A Walk In The Park

Yellow-rumped Warbler

 When this past weekend arrived, I didn't know what I'd exactly do.  I looked at my calendar and remembered that Tucson's CBC was coming up.  I also had a free ticket for the Reid Park Zoo which gave me an idea. Why not cover the ENTIRE Reid Park area(including the zoo)!?!?

Canvasback

 The Tucson CBC, or Christmas Bird Count, is going to be held this week during my work schedule so I am not able to attend. HOWEVER, if YOU are in the area and interested, click on this link here.  It's a wonderful way to discover great birding spots around town while helping our bird populations around the US.  This will be Rich Hoyer's last CBC for Tucson.  Thank you Rich for all the years you've organized this event. We will miss you. 

Rich is on the left.  This was during an epic trek into Chiapas over a year ago. 

Anyhow, while I can't attend the Tucson CBC this week, I helped scout local patches for the team that will cover my neighborhood.  So I made the decision to do some responsible birding this weekend and kept it local. 

Redhead

 In just under 3 hours, I covered the zoo, outside park ponds and baseball fields finding a nice total of 49 bird species. Lately, I have been less about chasing and more about doing investigative work on known species in areas closer to home. 

Wood Duck

 Plus, I need to save money for pretty much everything which includes 2 out of state treks and one out of country adventure for this year and next.  And of course, there are the other costs like maintaining both home and car:)  As I've said before, there really isn't anything left to chase in Arizona anymore SO I have chosen to bird responsibly.  It's nice to pick and choose where and HOW I'll bird.  

a wintering male Broad-billed Hummingbird

 Reid Park is a wonderful green patch in the middle of the city.  With a variety of vegetation, both desert and exotic, it can be a great place to spot rarities. 

Vermilion Flycatcher

 In fact, I've been spending a lot of time here at our parks.  Last weekend, I spent a quiet count at Agua Caliente Park.  Before that, I went to Ft. Lowell Park, etc etc.  Reid Park is the closest to my home and is probably one of the best spots in town for the most avian diversity. However, I will say that Tanque Verde Wash, Coachline and the Sweetwater Wetlands are pretty darn good as well.   

a captive Blue-crowned Motmot

 Oh I still dream.  I visited the South American aviary and watched the Blue-crowned Motmot.  I wondered if they had updated the motmot complex with the actual name of this bird since it was split into 3 different species this past summer. Somehow I didn't seem to care.  It was a passing thought as I forgot about my surroundings and just enjoyed watching this bird up close under the shadows of the giant bamboo.  Spanish teacher day dreaming............

House Sparrow with Peacock feather

 Meanwhile House Sparrows collected Peacock feathers to build their nests.  I searched and searched for a rare Harris's Sparrow or Golden-crowned Sparrow in the vegetation but didn't have any luck.  

Orange-crowned Warbler

 I searched for rare warblers in several warbler flocks but didn't find anything extraordinary.  I followed up on my rare Tucson Inca Doves that I've been monitoring at the zoo.  It took me awhile but I found them. 

Inca Doves

So while I had fun playing detective at my local patch, I was able to help my Tucson CBC friends for their big counts this week. 

the acrobatic Verdin on Bamboo

While these past two months have been challenging due to health reasons, I have learned how to adapt and find joy with my birds closer to home.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but it is not something that has been easy for me.  I'm still in shock that people elected this guy known as Trump for President....I don't know why anyone would vote for this loser, but they did. It's hard to believe that Clinton won with over 2 million votes and still "lost".  I have to let it go, but watching this all unravel is a nightmare. Anxiety attacks are not fun.  After that election battle, there was a darkness I had never felt before and it is a scary feeling. A Bush in the White House is not the same as a Trump in the White House. I feel like there is a global war building and I can't stop it.  

at the Flamingo exhibit

And then there is work.  I tried managing 180 kids without a break all day long so that I could pay off my student loan early.  Yeah, not going to happen. The body speaks volumes about how much stress we can handle.  Thankfully, that crazy stress will be over by the end of the semester.  The night comes quickly and leaves little time to bird after work which has thrown off my meditation.  When the weekend comes, I sleep whenever I can and bird for a few hours to just....exist.  As the year comes to a close, I'll be heading to the arctic north where I'll gladly don my gloves and scarf.  My mind takes me to icy waters where the snow falls around me. I still have some work to do in Arizona this month with Deborah Vath's CBC.  We'll be taking our youth out and searching for birds next weekend.  Have a great week everyone and until next time.......

Urban Leisure

Great-tailed Grackle

Phoenix.  It's a city full of heat, buildings, highways and people. It's also home to many conventions which includes the Phoenix Comicon.  And it's the only time of year when I stop to take a break from birding.  Well kinda.  

Cast members from Battlestar Galactica, Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell, entertain the crowds with their personal stories.

Some birders have the strength to switch off their birding powers. Meaning they can focus on the wedding, meeting or conversation in which they are presently engaged.  I do not have that control.  While eating breakfast with my brother and friends, I watch little House Sparrows "steal" food from around our tables.  It's amazing how these little birds work their way around people in the deadly heat. And yet somehow they do. 

