A Birder's Holiday Tree

Happy Holidays!  May you have a safe and wonderful time with your family and friends.  

 Imagine if birds were a holiday tree.  You'd need to put up the lights and make sure every color would be represented.  The rule?  Use only the birds found in your area.   Here is what my bird tree would look like.......

I'd include all my pinks, blues, yellows, and reds......

......and there would be varying colors and shades of the same colors.

And what about that glowing angel on top of the tree?  I think I found one below:)

The simple truth is that there are too many choices that .....

....sparkle, glow and shine!

    I was only getting warmed up this past year.  But the new year will explode with new discoveries!

But there are just too many choices for one tree and I have 5 cats so......

I think that this may be a bad idea:)

All the shots were taken over this past year and were exciting finds. What would your bird holiday tree look like? 

When Does It Count?

Counting birds is a very important thing.  It tells us about healthy populations, where a bird is seen, or if a bird is threatened or dropping in numbers.  It's also fun to do.  Every bird has a specific behavior and personality.  And it makes observation so much fun.

But there are times when you see a bird that is a hybrid, domestic waterfowl, or exotic invasive species....like  the Monk or Lovebird species found in and around the Phoenix areas. Only recently have the Rosy faced Lovebirds been added to the ABA list as birds that you can count(and add to your lifelist:)  Could it be that the populations have been expanding and growing since their discovery in 1987?  However, you can only count this bird in Phoenix,AZ.  Many people will be flying from all over the country to get this "tick" on their birdlists:)

On EBIRD or Audubon, you can't always count these birds.  They are wild.  They fly free.  So where do they belong? There are categories for birds like the Coopers or Sharp-shinned that can sometimes blur if the bird is far far away and you can't distinguish the various field markings.  My issue happened when I found Muscovy ducks in Tucson.  They are considered wild domestic waterfowl....and yet they fly free.  Muscovy are found in Mexico but when I brought up the topic with birders, I hadn't expected a firestorm of responses.  Several counties in Texas and Florida allow you to count them but they are clearly found all over the States.  Some birders said, "Count them!"  while others said, "Sorry....you can't count them."  I found it all fascinating.

Do we count?

Here are some things I've asked myself while observing birders out in the field. The questions are not only technical but philosophical.  If they don't count on a lifelist, where do they belong? And do they even matter?  I'll leave you with that parting thought.  More tomorrow....  

Dark Skies

Cholla Cactus at Sunset

Black Vultures.  My big break with the rare bird alert people/gurus.  And then it happened. I felt legit as a birder.   Rare for Tucson this time of year, I found over 50 in an area near the recharge ponds in Avra Valley on Mile Wide Road.  But they wouldn't believe me unless I took my pictures!

And so it began.  It wasn't the Groove Bill Ani I was chasing that would get me on the rare bird alert...but the Black Vulture!  Of all birds that would get me notice, it would be Black Vultures!  And they weren't even a lifebird for me! You never know when or where luck will strike, but I'll take it:)  I scheduled my morning to find the Crested Caracaras, Ani, and Northern Parula.  2 of the 3 birds I'd find, but forget about the Caracaras. 

It was an early morning to be on the road alone.  But I drove listening to inspirational music to keep my spirits high.  It was cold and I was almost at my destination when these birds flew out from under a bridge.  I nearly crapped myself.  What the.....??!!!

I got out of the car and smiled from ear to ear.  This was one for the record books.  10 had been reported but I counted over 50 around the area.  Which could have meant only one thing.  Death.

Black Vultures

I parked my car and prayed to the gods that it not be a human.  It went something like this, "Please please please let this not be a person."  I held my cell phone close.  You see, in Arizona anything is possible.  It may sound funny in this writing but I assure you....it's not. I prepare for that mentally everytime I go to strange and isolated areas.  And I am now thankful that I have a cell.

I walk closer to the bridge but something spooks the birds.  I hear howling and yipping.

The mass of vultures fly off and I spot why they're quick to leave.  Cell phone is held closer.  This time it's on.

I take a pic of them on the line and I see coyotes running from under the bridge.

The question is.....what in the world is this?  I am still puzzled.  The Vultures were there for the carcass, but is this a coyote?  I didn't want to get too close because the ravine was deep.  Were the coyotes feeding on this carcass or were they mourning the loss of a member from their pack?  I left the scene just as confused as I had been when I got there.  Whatever happened, I made it on the rare bird alert watch.  However I was lectured about my JPEG size when submitting photos:) I guess I'll never win:) But all that's goofy nonsense.  What do you think really happened here?

More tomorrow....

Art With Art

Female Anna's Hummingbird

Here's the female Anna's Hummingbird.  It may be "winter" in Arizona but these year long residents visit our feeders often in Tucson.

If life imitates art, then perhaps this is a perfect example.

I was chatting with Kathie and waiting for her to get her tea all prepped for our trip.  And while she was getting everything all together, I saw her hummingbird feeder busy with activity.

It was surprising because I can never get the hummers to come to these glamorous feeders.  They tend to like the cheap ones, but the key here was that this was in the shade.  And that made all the difference in the world.

