Between Blade And Blossom

Monarch Butterfly

It has been a lovely spring migration so far this year.  As birds arrive, I watch how they interact with the blooming plant life. 

Arizona Bell's Vireo

Tucson is also home to some amazing butterfly life as well.  As everything blooms, we watch Monarch, Queen and Pipevine Butterflies connect with the colorful array of wildflowers. 

Northern Rough-Winged Swallow

Warblers and Vireos are easier to see as the trees are only just beginning to leaf out. 

Yellow Warbler

Many species of bee visit our wildflowers. 

Desert Globemallow

I hear the call of a Verdin and approach this Blue Palo Verde slowly.  Among the massive yellow explosion, I find.....

Blue Palo Verde

......a Verdin making a nest and snipping off the delicate yellow blooms of the tree. 

Verdin in Blue Palo Verde

I know that the wild Tree Tobacco is popular to many hummingbirds.  I stand and watch the tree knowing that there will be a hummingbird arriving soon to feed from the tubular flowers. 

Black-chinned Hummingbird staking out a Tree Tobacco

I discover a turf war between male Black-chinned and Anna's Hummingbirds.  The Black-chinned hide in the shadows and send the male Anna's Hummingbird away. 

Anna's Hummingbird

The Black-chinned Hummer resumes his feeding from the plant. 

The Arizona Bell's Vireo calls from the mesquite; a favorite haunt of the bird. 

The last of the wintering Orange-crowned Warblers picks apart this cattail. 

Orange-crowned Warbler

 And as fresh blades grow high, a rare American Bittern hides in the shadows feeding from tadpoles. 

the American Bittern at Sweetwater

Spring has arrived. Birders keep their binoculars near with the hopes of spotting something rare during migration.  Each day can be an exciting one. This is one of the best times to visit Southern Arizona.  You never know what will show up.  Until next time.....

Las Aventuras: 7 Years Strong

male Rufous Hummingbird

This past March, Las Aventuras celebrated 7 years of "work" on the internet machine.  Slowly this blog is getting closer to a million hits which blows my mind away.  The journey has been incredible!

Broad-billed Hummingbird

People ask why I blog.  Sometimes they think it's kind of a joke, but I'll tell you why it's not.  When I began blogging, I couldn't have answered these questions because I didn't know much at all!  I just wanted to have a running diary of my garden. Today, it's crystal clear why I do what I do.  If you're looking into blogging on blogger or wordpress, here's what you need to know. 

Common Raven

It takes time. None of it was overnight.  I began with an idea and it turned into something else.  I wanted to document my garden plans around our place and it was great until I stopped gardening.  Then, the title, "Las Aventuras" really hit its mark when I discovered birds.  The blog truly shows the beginnings of my birding career and the adventures that have ensued since I began chasing our planet's birds. 

Chihuahuan Raven

From novice to ?  As a birder I am continuing to grow.  But when I began this blog, I really knew nothing.  Today I help guide people around southern Arizona to find birds.  It's not a job but a way to connect with my readers and make new friends. And it's also a way to manage my sanity in this crazy world of ours. 

Dark-lored White-crowned Sparrow

The social connection.  I have met so many painters, birders, photographers and friends because of this blog.  Many people joke about the world of online social media, but it isn't a laughing matter if you use it the right way.  I wouldn't have met MANY of the incredibly talented and wonderful people out there if it wasn't for this blog.  I have grown as a birder because of their knowledge and expertise. And vice versa.  We grow together and accomplish the impossible when we put our minds together.....at ANY age. 

Canyon Towhee

Writing.  On a blog, you can write whatever comes into your brain.  My advice?  Keep it short and sweet.  The writing and photography are my favorite parts about putting a post together.  NEVER delete your old work.  Look back at it and discover how much you've grown as a writer, photographer and blogger.  

Inca Dove and Pyrrhuloxia

Photography.  I LOVE THIS PART!  When I began this blog, I found pics on the internet to help aide with my writing.  I then purchased primitive cameras to help begin the narration of my stories.  Plants don't move so it's easy to get a pic of them. Were they quality shots?  That part is debatable:)  But when I got into the wildlife part of the blog, it became tricky.  I'll admit it. I had lens envy and today after about 5 camera upgrades and thousands of dollars, I have a nice set up.  Of course that requires a financial commitment but I am now satisfied with the captured details from our amazing observations out yonder.  Finding the right camera equipment is important.  I thank Gordon Karre for aiding me in that department.   

