From Out of Nowhere

Northern Harrier

Whether it be with another birder like Kathie or alone, I sometimes think to myself that it won't be very "birdy" when I first arrive at my destination.   Thankfully, I have lots of experience to suggest that giving "it time" will be full of great reveals.

The Whitewater Draw

The scenery, of course, is gorgeous and can draw your attention away from the action.  But I listen carefully for bird sounds and wait.  A burst of bird energy will surface and then all birds will be up in the air at once!

Blackbirds

These Blackbirds for example came in droves by the hundreds and then quickly disappeared.  I snapped as many shots as I could get so that I could ID them at home.  The flocks were full of Yellow Headed Blackbirds and Red Wing Blackbirds.  But there were others mixed in as well:)

Yellow Headed Blackbirds in flight

And so on this day at the Whitewater Draw, I thought I may not get a new lifebird until a group of birds came at me from out of nowhere!  Finding lifebirds is incredibly exciting and when that moment happens, all I do is snap pictures with an incredible focus.  I don't necessarily know what they are specifically at first but I have my bird guide close by after the shoot to research.

Eared Grebes in flight

Today it would be birds from the "Grebe" family.  Were they Western or the Eared Grebe?  Great question.

Eared Grebes

The first thing I do is check the Whitewater Bird List and write down the Grebes reported in the area.  Then I open my bird book and study the pictures both in the bird guide and on my camera.

For these birds, it took the markings on the wings to help me ID.  These were the Eared Grebes.  I observed for about 40 minutes as they dove in and out of the water.  They were quite cute and "playful".

Afterwards, I felt satisfied leaving the area knowing I added a new bird to my list. Several birders from Vermont were looking at a bird up in the rafters.  The woman declared it was a Western Kingbird and argued strongly with her mates.

Is this a Say's Phoebe or Western Kingbird?  What say you?

The men stood their grounds and thought it was a Say's Phoebe.

Can you tell which bird this is?

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

The Western Kingbird

As far as Kingbirds go, I haven't a clue.  They all look the same to me with variations of yellow on their fronts:)  So if you're an advanced birder of special powers and think I've got the bird all wrong, please let me know.  I won't be upset:)  This blogging experience is about learning and growing from one another. But the one thing I do know for certain is that these birds were a fun spot the day I went searching for Buntings:)  A happy accident:) But from what I can tell, this is the Western Kingbird. Or maybe it's the Tropical Kingbird?  Help me birders:)

I said to myself as I approached the bridge near the Santa Cruz river in Tucson, "Hello there, what are you?" Then I got closer and noticed more of them together!  I had definitely not seen this bird in Tucson before.  So indeed, it was a lifer. Perhaps one of those birds that people say, "Oh you've never seen that bird before?  I see them here all the time."

Again, I was alone on this hot and moist day, but I was able to get very close to this bird.  The Kingbird was the size of a Robin or Curve Billed Thrasher.  And when it flew, I smiled.  So graceful.  There were 4 of them that sat on fence lines along the wash.

Western Kingbirds are not really desert birds. Their presence in the Sonoran Desert is dependent on better watered habitats. Look for them along fences and utility wires in agricultural districts. They can also be found in semi-open riparian and grassland habitats. Riparian zones with more trees tend to favor the similar-looking Cassin's Kingbird. They are sometimes found in urban areas of Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona. Source

Kingbirds are active hunters of flying insects and will target quite large ones such as cicadas. Their upright posture is typical of flycatchers.  And there were a lot of bugs that day.  This summer has been difficult on my legs with all the chiggers and mosquitoes.

The Western Kingbird(and Tropical Kingbird) is a summer breeding visitor to the mountains around Tucson, preferring tree lined creek sides.  But because of a crazy monsoon storm, they were found along the heavily tree'd Santa Cruz River. With summer coming to a close, they will be flying off for tropical locations this winter.  And like this bird suggests, it's time to fly!  More tomorrow.

Drop Off Point

Swallows have been the fun birds to capture this year.  I had to get out and bird.  I began my job again after a long hot summer and just needed to unwind.  So I headed on the way home and stopped off at Sweetwater for a short hour walk in the afternoon heat.  I never know what to expect at this place and came prepared.

I remember saying before that I may never get Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, Cliff Swallows or Swallow anything.  They're so quick.  So fast.  But these baby birds need feeding which require the adults to feed them:)  And that is how I got to get close and personal with my subjects.

The key to taking pics of swallows is tracking their flight patterns.  It's like clockwork.  Juvenile flaps wings and says, "AH AH!" and moments later the parent quickly flies by and deposits food into their mouths. Several minutes pass by and the juvenile gives me, inadvertantly, the warning that someone is coming to feed them.  And like clockwork the parent shows up and does it all over again.

I was pretty excited about this shoot until I saw the epic photography by Warren.  You want up close and personal?  Click here.  I still am amazed by his photography of these beautiful birds.

So I have changed my tune from, "It's impossible to capture swallows in Tucson." to "It's completely possible."

One more round.....

.....and yet another......

....until the sweat and heat are too much for me.  And it's time to call it a wrap.

I wait one last time until the parent swallow flies off and then I go home.

                                         

Hummingbirds

My first hummingbird pic ever....very exciting.  These guys are quick!

Taking a break before my last series of garden journals, I wanted to take you all to a place that is beyond beautiful....the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.  This is a world class arboretum and I hope you'll enjoy my visit from back in March.  There's too much to cover in one post so I'll break it up into several writes over the next few days.  One of the things you'll notice at BTA is that it is a bird refuge and attracts all kinds of feathered friends to their beautiful garden paradise.  BTA offers several features that birds love......shade, bird friendly bushes, hummingbird feeders, a beautiful manmade stream and lake, and places for birds to nest. Located near Superior, AZ, BTA does not disappoint the desert enthusiast.  Let's take a look at several of the hummingbirds in the area along with several other shots of birds that I found flying around this magical botanical garden.  If you are a birder, this is definitely a place to stop and visit.   So you may ask me what all these hummers are called and I am not going to lie....I haven't a clue.  It looks like there are at least 3 kinds...maybe 4?  The only thing I know is that I was on a mission to snap pics of the hummingbird....and I did.  Next time I will learn to identify. Birding is a serious business as I run into birders all the time while identifying plants.  See if you can name these beautiful birds.  What's even more confusing is that the males and females are all different looking....I'm not a birder, but I do appreciate birds.

Anna's Hummingbird

The throat of that hummingbird in the background is stunning.

Adorable.  Hummingbirds are territorial and will fly right at you. 

While waiting for the shots, a pretty blue hummingbird would kick the rest of them off the feeder to keep it free for its own drink.

 I heard this bird scratching in the leaves and I started laughing.  It reminded me of my cats using the kitty litter.

Cute little thing. Scratch scratch.  Scratch scratch.

I loved the creek that ran along this part of the trail.  It was really relaxing and beautiful to watch all the birds flying around.

This is the hummingbird I mentioned several pics back.  This blue guy was very aggressive with the other hummers. What is the name of this hummingbird?

Below is an example of my shaky hands....to get hummingbirds with a quick shot, I have to keep my camera balanced on a branch or somewhere stable.

Patience patience patience....and SNAP!

Broad billed Hummingbird?

Until tomorrow.....