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....

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Elf Owl

Last week I scouted high and low to help a friend search for some of his lifebirds.  Sometimes I have feelings about when something epic will happen.  And during this past weekend, we tested the word "epic" out. Gordon Karre came down from Phoenix and together we made a powerful team as we found some of the most special birds around Southern Arizona. 

Yellow-eyed Junco

Gordon took both Kathie and myself on a birding trek around Sunflower and Mt. Ord several weeks ago.  It was an intense day.  He gave us wonderful observation time on Common Black Hawks, Zone-tail Hawks and a Canyon Wren.  Plus I was able to get two more warblers on my Arizona and lifelist!!!  The pressure was on.  Could I do the same for him when he came down to visit?

Gray Squirrel

The answer was yes.  But he also found me several lifebirds in the process!  Together we achieved a fantastic amount of work in one and half days.  We both thought alike and we both have the birding bug.  Over the week, I researched reports and went to sites alone and with Kathie.  I miss my birding buddy. And I'm going to miss her more as she abandons me for the East Coast!!! What nerve that lady has!!!!:) However, I'm heading to Central America over the same time period so it's all good. So I was thankful that we both could do some light birding over the week together before we left off to different places.

Gordon loves lizards and they are pretty amazing creatures.  But I never really think of taking pics of them unless they call my attention.  Our trek to Madera Canyon and Willcox Lake would give him 8 new lifebirds!  And for myself, 4!  One of them was the most epic.  If I'm on the hunt for a particular bird, I will memorize their songs and calls.   They don't even have to make a lot of noise for me to track them down. 

Ornate Tree Lizard

Sparrows are interesting.  Gordon would teach me the call of the Botteri's Sparrow.  Some Sparrows are rather dull and difficult to ID.....just like the flycatchers.  BUT, if you know the calls they make, the ID becomes SUPER easy!  And thankfully, the Botteri's call is a very easy one to ID. I won't forget the ball dropping sound around the fences and grasslands.

Botteri's Sparrow

In the shadows, I saw a strange bird.  I wasn't familiar with this particular bunting, but I knew it was different. And like I do with any new and exciting bird, I began to swear.  I don't even realize I'm doing it until afterwards.  People, including my other half, make fun of me for doing it.  Whatever.  We saw a Varied Bunting!!!  Epic!

Varied Bunting

Blue lit up along the bark of a tree.  Another new lizard I have never seen before!  But something even more magical happened.  We walked a trail at the uppermost parking lot in Madera Canyon.  And epic was about to happen.....

Clark's Spiny Lizard

The unmistakable barking sounds of the Elegant Trogon in a group of trees could be heard nearby!!!  Finally, after many attempts, both Gordon and myself could add this bird to our lifelists.  It was the most satisfying moment of the weekend. The bird flew into Gordon's line of sight and together we watched the bird alone without hundreds of spectators.  After 10 or 15 minutes of observation, the bird quickly disappeared and wasn't seen again on the rest of the trail.  I watched it disappear!!!  I don't know how they do that!!!  A weight was lifted off my shoulders.  We found the Trogon!  After several minutes, many people were on the trail asking about the Trogon and this time, we could say we saw it and watched as the hopeful birder's shoulders slumped.  I felt their pain as it had happened to me so many times before.  Never again. 

Elegant Trogon

My life is now complete:)  I can now relax knowing that the Elf Owl and Elegant Trogon have photo documentation.  It also marks my 2nd graduation in the birding world.  Last year it was hummingbirds.  This year with the Elegant Trogon find, I believe I have reached a new level in birding.  It's now time to study the minute differences between Sandpipers, Sparrows, etc.  There are so many yet to find.  I had a great time birding with Gordon and look forward to many more adventures with him. And as the title to this post suggests, I am finally able to sleep better at night. 

I'm linking to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday.

Those Special Moments

Ladderback Woodpecker

After a nice day hiking, it's great to sit down at someone's birdfeeder and watch the birds come to you!

American Robin

It's relaxing and fun!  Several of these birds featured today were at feeders while others just plopped out of nowhere for a nice viewing.

Painted Redstart

Everything is starting to green up around here and the wildlife is alive and HUNGRY!

As limbs start budding on the trees, squirrels begin eating the new growth.