Get ready for some incredible fun coming up on Las Aventuras. Let's have a kiki!  December is just warming up. Let the festivities begin.....

"Peep" Show

Long-billed Dowitchers

As a beginning birder earlier this year, I'd hear the word "peeps" used on a regular basis.  I had NO idea what that meant until I asked a birder.  From my Wisconsin viewpoint, I thought it meant "buddies" as in "my peeps" or my peers!

In the field, it's hard to ID small birds from a distance, but we know they're out there.  They are small birds that normally consist of sandpipers, snipes etc.  We can see them flying but we can't ID them.   At that point, these birds are all lumped into the category known as peeps.

What was special about Gilbert Water Ranch was that we could get up and close to these birds without them flying off from us!  And we just sat watching these incredible birds walk right past us near the shore.

Black Neck Stilt

It was an exciting morning as Kathie and I sat on the shore counting and ID'ing birds. Lighting is a constant challenge in Arizona as the sun is very bright, but I am happy with the results.

Least Sandpipers

The nicest part was watching the Sandpipers up close and observing their behaviors. But I also had other surprises.

The Green Heron below was hunting.  These particular herons are the trickiest to capture on camera and I was thrilled to peer from a bush with Kathie and watch the bird stalk its food.

Green Heron

The Black Neck Stilts were also important.  I have not been able to get a nice clear shot for a long time.  My fingers fumbled through the triggers on my camera as I was overwhelmed with closeup shots.  One bird species would pass and another would distract!  No fair!

Had it not been for Kathie's eye, I would not have been able to spot the Wilson's Snipe.  It was a total thrill to strain my eyes and lens to find this one.  With the bright sun and various browns, I almost missed out on this bird. Now if I go out into the field, I'll have a better eye for this species.

Wilson's Snipe

The "Peep" show was out of this world!  I highly recommend this preserve in Gilbert for birders/nature enthusiasts visiting Arizona.  If you're stuck in Phoenix and wanting to connect with the outdoors, this is the perfect place.  There are bathrooms and more importantly......drinking fountains at the entrance.  People forget how hot it gets in AZ(even in winter) and don't prepare for the water situation.  At least here you have a quick rescue nearby if you get thirsty:) I find that while birding I forget to drink enough water and then get light headed.  That's when I sit down in the shade and refuel.

Here is a random thought to end this post.  The opening and closing shots of the Dowitchers are my favorites from this series.  I was thinking about framing them and putting them in the bathroom.  And I can't tell you why I thought this but I want to do it.  But back to the subject.  If you're into "Peep" shows and live here, I highly recommend the Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch.  From a photographers point of view, this place will give you PRIMO views!

And for those of you from the Phoenix area, I don't mean to upset:)  Tucson and Phoenix residents have definite opinions about the "other" city and these posts are written in a fun manner. But I always write from my Wisconsin point of view and consider this blog as a way to share potential issues for snowbirders and our many winter visitors that come to visit AZ this time of year.  I lived in Phoenix.  Once:)  But Tucson stole my heart.  Remember to always lock your car on bird/wildlife outings, use sunscreen, bring plenty of water and a hat.  Kathie and I both talk about securing things up all the time whether we are in Tucson or Phoenix on our missions.  I now have a cell phone because of that drug run in from Montosa Canyon near Green Valley this past summer.  So remember to be smart wherever you go and keep an eye open for suspicious activity.  Arizona is a beautiful state but in many ways it still can be quite wild and random....partly due to the border being nearby.  But don't let that stop you from the outdoors:)  Think of my attitude towards Phoenix like that of the Sun Devils vs. The Wildcats.  It's all done in jest:)  Well maybe not the Jan Brewer bits:)  I'm no longer living in the safe and comfortable world of the Shire, but I'll take a walk on the wild side to be a part of this crazy state. More tomorrow....

The American Kestrel

 The American Kestrel is a tiny little warrior that has no fear.  He will go after and attack the Harris Hawk until the bird moves off his branch.

The smallest of falcons and raptors, it is sometimes known better as a Sparrow Hawk.  But here in Tucson, we call these little beauties the American Kestrel.

Sometimes I wish I could include these pics with everything else, but I have a number limit of pics per post.  Sometimes I break it; most of the times I don't.  This series of shots today are specific to the magic of Kestrel Kiting.

I was absolutely enthralled by the bird just lifting off the branch and "floating".   It would also mark the closest I've gotten to clear shots of this bird.  I've attempted to capture them on camera over the past several outings but it would be this day that I'd get detailed images....part of which had to do with the lighting.

I think Kathie is the Kestrel Whisperer.  I have been birding for a year now and hadn't seen this bird before.  And then Kathie moves back to Tucson and I see them on every outing!  They will sometimes soar to great heights making them difficult to spot.

I love how they will just rise and hover from the branch without any effort.  It's quite magical.  Imagine if you could just float from where you're standing.

Watch out little bunny.  You could be dinner:)

Danger! A battle begins and birds clear the airways for hawks, falcons and kestrels alike.  Birds of Prey are some of my favorites to observe on my bird outings.  More tomorrow....

Kestrel