Hummingbird Crossing

Trapped by the heat of summer and covid, I carefully plan my outings.  There are some really amazing birds that show up around town during this time of year.  Migration starts picking up. 

Shorebirds, hummingbirds and warblers are just a few of the amazing birds that pass through Arizona this time of year. Often, I give myself 20 minutes for a rare bird in this heat.  Shorebirds and water birds can be done from the car.  And hummingbirds?  Well, they can be done under the shade of a tree. 

The best time of year to visit Southeastern Arizona for hummingbirds is during the months of August and September.  Some hummingbirds are nesting while others are trying to get back to their wintering grounds. The arrival of some species like the Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds are signals that the end of summer is near.  

Right now, Rufous Hummingbirds are in great numbers as they push their way down south.  These hummers breed all the way up in Alaska. The males are the first to migrate in July followed by the juveniles and females. 

Some hummingbirds like the Violet-crowned Hummingbird(below) are working on their 3rd nest for the summer.  This southeastern Arizona specialty makes a lovely nest using lichen. 

Anna's Hummingbirds rule the land.  These year round locals zip in and out of all the hummingbird action around the feeders. Eventually, they'll have the feeders alone again.  But right now it's competition for the nectar. 

Birders go crazy for the next specialty, the White-eared Hummingbird.  We have a few breeding birds here in southeastern Arizona.  There aren't many as this is the northern most range for this species, but they get birders excited.  Soon, they will be heading home. 

This male Anna's Hummingbird(below) watches the incredible flurry of activity between feeders.  He carefully calculates how he'll get to a feeder without being chased off by a Rufous Hummingbird. 

Another hummingbird that birders want to see is the Lucifer Hummingbird.  This time of year is a great time to visit.  They all like to congregate around the feeders together.  

The Black-chinned Hummingbirds make their move back to their wintering grounds. 

This female Lucifer Hummingbird has finished nesting.  She competes with her offspring for the nectar. 

Because it's so hot this time of year, I find watching hummingbirds a much better option.  You can do it high up in the mountains like Summerhaven.  Or at any place with feeders.  It's pretty exciting to see how many species of hummers will show up.  On our day out, we had TEN species! Some of the best places to observe all these hummingbirds are in Portal, the Huachuca, Catalina and Santa Rita mountains. Places like the Santa Rita Lodge, Beatty's and Ash Canyon are definitely places to check out. 

Sometimes you don't have to go far.  Here is a nest from my garden.  The female Broad-billed Hummingbird is on her last nest for the season.  

She builds a tea cup sized nest. 

Only 2 eggs fit in this tiny nest.  It takes about 14 days for the eggs to hatch. 

Then it takes another 15 days for the hummingbirds to fledge. 

She positions herself in different ways.  When she sits on the eggs, the Broad-billed female sits higher up.  When they hatch, she sits lower inside the nest.  Right now, the babies are TINY.  

Random birds show up.  Often while I'm working.  And even though I'm online now, it doesn't mean I can just go!  I'm at work looking at people via a webcam monitor.  During this time of year, I think about all the amazing birding happening in the state of Arizona.  I hope for cooler temps.  And I hope that there will be a vaccine by the end of the year.  I watch our hummingbirds head back home and I think about their exciting journeys to Mexico, Central and South America. And I also think about how fortunate I am to live in such an amazing place for birds like Arizona.  Until next time.....

Devotion

Miller Canyon

Now that summer is upon me.  I can begin to devote my time towards the study of birds.  It is not enough to just see, photograph or hear a bird.....

Curve-billed Thrasher on Saguaro Cactus

It's understanding the ecosystem better, recognizing the calls, and working with others.  Many early mornings have been gladly sacrificed for these incredible birds.  My mother, in her 40's, turned into a crazy bird lady specifically working with parrots from our home.  I honestly laughed and enjoyed watching her feed baby Monk Parakeets on our cupboard.  She'd place the syringes full of the fruity goo into their hungry little beaks while we helped keep an eye on the others.  When friends came over, they would laugh at our loud birds.  They would also mention that our home sounded like the Amazon rain forest.  Not that they'd ever been...... 

Purple Martins

I had a hard time keeping parrots, parakeets, and lovebirds in their cages.  I always left the cage door unlocked or cracked open so that they could fly or walk to wherever they needed to go.  But I wasn't INTO birds.  I wonder if there was a secret gene waiting to be activated....just like it did for my mother.  