Today it was about wings and flight.  I sat lazily at the feeders enjoying the wonderful weather watching the Yellow-rumped Warblers(below) treating themselves to some bark butter.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

There's something very special about watching nature up close. 

On this day, I'd introduce Kathie to Mary Jo at Ash Canyon and Mr. Beatty at Miller Canyon. The photo below is from Paton's House near Patagonia.  All of these places ask for donations starting around 5 dollars.  It helps them feed the birds around their properties.

Lazuli Bunting, Lesser Goldfinch

Sometimes finding birds doesn't have to be difficult at all.

Sometimes sitting from a nice chair with a cold drink is all you need to find those normally elusive little birds.

Bushtits

Some pointers for feeding birds in your own yard.  Orioles love fresh oranges, jelly placed in a container, citrus flavored suet, or just plain ol' hummingbird nector(sugar water).  They even make Oriole bird feeders!

Scott's Orioles

The Scott's Orioles were such a fun find at Paton's House.   The male is above and very colorful.  We found the female below at Ash Canyon Bed and Breakfast.

Here you can see a feeder at my Grandmother's house in Wisconsin.  She is wonderful with her birds.

 And she LOVES her Orioles.  Please send positive vibes her way.  She had a stumble over a week ago and while she is doing better, any positive thoughts you can send her way would be appreciated.  While the Orioles pass through Arizona, she awaits their arrival in Wisconsin.  They are, along with the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, just a couple of her favorite birds.  By the end of May, they arrive back into her garden and enjoy her feeders again.

House Finches

Thistle feeders attract your finches and siskins.  Regular seed=the sparrows.  Sunflower seeds attract your cardinals/finches.  And all seed on the ground attracts your doves:)  Peanuts=woodpeckers/nuthatches.  And dried fruits, bark butter=warblers, tanagers, orioles and every bird.  Sugar water=hummingbirds, orioles and bees:) Dried worms=thrushes, bluebirds, thrashers.  Nasty birdbath water attracts them all:)  Your wallet?  Empty:)

Pine Siskin

But the trails call.  And look who we found.  More to come......

Mexican Spotted Owls

For more fun, head over to Birding Is Fun! where you'll find my latest write on birding in Panama!

Sore Eyes

What happens when you search beyond the "Usual Suspects" while birding?

Hutton's Vireo

You get sore eyes searching for new ones!!!!  But boy is it worth it!  These shots were taken at Madera Canyon while a woman was singing a Karen Carpenter song loudly.  I couldn't hear the bird sounds very well because they were drowned out by....."Why do birds, suddenly appear, every time you are near?"  Very sick sense of humor....but I like that song.  And it makes me laugh....now:)

Tree Creeper

So while the audio waves were blocked by this mad singing siren, I had to keep my eyes focused on slight movement.  There were so many little birds flying around that it was once again hard to focus.  I'm finding that there is a certain time when all the little birds flock together and feed.  I was in the hot spot as it all happened around me.

Bridled Titmouse

On this observation, I'd pick up three more for the lifelist:)  The Tree Creeper and Hutton's Vireo were most welcome surprises.....especially the Hutton's Vireo.  I knew the bird was different because of the head formation but I put it out to the ID Bird Gurus and it sparked a long conversation on how this bird gets confused with others.  I got lost in the conversation somewhere but am glad I got that one checked off my list.  Cute bird but it can be one of the difficult ones out there to ID:)

But moving along, I observed this Dark Eyed Junco(below) along with many of his compadres as they fed around the feeders at a local B & B in Madera Canyon.  

Dark Eyed Junco

Always a thrill to watch and never shy to the camera are the lovely and loud Mexican Jays:)

Squirrels, Lesser Goldfinches, Hummingbirds, Wild Turkey were all present.

The little birds make you work.  They are quick, fast and usually in deep shade to get on film or plain old ID.  But after all is said and done, it can be very rewarding.  On this day, I would learn much about behavior.

I want to say that the woman was annoying but she wasn't.  I got a little misty eyed.  I listened to Karen Carpenter as a child on the 8 Track.  She was one of my favorites growing up.  It was my parent's wedding song.  And today it's the featured video.  RIP Karen.  I still listen to your music and apparently so do others:)  More tomorrow....

