Moonlight Sonata

Sacred perfection.  Kathie and I set out to Sweetwater.  It would be her first outing to this place since she moved back to Tucson.  For me, it would mark our first outing together here after dark.  But even more remarkable were the finds.  With birder buddy near, we dared to stay until after dark and that is when the magic happened.

Two elements kept my thoughts together.  Kathie.  And "Bob".  He is always at Sweetwater on Sunday nights with his baseball cap and checklist.  Two people who have the observation skills of a Red Tail Hawk hunting prey.  We got stuck at the recharge ponds because of the high amount of bird/duck activity.  It was incredible but unfortuneatly, the sun is setting earlier and earlier and the time for camera documentation began to dwindle.  And before we knew it, the sun had set.

The sky was darkened not only by the fading light but by the flights of hundreds of Yellow Headed Blackbirds, ducks, and other birds. So much life.  So much power and beauty.

As it grew quiet, the sacred Great Horned Owl flew with its HUGE wingspan across the dark night sky.  Quiet. And breathtaking.  And for the first time, a Green Heron magically appeared out of a tree and it would mark my first photo documentation of this bird.  But even more special were the Lesser Nighthawks that flew above our heads.  The Black Capped Night Heron began its ascent over the wetlands.  And "Bob" reported that we passed a Diamond Backed Rattlesnake.  That would have been incredible to spot but Kathie was happy we hadn't:)  And throughout the hushed and darkened skies of Sweetwater, the sparrows and songbirds huddled together and sang their nighttime music safely together in the bushes.

Never had I stayed so late at this place that I like to bird. The wild things roam here during this time and one must keep their eyes open for snakes, Coyotes, a Mountain Lion, Bobcats, etc.  As we left the place, I felt recharged and happy that we were able to spot so many incredible night birds. Which of course means only one thing.......I have to investigate more on this birding at night bit:)  My Monday began calm and relaxed with lingering thoughts of the Great Horned Owl in flight..........

Here's another song that I've been listening to in my car. This song is close to my heart and relates to a someone I know.  If I had seen this video 5 years ago, I would have thought that this would happen to other people, but indeed this scenario had played out in someone I knew in my world.   Part of this blog is about the journey and documentation of all things which includes the background experience of a trip. Those things that are on the back of our mind while we hike and look for birds and other wildlife.

Verdin Love

I enjoy birders from outside of Arizona.  They come with hopes of capturing many birds from around our state.  They usually have a list of places they need to go.  Generally, most will find more birds than they had ever hoped for:) And so my story begins with this tiny little Verdin:)

My hummingbird feeder has been losing liquid for quite some time now.  Another nest has been built near a hummer's nest and quite interesting enough, our hummingbird feeders have been popular with the Gila Woodpecker, Verdins, and Anna's Hummingbirds! The problem with these Verdins and Gila Woodpeckers?  They sure like to move the feeders and pour out some juice for their own needs:)

These pictures were taken from my dining room window(my cat's "Plasma TV").  I've been frustrated that quite a bit of the liquid gets all over the sidewalk!  But I rinse it off with a hose and have extra hummingbird juice in the fridge to fill up during the week.

I don't know why but I do enjoy the antics of the Verdin.  They are skittish little creatures and move quickly at the slightest scare.

Now for the out of town birders.  It makes me smile while I'm on a birding mission searching for that rare bird to find others searching for the birds that I take for granted everyday.  For example, the Verdin.  3 men from California were on a bridge with their photo equipment set up excited about some bird off in the distance.  When I see a cluster of people, I become excited myself and move quickly and quietly to the location to check out the action.

They are smiling and laughing like little kids and so I ask, "What do you guys see?"  They excitedly respond, "A VERDIN!!  A VERDIN!!"  I smile to myself and say, "Have fun guys.  Hope you find lots of birds."  I give them some tips to help locate other birds that are nesting etc.  And then I think, maybe I am beginning to cross the line from amateur to something else....?  It's one thing to see a bird, but now I am using my voice and ears to locate calls from various birds.  I didn't think I would get to that stage ever, but it's happening. 

Before going on a search, I now research the bird online and listen to the calls.  I have begun to do this with the Elegant Trogon. This is yet another challenge for myself this summer as they are nesting in Madera Canyon.

But back to the Verdin.  I remember my first time hearing a different voice in my bird garden this spring.  I have gotten used to the sparrows, hummingbirds, mourning doves, thrashers, cardinals and house finches along with their calls.  When I heard the Verdin's voice for the first time, it was distinct and made me focus to attention. That was the first time I understood the value of listening.

Another post is coming up where I used only sound to help located the Yellow Warbler but more on that later.  I don't mind this Verdin messing up the sidewalk because it's a real treat to have a diverse population of birds on the grounds at El Presidio. More tomorrow....