Uplifting

It's all about the magic today.  Enjoy!

Contributions

Ruddy Duck

Greetings all, I have been on the road for the past several days celebrating the holidays with family and friends PLUS doing some epic birding.  Sunday, I'll be back again catching up with posts.  There just doesn't seem  to be enough time in a day to do it all.  So let's get started with today's topic.  I didn't want to bring the camera on this shoot. To be honest, I wasn't into taking any pics, but I always bring the camera in case that random bobcat shows up.  Murphy's Law would suggest that the minute I left the camera home, the bobcat would make an appearance at Sweetwater.  Today's post marks a first in two different areas.

I now have another weapon on my wildlife/birding treks.....the IPhone!  After this past years Montosa Canyon run in, Pat decided that it was time for me to get a cell phone.  I have resisted that technology for years.  But I'm finding that the Panoramic feature is SWEET!  So you'll be seeing many more of these.  Plus when someone calls me, my favorite bird call of all time(the Loon) will sound.  Just hopefully not in a movie theater!

But all of that is foolish stuff when compared to the feeling I had today as I joined an Audubon group at Sweetwater in Tucson.  It marks a first for me and I'm proud that I could help beginning birders out.  Some were old pros but I found that I loved helping people ID birds.  And my neighbor wanted to go birding with me.  She had asked me for this outing chance to see what I see everytime I go on my walks.  I love her dearly and said absolutely.

It would mark the first "cold" day for Tucson since last spring.  The temps were in the 40's and it was COLD!  My nipples could have cut glass. Okay maybe that was too much:)  A group of 7 met and we began our trek.  It was very rewarding and a lot of hard work spotting the birds.  But I scoped out the area the day before as the leader Debra had done so that I would be prepared for my friend.  I got her a checklist and I brought my notepad along with me(like Kathie taught me) and left the camera at my side.  It wasn't about my pics.  It was about finding as many birds as we could.  Debra had her scope and we viewed birds.....48 of them to be exact(at least on my count).

Ruddy Ducks, Grebes, Hawks....you name it!  Even Snowy and Great Egrets were discovered in the distant skies.  Thanks to 6 other sets of eyes, we were able to spot lots of wonderful birds.  But I was contributing and helping people ID the birds that I know so well.  Sweetwater is my patch here in Tucson when I need to bird quickly.  And I knew my birds.  But this time we had a scope and I could finally ID Least Sandpipers and a Belted Kingfisher using Debra's scope!  Thank you!!! We had a fun lunch afterwards and it was wonderful getting to know a new birder buddy.

Look carefully for the Belted Kingfisher

But I also made a realization.  I missed Kathie.  For two weeks we hadn't been able to bird together and it wasn't the same.  I know that it probably sounds weird but it hit me right in the face that I missed my birding buddy. I am thankful that both our spouses allow us to hang out and bird together.

Red Tail Hawk

Debra was awesome and amazing and I hope we get to bird together as well.  But I am finding that many of us have similarities.  We all have spouses that prefer to stay home while we explore the outdoors.  It's also very rare and wonderful to have a birding buddy to share the adventures and thrills.  I didn't take it for granted before but when we couldn't bird these past couple weeks, I found that I missed birding with her.  Debra spoke of her male friend she used to bird with and how much she missed birding with him.  And that's when I made the connection.  Bizarre but true.  Birding is an addiction and deep inside we want to be around people who LOVE birding for more than just an hour.  I've written before that Pat can stand about an hour before we have to go to breakfast:)  I don't want to bird for an hour.  I want to bird for much longer and I want the person next to me to get excited!! And I thought about this more and here's my run-on sentence conclusion......it's NO different than the football crowd sitting and screaming at a TV together eating guacamole and drinking beer.  Well it is different.  We're exercising; they're not.  The simple fact is that we all should have hobby buddies to make the experience even more incredible.  Pat and I have lots of other things that we do together.....but birding is not one of them.  And that's okay.

Harris Hawk

Every bird is a complete thrill and it's so exciting to play detective with another person who gets in the game as much as any birder does.

Eared Grebe

Recently, several birder people have set goals.  For example, they'll say that they hope to spot 50 species.  No time limit has been set yet on these outings because that would make it quite the workout:)

Recently, I've been asked to join in on the Christmas Bird Count and I'm absolutely thrilled to join in on the quest.  I believe Kathie and I both will be joining up together to do the count somewhere. She keeps me focused.  I tend not to look both ways when crossing the road.....especially when we're on the hunt for a bird!   This Audubon excursion, selling my photography, and having several pieces published in an upcoming book validate that what I'm doing isn't a joke but something that is leading elsewhere.  And I will keep trying my best to learn as much as I can until I can't anymore. And learning never ends.

Grebe love....Pied Bill Grebe and Eared Grebe together

In a short 3 years, I will no longer be owned by debt and student loans.  That day, and let me tell this to you all, will be a coming of age celebration.  For many years I have been financially trapped by this "education" investment.  When it happens, I will be planning a "BIG YEAR".  I want to know more.  I want to see more. Be more.  But my home base is teaching me a lot.  Arizona is truly a premiere birding spot.  This is a hotspot in our country for so many species.  International travel has opened my eyes to how others view Arizona.  I just didn't see what they were seeing......until I actually opened my eyes.

On this trip, we found so many incredible things.  Sparrows still challenge me. And the difference between a Clark's and Western Grebe are subtle, but I won't stop until I learn them all by heart.

Over the next several days, you are going to witness some incredible finds from trips not only with Kathie but with my solo visits as well.  There will be lifebirds added and photographed.