Setting The Table

Get ready for a post full of random thoughts from an AM car ride to work:) And it's about how we began and where we are now.  Keep in mind the question, "How does one set the table?"  And as a side note before I get started, I just wanted to let everyone know that I'll be working at the Butterfly Magic exhibit in the afternoon at the Tucson Botanical Gardens on October 8th.  Come and stop by!  I'd love to meet you and show you around Southern Arizona's only tropical butterfly exhibit. On a side note, I'll be on vacation this next week heading out to some far away places after the 8th.  I'll be sporadic on blogger as I hopefully discover more incredible things. But until I return, I have lots of fun finds coming your way everyday.

As a kid, I dreamt about magical gardens, meeting strange new people, finding incredible creatures, and learning about what was beyond that next star.

Ladder Back Woodpecker

In college I would feel like I wasn't doing enough.  Not traveling enough. Not knowing enough. I thought it was something I had to fly to by plane, train or automobile.  I didn't know how to start.  I just threw myself carelessly out there. 

But as the years advance, it's about learning the subtle strokes of the painting.  The things we overlook in our lives. The things I now wish I could slow down more. 

Spotted Towhee

It's not being first at the finish line.

House Finch

There is so much chaos and noise all about the world.  We wonder sometimes, "What if?"

Mexican Jay

What if everything was perfect and all we had to do was find that inner calm?  But it's not, is it? We have friends and family who suffer from sickness and terrible situations. It's that chaos that affects us all.

Magnificent Hummingbird

Life is short.  I watched a Civil War show on PBS that showcased just how many people lost their lives during this difficult time in our country's history.  I thought about it more.  It has been well over a hundred years since the event but as a child, I remember that there were older people who had met these survivors and actually had conversations with them.  The last confederate survivor died in 1956.  My Great Grandparents was born in 1899. They came from Germany.  One set of Grandparents were born in 1911 and 1914....which was around the time the automobile was created and introduced to the world. My Grandma lived on dirt roads with horses being the main transportation to and from her village.  Her parents died of Scarlet fever.  She was 14 and moved in with her aunt on the farm.

They are all gone now. The personal stories of the Civil War, WW1, WW2, and Korean war vets have almost completely faded from our current society.  One Grandmother remains and I want to keep her alive forever.  My parents grew up in the 50's and 60's to a different world.  One where cars and the "American dream" would develop further.  You just had to follow the plan and success was guaranteed.  I grew up in the 70's and 80's.  I am the last generation of the group who could ride bikes and play with neighborhood kids before getting snatched up by a stranger.  And in the 80's began the electronic age with Atari.  Kids would begin to stay inside their homes and play video games all day. And it was safer for parents since now they had to worry about society stealing their children out of their own backyards.  A made for TV show called "Adam Walsh" would expose the horrors of child abduction. And so it would begin...obesity. I told you this was random:)

Nuthatch

The 90's seemed a peaceful time of happiness and prosperity. It was the time of suburbs and loss of more habitat.  But at the turn of the century so much would come crashing down around us.  Chaos. Anger.  Loss. Faster electronics making people move faster in their everyday lives. Fruit orchards around the Bay area of California would be replaced by Silicon Valley and the suburbs.  Faster faster faster. 

Vast areas of land as the human population swells are now having to be marked as sacred.  Do not touch.  Land which seemed endless is now measured by the google mapping system of Earth.  Every square inch is being carefully scrutinized to own or protect.  So where does that leave us today?

Acorn Woodpecker

Our younger generations are much more educated on the preservation of nature than I was when it came to  protecting the environment.  But there isn't a sense of security like there was decades ago.  There are no guarantees and if things keep going as they do, a lot more will change.  This isn't political at all.  It's just that it's been happening all along in such subtle ways.  And I wonder about these young students of mine as they raise their families.  What will their kids face 20 or 30 years down the road?  Will all of this still be here for them?  It's not a question of when because it's now.  Today some countries and their states are making the difference and preserving spaces.  Some are not.  The difficulty is that we are all linked to one another environmentally.  We've done it with technology but now we have to do it with Mother Nature.  There is a movement but it is patchy globally.

Because what one place does, affects the other. Mexicans burn their land away which is habitat for the hummers in winter.  What if they don't have that habitat anymore?  Will they come back to Southern Arizona?  It's happening. As I sat in my 45 minute car ride to work, this is what I thought about today.  Is "setting the table?" a proper question to ask when most of us don't even sit down at a table for dinner anymore?