Cell phones take GREAT photos!

You can take courses on photography, as many do, but it's your experience with the camera out in the field that makes you stronger. Weather conditions, lighting conditions, and positioning oneself to safely capture wildlife in action are all biggies.  Never endanger yourself or the subject you're observing.  That's proper etiquette out in the field.  PLUS, you'll really get to see some amazing behaviors by not interfering with the wildlife.  And I shouldn't forget to add.  It's not the size of your lens that matters.  Some of my purchased work here in Tucson had me using a point-and-shoot camera.   It's the photographer that makes the magic happen. So my point?  Get out there and start taking pics!  Photography is an exciting part of our blogs!

Western Screech Owl

And most of all, a blog is YOUR story.  As much as I do it for others; I also do it for myself.  Writing down my information helps me retain the data in my head while helping others interested in birding the places I've visited.

Lincoln's Sparrow

Both blogging and birding have changed my life for the better.  It's not just a "hobby"; it's part of who I am.  There is a quote that sticks with me to this day in regards to how learning never stops.  Albert Einstein once said, "I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious."  And in this case, for me, this refers to our planet, our planet's birds and the preservation of habitat for future generations. It's also about the human stories that tie into the birds.  

White Wagtail at the Ajo Sewage Plant

This blog is uniquely my own and I am proud of what I have done. Ok enough of this stuff. Let's quickly talk about the Arizona Code 5 bird of the week!  A White Wagtail is currently being seen in the ancient mining town of Ajo!!!  Code 5 is serious business because it's rare!  The only AZ record of this bird was back in 1985 at the Grand Canyon.  The lure for me?  Drop everything and GO!  This was a lifebird, a state bird AND a county bird.  When a bird meets all 3 of these criteria, it's an absolute no brainer!  The White Wagtail hails from Europe and Asia and is seen yearly in the US.  But to have one in AZ?!!!  That is big news.  Until next time friends!  And thank you for reading Las Aventuras..... 

New friends, the Teuke family, from Wisconsin stop and search for the White Wagtail in a very remote area of our state.  EPIC!

Take Notice

The San Francisco Peaks outside of Flagstaff

Back in Arizona, the sun was out and spring had begun. 

Common Gallinule

Nesting birds were everywhere.  I was gone for one week and in one week so much had changed here!  New birds had arrived!  

a nesting Greater Roadrunner

Hawks begin the migration cycle. Then the Lucy's and Yellow Warblers arrive with the Bell's Vireos.  They are followed by the gulls, terns and sandpipers. While all that is going on, the Black-headed Grosbeaks, Tanagers and Orioles also move forward. Hummingbirds and night birds start to fly into the scene and it can be quite overwhelming! 

Ornate Tree Lizard

Sometimes it's hard to pick and choose where to go because there is so much activity happening around us. The birds are most active in the spring as they call for a potential mate.  It is also during this time that birders will get quality views of the normally secretive birds.  

Lucy's Warbler

The wildflower show begins and is then followed by cacti blooming everywhere!

Parry's Beardtongue or Parry's Penstemon

We watch as juvenile Bald Eagles attempt to copulate or just practice aerial flights with other birds.  Here, we can see the size difference between these two birds as they fly over Mormon Lake up in Flagstaff. I didn't observe any aggression between the Bald Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk.  I got a sense that it was either territorial or that the eagle was practicing its flight moves with the hawk.  Human comparison?  Like two ice skaters in sync with each other during a performance.  

This was quite a show. 

I hear a Great Horned Owl make a call.  I follow his low hoot that echoes in the palms and find two ladies making out.  I said, "Hey, stop making out and look at the owl above you!"  They pulled out their cell phones and snapped shots.  Apparently love is the air for all living things. 

Great Horned Owl

"The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it."  Peter Pan 

I am a birder and always will be.  I cannot give up this journey.  Sometimes I question myself.  When is enough....enough?  And then something happens to remind me that without certain elements in my life, I'd be lost.

While my trip to the Pacific Northwest satiated my lifer search, it once again brought me back to reality.  Each day alive is a gift. I was reminded of that once again when one of my fellow co-workers unexpectedly passed away during surgery.  She was only 62 years old. I have met so many people that only have their work or kids that define them. Retirement is a reawakening for many people. But for some, it's the scariest thing ever. This teacher was always the first one at school helping the kiddos learn their math. Once she told me that if she didn't have her job, she wouldn't be sure what she would do. And that is a reality for many people. 