And while I write this post, I am also wanting to share with my garden friends that I have not stopped gardening.  But I have been working on a courtyard segment as well but it's just not complete yet and I can't wait to share with you the plants and water feature that are going into our property.  There's a lot happening on the plant side as well.   Yes.  I am a busy person but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world because this is where I'm at in my life and I don't know where it's all heading.....but I do like it:)  A special thank you to Debra for an awesome day.  I hope we get to bird together again. More tomorrow.....

A rare sight...the Sora!  But it is heard easily:)

Let's See What's Out There

American Wigeon

Everytime I run out the door into the world, I keep an active eye out for new species.  It becomes increasingly difficult to spot new birds on wildlife outings as they have already been spotted before.  And not every outing is a success in finding that new lifebird.

Solitary Sandpiper

But I also look at every outing as a potential better sighting of a bird that will give me that million dollar shot.

Ruddy Duck

But today I wouldn't get the stellar shots as I'd get a new life species to add to my list.

Canvasback

Interviewing several birders in the area, they were all excited to report the Canvasback.  And they did indeed capture my attention as they had a reddish head with a clean white back.  I at first thought they were just another duck hybrid until further conversations revealed that they were indeed special.

Northern Harrier

While "listing" as many bird species as I could, I was able to observe the Northern Harrier in great detail.  Like the American Kestrel, it comes and goes.  It has been awhile since I had seen the bird. So it was fun to make observations.

Black Crowned Night Heron

Herons are strange birds.  Sometimes they will sit super close to you while fishing and other times they'll just hide in the vegetation.  In many ways, they make me laugh.  They'll use you for food and then disappear.....much like our cats at home:)

Northern Harrier

At the time, I had been trying to figure out this bird of prey above.  In one other shoot, I came back with terribly terrible pics.  It was only on this day that I could get an ID from this pic.  Very tricky with the sun setting.

The Canvasback stayed for that day and then disappeared the next.  They weren't spotted at all afterwards. And like many of the birders had advised me to do....."Get your shot now because they are not a reliable bird to see around this area."  So I did and now have ID evidence:)

But I get distracted with all the other things going on....Harris Hawks hunting, ducks quacking, etc etc.....

Harris Hawk Family

And everytime I go out into the field, I am energized by the possibility that maybe....just maybe, I'll find something new:)  Little did I know but in the upcoming days ahead, I'd discover more incredible new birds.  Stay tuned for more.......

Black Neck Stilts

Turkey Time!

 Wishing you all a wonderful "turkey" day!  And while I'm a birder, I still do love a delicious turkey.  But I also enjoy seeing them in the wild as well;)

Wild Turkeys at Madera Canyon

 Turkeys were wiped out years ago due to over hunting practices.  Today these birds are enjoying a big comeback around the US.  They can be found again in many parts of our country because they are once again protected.

And hope you all have a wonderful beginning to your holiday season with family and friends!  Happy Thanksgiving wherever you may be!

The Unexpected Surprises

Harris Hawk

Today's post if full of wonderful awesomeness.  It's when you're walking and stuff happens right around you. If you don't act quick enough, you miss the shot like the photographer trying to get the Harris Hawk during this day.  I had a private smile but that smile turned upside down the next day when I missed out on the American Kestrel attacking the Harris Hawk.  You win some and you lose some:)

And my camera is always right next to me at every turn.  On my way to Sweetwater in my neighborhood, a Cooper's Hawk sat on our street light.  I parked the car, aimed the camera, and took pics.  An older lady came my way and began talking with me.  She was sweet and replied, "A Cooper's Hawk on a Sunday morning.  It doesn't get better than that.:)"  But it would get better....

Cooper's Hawk

And like the Cooper's Hawk, I flew off to Sweetwater.

What an incredible day!!!!  It was super birdy and full of a billion bird species.  I began my count and within a short time, I had over 30 birds species!!!

Cactus Wren

Birds were either hanging out or flying by me at a rapid pace.

American Kestrel

I knew a Buffelhead was in the area but I kept my eyes open for other surprises.

Pied Bill Grebe

And I found everyone on my list that I was supposed to find!

Female Buffelhead

And while some of the photos weren't super great, I did have photo documentation that they were there.

From left to right, female Buffelhead, Northern Shoveler, and Mallard Duck.

Some posts, like this one, take time to process as I need to confirm the birds spotted.

With the Buffelhead, it wasn't an issue. The markings were clear and easy to see:)

But for this new species of Warbler and Sparrow below, I had to investigate.

Orange Crowned Warbler

This Orange Crowned Warbler sat in front of me for a few brief moments and then like all warblers took off!!!

But what took me the longest to research was this sparrow below.  Before any of my posts go out, I have several eyes check and verify pics before labeling them because I want accuracy on my reports.  Sometimes I'll throw the wrong name out there just to hear people give their explanations. About 60 percent of the time, I've labeled the "confusing" birds correctly.  But not the one below:)

Lincoln's Sparrow

It took one week to get enough feedback on the ID to prep for today's report. So many sparrows will just pop out of nowhere and surprise you along the way.  With sparrows, it's just important to sit and wait for them.

White Crowned Sparrow

Of course there are plenty others that are much easier to ID like the White Crowned Sparrow.  There have been so many of them lately around here and they have such cute faces.

Solitary Sandpiper

And Sweetwater is also home to the rare Solitary Sandpiper that has decided to call our wetlands home every winter:) And that is another wonderful unexpected surprise.  Here he is calmly taking a stroll in the stream.

More tomorrow....