House Sparrow on the prowl

In fact, the older part of downtown Phoenix really isn't a great place to bird at all. It's amazing that ANY birds can survive the heat.  But wherever dirty humans are; there be birds that thrive from our carelessness. Convention centers bring in hordes of people all year round creating an endless supply of food scraps.  Enter the Great-tailed Grackles, Rock Pigeons, Doves, House Sparrows and........well that's about it:)  Or so I thought.

Out of curiosity and a much needed break from the crowds, I grabbed my gear and headed a block away to a little green oasis in the center of town.  Without a car, I decided to go to the only spot with a tiny grove of trees. Above is the map that details just how much concrete surrounds the hotel.  However, if you take a closer look, there is just a tad bit of green indicating trees, shade, water and.....lawn. This is a perfect migrant trap. Thanks to the skyscraper buildings surrounding this area, shade protects this oasis from the scorching afternoon temps.  On this day, the temp was 105 degrees.  

Looking at a map from on top is helpful, but it doesn't always give the "at level" scale.  Here is the space from ground level.  Why are these pics important?  Let's take a look. Starting from bottom left you'll notice an Anna's Hummingbird feeding from a Penta garden.  Pentas and Coral Fountains(vertical upper right) make great hummingbird plants.  And indeed they were used by both Anna's and Black-chinned Hummers. Also note there is water, grass and tree cover.  When all of these things are present, special types of birds can be found.

Normally this time of year, American Robins can be found at higher altitudes around canyons and mountain tops. BUT on this day, I heard a thrush calling in the concrete jungle.  I traced the song to a tree and discovered a pair of Robins!  Never in a million years did I expect to find these birds here.  It didn't look like they were in any rush to leave the area as they fed in the narrow and shaded grass strips of the park. This kinda stuff blows my mind away.  I've seen the robin thousands of times but this sighting was pretty special.  

the male American Robin

The heat eventually got to this human and it was back to the convention center.  There I hung out with my brother(dressed in the Batman outfit he created) and watched people get excited while having their pictures taken next to him.  He does an amazing job with all that latex stuff.  

It was also great hanging out with my buds Gabi, Justin, Nick and Brian.  Of course, anything that has science fiction mixed up with birds has my full attention.  I purchased several creative pieces of art which include this irritated looking Chewbacca below.  Or as several friends have called him.....Jaybacca:)  I'm not sure where I'll hang these pics, but I'm glad I purchased them:) Whenever you see art that speaks to you, purchase it!  I saw this painting and kept returning to it.....which meant.....buy it!:)

Darrell Driver Fine Art

Also of important note this week, I added a new bird, the Abert's Towhee, to my yard list bringing the total to 42 bird species. Not bad for being in the middle of the city.  AND, I was asked to write an article for Bird Watcher's Digest!  There's always something exciting happening in the bird world and I'm glad to share it with you all. 

And finally, here are some images from the Phoenix area.  Every year, it's tradition to visit the Mute Swans on our way home.  These Mute Swans have attempted to nest over the past two years.  Each time, they have failed. 

juvenile Harris's Hawk

 Maybe coyotes or hawks were to blame for their empty nests?  This time around it looks like there was some human intervention.  They are loved by quite a few people and it looks like they are treated very well. 

The male kept a close eye on me....and I him:)  While this pic below isn't great, it shows that mom and dad are new parents to FIVE goslings!  Congrats!  I like to keep my distance from any type of nest, but it was fun hanging out with the flock for awhile. 

Hope you have a great week and stay tuned for more:)  Don't forget to check out Wild Bird Wednesday(upper left link) and Hootin' Anni's Chronicles. 

From The Darkness We Rise

A first time photo of a Ross's Goose at Las Aventuras.  While I've seen this bird many times, I haven't been within photo range. Note smaller bill sans the "smile" of the similar looking Snow Goose

Days free are spent on the road before the sun rises.  It's really one of the truly peaceful times before dawn breaks.  No waiting, chasing, or wondering if that rare bird will show up. It's just getting there while listening to the radio with my hot cup of coffee. As the sun begins to rise, a man with his crazy obsession for birds begins yet another quest. How will this day shape up?

A ray of light shines hope on our search for the Brown Thrasher

Once I arrive, I scan the dark path ahead. It's enveloped by fog. Rabbits and mice scamper across the trails. No humans anywhere to be seen except near the entrance where old men have decided to meet for coffee.  Warm mist rises from the waters. It's here I stand in the chilly air watching geese bathe.  My first target bird(the Ross's Goose) is revealed. I snap my pics behind a bush as I watch this beautiful bird preen its feathers. Early morning is a precious and finite time period with birds. One can't spend too much time on one bird without risking the dreaded dip on other target birds! Birds will "park" themselves in one spot overnight before taking off the next day. I had to move quickly and find the elusive Brown Thrasher.  Like most thrashers, they are much more visible and vocal during the earlier hours of day. 