Summer Tanager

I've always had the desire and passion to travel and garden.  I've always loved wildlife.  But this need to really really understand birds?  I just don't understand it.  I just know that they are on my mind constantly.  Sometimes I wish I could just shut it off.  And I'm not alone.  There are several within this social circle that are just as addicted as I am.  Addicts encouraging each other to do better.  To see better.  To hear better.  And just be better birders.

In St. David searching for the Mississippi Kite

Recently, we met up with a mother and daughter team from Washington state for a special focus on the Montezuma Quail.  Bruce Berman invited me to tag along and help out in the search.  I've heard these birds often and I've even waited for them quietly to make an appearance. One blew by my head once, but they never had given me any great visuals. It's one of the most difficult birds to observe in the wild, but we were determined to hike and find these birds once and for all. But nothing would shock us more than to discover the mother in our group was 90 years old! Both mother and daughter conditioned their bodies during the winter months to prepare for this steep and rocky hike. Now that's dedication!

A Montezuma Quail call could be heard from the canyon's hillside. Everyone put their scope, binoculars and cameras up. It was very very close. For this bird, one has to stand perfectly still and scrutinize every detail in the landscape.  This quail often surprises birders by shooting straight up from the grasses.  One sat still only inches away from me before exploding from the rocks.  Heart attack?  Thankfully not this time. 

But the reveal would happen.  I heard the male's distinct call.  And I searched the spot from where I heard the call.  Like many other moments before, I held my breathe and waited........and waited.  A "rock" bounced up and a moment happened.  Don't move. Don't breathe.  Stay forever in my mind. 

Montezuma Quail

 Eventually, everyone got their binos on the bird.  Then I heard several more calling nearby.  We moved further on down the trail where the quail would silently watch us from the rocks......and we'd silently watch them back.

White-eared Hummingbird

 After our epic Montezuma Quail finds as what is called my many birders as the "Quail Valhalla Trail", the group disbanded and went to grab breakfast before hitting another trail in Miller Canyon. 

Buff-breasted Flycatcher

 Our target bird would the nesting Northern Goshawk.  This would be a lifer for me, but to be honest, I was fascinated by all specialty birds nesting along the trails!  We found Western Tanagers, Buff-bellied Flycatchers, Northern Pygmy Owls, Greater Pewees, Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, a White-eared hummingbird, and of course the Northern Goshawks.  For many birders, these birds are high on their list of "must sees" when they come to visit.  On this day, we would find all of them casually flitting around branches or rock. 

Painted Redstart

 I'd like to dedicate this post to three very special people.  First to Bruce Berman for inviting me along on this wonderful hike.  And finally to the mother/daughter team from Washington state.  Jackie and Annie, you both inspired me with your birder dedication.  I've met 70-somethings on the trails, but to hike with a 90 year old is a real honor.  I am not worthy.  Jackie, you make me believe that anything is possible. Annie, you are a wonderful daughter. I can only imagine the adventures you have while on the road together.  Very few things surprise me these days.  This was one that still lingers freshly in my mind.  And it will be part of my Montezuma Quail story.  Until next time.....

Northern Goshawk

For more stories of birds from around the world check out Wild Bird Wednesday.

El Tenedor Del Cerro

Further into dreams, we walked.  A hill created of thoughts and ideas overlooking the city of Antigua, Guatemala

White-eared Hummingbird

Sometimes I have to stop and pull away from the birds and absorb the spaces I'm birding. 

Many of the images were haunting as we strolled this park known as El Tenedor Del Cerro(or the Hill's Fork).  This lush outdoor gallery showcases the many works of Guatemalan artists.

However, the heart of this park is based from the works of Efrain Recinos.  He passed away in 2011 but left quite a bit of his imagery behind for future generations to ponder.

In his work, he utilized lots of birds and soul devouring statues.  The image above was haunting.  What was he trying to say here?  The Resplendent Quetzal, Guatemala's national symbol and pride is shown in this ghostly form.

Then we come across many of these demonic images. It's like he actually captured evil spirits and put them inside of his work.  Talk about creepy. 

