it prefers to sit along dirt roads near shrubs and flies the evening skies capturing insects for a meal.  However, the team was allowed a closer inspection of this normally difficult-to-see bird.  I always imagined the bird to have rough feathers, but when we touched them, they were amazingly soft.  

Common Poorwill

 We also discovered that there were warblers favoring certain trees.  We commonly found the Virginia's Warbler feeding on blooming New Mexican Locust trees. 

Virginia's Warbler

 Finally, we were able to really study the differences between Cassin's and House Finches.  The Rim was full of Cassin's Finches and were rather easy to find around water sources. 

Cassin's Finch

For me, the detailed study of birds has become a passion.  The only time it isn't a passion is when it's too hot outside:)  I help when I can, but I am constantly exploring new areas.  But one day, I will be forced to sit down.  And if that happens, I'll probably begin painting the birds I have seen in this lifetime.

Black-throated Gray Warbler

It's one experience to observe a lifebird for the first time; it's another to see it repeatedly and truly understand the bird's habits. 

The adventure continues......

Lesser Goldfinch

For more birds from around our world, check out Wild Bird Wednesday. 

Spring Is In The Air

Broad-billed Hummingbird

When things start warming up, it's hard to ignore the changes around us. When the Broad-billed Hummingbird starts feeding from the stunning Parry's Penstemon, I stop with others and marvel at the incredible beauty that nature provides this time of year. 

Mountain Laurel pollinated by the Carpenter Bee

It's a reminder that everything renews. 
 

The Great Horned Owls nest and have their owlets every spring at my work site. Every year we look forward to their return as we watch them go from egg to large owl in just a matter of weeks!
 

Fairy Duster

 But it's not just the birds.  A Fairy Duster bursts forth like a firecracker in the night sky. A Tucson garden, thanks to African Daisies, brightens up our lives with a little sunshine.  
 

African Daisies

 All it takes is one rain event. 
 

Desert Globemallow

Insects, wildflowers, migrating birds alike.......

Anna's Hummingbird with Turk's Cap

......remind us that life is constant change.  With or without us.

Common Gallinule(Moorhen)

I never once take any of this for granted. 

A protective nesting Cooper's Hawk

 Each year as I grow older, I still marvel at it all like I once did as a kid. 

These epic landscapes are the paintings that will define our lifetime.  And I hope they remain that way for generations to come. 

Created with my cartoon app. Snapped a shot at Sabino creek with my phone and had a little fun.  It was the most perfect day.  

Until next time.....

Don't forget to check out Wild Bird Wednesday.

Setting Goals

Mom and Dad with my nephew Orion

I am currently working on the 2014 birding season for next year. Meanwhile I'm finishing up the year beyond my expectations.  At the beginning of the 2013 year, I wanted to set out and find 150 life birds. Instead, I found over 200 new birds! Sometimes, I needed a  birder friend to call on for help:) Currently, I have seen 416 different species around the US, Mexico and Guatemala. My goals were met.

Pike's Peak

The limitations are always the same....money, time, and of course, a full time job.  I think I am getting better with balancing it all out, but I still find myself biting my nails when something new flies into the area that I can't chase while at work. However, the new year looks to be an exciting one. 

So I am scheduling various places to study around the US. The prairies, Hawaii and Alaska will have to wait....for now.

In many ways, it's rather strange.  The US for me has always been rather...meh!, but by putting the birds into the picture, it has changed my views on my country.  And it has opened my eyes to all the cool and wonderful National and State Parks!  Plus, being a birder, means you see things that most people never get to see.

Mountain Chickadee

In January, I will be working in the grasslands on several projects learning about sparrows.  In February, we head to Sandia Crest in New Mexico to find the 3 incredible Rosy Finches.  In March, I'm off to Florida to visit a friend and bird along the ocean and water areas.  In April, it's off to Rocky Point, Mexico for some fun around the coast. Then in June, I'll be heading off to Maine with Pat for a couple weeks to visit Kathie.  So for the first half of the year, it's going to be busy!  And of course, there will be budgeting:)

Pygmy Nuthatch

And in between there will be road trips from around the state of Arizona and perhaps beyond.

Me properly ID'ing a Yellow-rump Warbler

I'll be releasing two more posts from the 2013 season highlighting some of the fun and spectacular bird events that happened from around Guatemala, Arizona, Colorado and Wisconsin. 

As we close out this new year, I'd like to take the time and thank you all for following Las Aventuras.  Whether you just read, comment or both on the posts, you encourage me with your kind words of support.

Clark's Nutcracker

I am currently working on the prototype for my first "coffee table" book.  It was exciting to put together and review all the incredible things we've done over this year.  Have you done something similar? 

Luna supervises

So for now, I hope everyone isn't stressing out with the holiday craziness.  It will get done.  It always does:)  Just be careful driving out there.

I'll be closing off the year with 2 more posts and then I'll see you back next year several times a month.  We all tend to take a break from blogger in December anyway.

Western Bluebird

Most of the pics today were taken by the other member of the "Las Aventuras" team.....Micheal Ada.  I wasn't feeling up to photography on this day.  I just wanted to bird and relax:)  But I was still demanding:)  "Get that angle!"  "No!!!!  Aim and zoom on this one!"  Oh I can be a mess sometimes:)

Williamson's Sapsucker(male)

Setting goals for the new year relaxes my mind a bit.  It's all about pushing it to the next step whether it be at home or abroad. And remember......whether it be rain or snow this time of year.........

.....always wear strange non-matching-weather-smart clothing, carry a colorful umbrella on those cloudy gray days......

My nephews Liam and Sawyer

.....and make sure you share it with someone you love.  Until next next time....