Curve-billed Thasher in Cholla nest

I get so busy with my own life that I forget to stop and think about those who suffer from loneliness. It's often said we surround ourselves with people who are like-minded.  I think most people are busy, happy and pursuing their passions.  But that isn't always the case.  I drown in my work sometimes and need to take the time to pay better attention to my coworkers around me.  I mean....I do it with the birds! And if I didn't pay attention to the details in my marriage, I'd be in big trouble:)

Hedgehog Cactus in bloom

 A moment in time.  That's all we have.  As spring arrives, I remember to soak it all into this brain of mine. My definition of work?  It's something I enjoy.  It grounds me and gives me a routine but it isn't my life.  That's not to say that I don't love what I do....but it doesn't define my existence.  My marriage, the birds, my friends, my family....and my cats take up a lot of my time. I'm a lucky guy and I never take any of that for granted.

"Hey!, it's time for a haircut!"

Life is an adventure. So is shaving a long haired cat. I know Ms. Harmon would have loved this because she was a cat person just like we are. We talked about cats way more than anyone ever should:)  Until next time....

Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold

I was fascinated by the coastal forests of Oregon.

It was haunting and remote.

Often times, everything was clouded in mist.

We heard Mountain Quail calling from the darkness.

We also saw signs that a savage people lived in the area.  It was a bit scary.  I don't think I would have come here alone.

A lumber company regulated this forest but there was no sign that they were there.  Occasionally, we saw an abandoned tractor here or there.

We searched for the Sooty Grouse. But no luck.

Photography was difficult but it was there I spotted two very quiet Varied Thrush.  Lifers.

A special thank you to Khanh Tran for a fun trek around the states of Washington and Oregon. And to Robert and Khanh for their warm hospitality!  And to both Gordon and Khanh for driving!  It was a crazy week that went by too quickly.

I will return but it will happen during the summer.  For now, it's back to the desert southwest.  It's time for a little sunshine:)

Finger Licking Good

California Quail

The thing about ground birds is that they are VERY hard to spot.  Often we'd hear the birds, like the Mountain Quail, and not see them.  We'd drive miles and miles into their habitat range and just look.  

The eyes can get tired from scanning hillsides, rocks and roads for hours.  We passed countless Horned Larks and Snow Buntings.  And then two Gray Partridges zoomed past our car......into the shadows.  No good.  We needed better looks. 

Horned Lark

At one point, we noticed Ruffed Grouse in the snowy trees.  They blended into the bare branches and gray skies pretty well. 

This is yet another grouse that I have looked for time and time again back in Wisconsin.  After watching Khanh scan for grouse, I think I have a better idea about finding these birds on my own.  I had been doing it all wrong!

With new buds on the trees, and towards the evening hours, we found many of these birds feeding.  

Ruffed Grouse

 Our next day found us on the road again.  This time for the skittish Gray Partridge.  Khanh spotted a covey of about 15 birds running along side the road. 

Gray Partridge

 We had to be quick with cameras as they quickly took off in flight.  The Gray Partridge was introduced from Eurasia and can be a tricky spot for birders. They rely heavily on agricultural fields and the grains farmers feed their cattle.  

The last ground bird we observed well was the California Quail.  I was happy when Gordon was finally able to get great photos of this sometimes difficult quail.  And I only say "difficult" because it hasn't been easy for the two of us over the past several years. There is one spot in Arizona where they can be found and it's a difficult area for photos. These are not common birds for us here. While we both had seen the birds, it was Gordon who hadn't really gotten nice close ups of this quail.  So I'm glad they played nice for him.  

I've learned a lot from our grouse trek up into the Pacific Northwest.  It's not easy.  None of it.  Yes, certain times of year are easier than others, but they are difficult birds.  I have shared stories about attempted views of the Gunnison's sage-grouse.  It still hasn't happened but like I've stated before on other posts......I have enjoyed dipping on this bird only so that I can go back to Gunnison again.  It's a pretty special place for me.  If you need a guide in the states of Oregon and Washington(and possibly Canada), I'd highly recommend my friend Khanh Tran. He's a great guide and knows his owls and grouse well (and all the other specialty birds that are found in his area). We did the impossible and it was exhausting.  Sitting back now, I have time to reflect on the week long journey.  The birds, the food, the fun and the company were the best. I think I have a couple more posts to go and then I'll be back in Arizona for all the fun I've been having here.  More to come.....