While we were at this park, we were able to play with birds.  Or they were able to play with our things.  Lynda and I had a great lunch on top of this hill overlooking the city. Now the parrots in the pic above seem to like me but really they were only interested in my buttons, zippers, and little metal pieces found around my gear.

There was a little boy fascinated by the birds.  He began to ask questions and instead of the people handling the parrots answering them, I had unintentionally taken over the job. They didn't have the answers and I took over because my Mother raised parrots and finches growing up.....and I could answer them.  I became so excited that I didn't realize what I had done until after the incident.

Notice the "hands" for feet

Spanish, birds, wildlife......

How does this picture make you feel?

I thank my Mom for exposing me to parrots and finches while I was in high school.  I didn't realize how this would all turn out in my life, but it seems one natural progression is turning into another. If it's one thing that El Tenedor Del Cerro does, it makes one think about random things. More to come.....

The Hoot Suite

Blue-throated Hummingbird

Written the first week of June before the Guatemala trip. I should have been getting ready to pack, but instead I went into full birder mode before my trip to Guatemala. Is that terrible?  I promise those posts are coming up.  But I couldn't sleep at night knowing there were birds out there that would be gone by the time I got back.  I've noticed that the White-eared Hummingbird stops by for a brief month visit and then leaves elsewhere.  This year I didn't want to miss that visit and hung out at the hummingbird feeders.

White-eared Hummingbird (Lifebird 340)

I would have to say that this was one of my favorite days birding.  Pat was able to come along with me and see some amazing birds.  The White-eared Hummer flew quickly and near to me.  I had my eye out for this one as he would be the next new hummingbird to add to my hummingbird list.  If you'd like to see my Charm of Hummingbirds from last year, click on the link here.  You want hummingbirds?  Come to Southern Arizona.  They're all waiting for you:)

Magnificent Hummingbird

There was a man from the East coast with his wife at the CAS(the hummingbird feeder area) at Beatty's Guest Ranch.  It's the number one spot to see many of our North American hummingbirds.  Ash Canyon with Mary Jo also has a few others not seen up at Beatty's like the Lucifer Hummingbird.  Each place asks for 5 dollars to help fill those feeders etc. I sure do appreciate their generosity by allowing us a better glimpse at some of the rarer jewels found in the Huachuca mountains.  The visiting man was extremely nice and I helped him find his Blue-throated Hummingbird.  It's fun helping people find lifebirds. Normally it's the other way around:)   Their faces and expressions make me happy.  So what could be better than hummingbirds?  Do you really need to ask?

Look closely at the tree.  Past the blue throated lizard.  Beyond the gnarly branches.  Just below the second branch.

Life's little miracles.  Two Northern Pygmy Owlets are just about to explore our big world.   My smile was wide.  It was lifebird number 341.  Owls!

Northern Pygmy Owls(Lifebird 341)

For 30 minutes, we watched and watched the antics of these two little ones.

Some people find their target birds and quickly move off to see their next one.  Not me.  I watch until I can't watch anymore.  And sometimes that interferes with finding the other target birds.  There were 5 in Miller Canyon.  I dipped on the Northern Goshawk and Montezuma Quail.  I could hear them close by but I really wanted to see these Northern Pygmy Owls.

Owls make me so happy.   Like the man finding his Blue-throated Hummingbird, I smiled and smiled and smiled the whole time observing these little birds.   These owlets will grow to be just a little bigger than the Elf Owls.  Here's the Elf Owl below.  They are really tiny!  The pic makes them look bigger than they really are. I put the above shot of the tree to show you just how small these little holes in the trees can be.  The only way I can track them are with my ears.  If they don't make a sound, I'll walk right by them.

Elf Owl at Madera Canyon

There's a trick to owling.  I'm learning how to do it better.  Obviously the best(and easiest!) times to find them all are when they are nesting.  That's why this trip was important.  By the time I came back from Guatemala, they would have been gone.  These little birds are about to fledge.

I love all birds, but I am not embarrassed to say that I love owls and hummingbirds more.  Every bird has their place and beauty.  I see that every time I'm out looking for birds.  Even Turkey Vultures are majestic birds.

But there is something about the grace, intelligence, and gentle beauty of the owl that makes me fall in love with them everytime I see them.  Had Pat not spotted this Mexican Spotted Owl, I would have walked right past him:)  On this birdy outing, we had a beautiful hike up Miller Canyon.

Mexican Spotted Owl