Gila Woodpecker

I stand with another birder as we wait.....and wait.....and wait for this bird. It's almost a requirement for this particular bird.  Finally, the bird makes a brief appearance several times and then disappears for good. While not the best views I've had of a Brown Thrasher, I decide to move on. I am able to add it onto my Arizona list. 

The San Pedro River flows!

Another trail.  Another bird. This time, I went looking for a feral Ring-necked Pheasant.  Birders suspect that someone released this bird within the city of Gilbert. For several weeks, this bird has done well in this human created riparian area.  This is definitely not a common bird around Arizona except maybe along the agricultural fields of the Yuma/California border. 

Anna's Hummingbird

Blackbirds have put on some amazing shows this past week. They always flock in great numbers.  Sometimes a Cooper's Hawk chases them.  Other times it's the Northern Harrier.

Mixed flock of Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds

Hundreds of years ago, people wrote about millions of birds clouding the skies for days! never allowing the sun a chance to shine on the people below.  Can you imagine? 

Yellow-headed Blackbirds at sunset

In Tucson, Yellow-headed Blackbirds will flock in the thousands.  And there's nothing quite like getting caught up in the middle of their microburst.  

Meanwhile, the photographer has to put his camera down for the moment or he fears the risk of losing that brief sighting of a rare bird.  It can be a bit frustrating at times, but he knows that not every bird will pose nicely. 

House Sparrow

Understanding the meaning behind "competitive" birding has been quite the learning experience. It's a huge commitment of time. Artist and photographer have to sometimes take a back seat. Home improvements are put on hold (some of the cleaning may not always get done).  Money goes towards gas and travel instead of clothes and other fancy things.  Evenings are spent planning.  Mornings are early to rise.   

Northern Flicker

But when December 31st arrives, this birder will wake up on January 1st a normal man again. Or so he says....:)

Neotropic Cormorant

So I chase the silly birds, the real birds(the ABA kinds) and everything else in between.  If it has wings, it's game. And between breaks, I stop and take it all in. What an incredible journey!

Domestic variety of Muscovy Duck

So as the month of December continues and the birding gets extremely competitive, I remember several things to keep my sanity. It's all about the friendships, birds and experiences gained.  

Huachuca Canyon

At one point this weekend, we couldn't bird anymore.  The rain began to fall and I stood there smiling. Perfection.  As the darkness takes over, I prepare to rise again.  Each day with a new challenge.  Each day a reminder that life is truly wonderful. 

I've been into doing video clips while on my trips.  Here's the latest creative endeavor from my phone.  Music from the Mockingjay.  The song is called, "The Hanging Tree."  Until next time.....

El Presidio Friends



Northern Cardinal

 I began planting the plants.  And then I began feeding the birds.  I discovered all the tricks to get them to our home. Water. Seed. Fruit. Nuts. Nectar. Feeders.  It's the secret to attracting incredible birds.


An angry Northern Mockingbird

 Our yard in Midtown Tucson has come alive over the past year as regular birds visit while new ones stop by.

Yellow Warbler

I woke up early one morning and heard the unmistakable call of the Yellow Warbler in our Mesquite tree.  I hadn't thought it possible and yet, there he was!  Magnificent!

I've placed dead wood branches behind the fence where I believe several Northern Cardinals are nesting!

Curve-billed Thrasher

At the dawn and dusk of El Presidio, the Curve-billed Thrasher jets around quickly on the edges of the garden.

Verdin

A Verdin stops by for a quick sip from the hummingbird feeder.

The female Anna's Hummingbird counters the feeder opposite to that of the Verdin.

White-winged Dove-they make a mess!!!

As the Mourning Dove population decreases, the White-wing Dove populations increase.

Great-tailed Grackle

Great-tail grackles fly into our old Live Oaks.

                                       Hummingbirds nest. And watch guard over their babies.

Female Anna's Hummingbird nesting in our Live Oaks

My parents give me a snowman sunflower feeder to attract the Northern Cardinal.  When one comes, I jump for joy.  When they stay to nest, I'm honored.

House sparrows cover tree branches like a cloud of hershey kisses.

 House finches sound off one by one as they wait for me in the morning to fill their feeders. Sometimes dropping down impatiently to grab that first morning seed.

 A Northern Mockingbird takes a quick sip from the nasty bird bathe.  Instead of leaving like he did in years past, he stays with a partner and irritates the visiting Red-tail Hawks.

 Mourning doves bend branches and look inside my house.

I become frustrated that everyone has Lesser Goldfinches in their yards.....but me.  I buy a thistle feeder and two days later, Lesser Goldfinches enter El Presidio grounds for the first time.

This year a Common Raven flew over our house.  It was early morning and made me smile.  Yet another bird!

Each day is a new one.  I live in a nasty neighborhood that has nothing around it.  When I made an oasis, the birds began to make our place home.  Our running water fountain is a quick drink for many of our birds. Hummingbirds zip up and down catching bugs.

And when there aren't any birds around?  We know Mr. Cooper is in the hood!  It just proves that any place can become a refuge.  Create it and they will come!

For more fun, check Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday featuring birds from all over the world.  More to come.....