Hedwig

The ocean cast her misty net around us.  A thunderous clap could be heard from the far off distance.  The fog had arrived and there was no escape. 

I imagined witches and warlocks flying around the isles of these waters. 

The wheel of the ancient mill churned the waters of the fast moving stream. A light rain fell from the sky. Did a wizard live here?

Modern day folk relied on their local weather forecaster to predict the weather changes.  Half the time, their prophesies were wrong. And so we navigated around the constant change of elements.

And while we didn't find a witch or warlock, I suspected they were there. For we spied upon crows and......

....a Snowy Owl?  Most people thought we were looking at the house and stopped to snap pictures.  Because that's what people do. But did they notice that something so rare and beautiful was on top of the chimney?  No Snowy Owl remains in July.  But this one did. 

Hedwig.  It had to be.  Harry Potter's Snowy Owl.  Only a dedicated Owl would stay in Maine during the summer. Harry and his friends must be vacationing from England. 

This life bird lived up to its' reputation. The epic landscape and weather changes around Maine were incredible. Most of the Snowy Owls should be up north on their breeding grounds, but this one stuck around just long enough for us to visit.  Pure magic. 
For more incredible birds, check out Wild Bird Wednesday. 

The Tatooine Factor

The large Plain-capped "Star"throat

A long time ago in a galaxy far far way, I was able to comfortably hike and count birds.  But with the desert heat right now, I'm trying to figure out if I should pull out those dusty Star Wars toys and reenact the desert planet of Tatooine or really try and bird?

Who can resist the mesmerizing blues of the Broad-billed Hummingbird male? Like a blue lightsaber

Lately it seems I have been role playing on Endor, or the moon that is home to all the Ewoks.  There have been trees, critters and of course, ticks!  But now I'm back on Tatooine.  

My favorite shot of the day.  Plumbeous Vireo love!

My tolerance factor for the heat and humidity is rather low.  People put on weight during their Hoth(the snow planet) months in most places.  I put mine on during our summer months.  Plus I really like food and cool temps.  So I Eat. Sleep. Bird.  Sounds like a book title! 

Epic!  I've heard them so many times, but never had the opportunity to see one.  A very special moment with the Whiskered screech-owl or the secretive Yoda

While I'm not by any means trying to do a big year, it's the only time I will ever be close to doing one.  My goal this year is to stay in the top 100 for the United States.  Right now I'm in the 30's which is great, but I do need to find several more birds that are right here in Arizona.  That's what's great about this place!  We have most of the birds right here all year round!  And the chases are especially exciting during monsoon season.  

A microburst on the grasslands gives us some relief with cooler temps

 Random birds come into the state due to powerful weather systems or what some may call the "Force".  For example, while I already found the Tricolored Heron in Florida this year, it was a thrill to discover a Juvenile hidden in a trashy golf course spot up in a tree!

Juvenile Tricolored Heron

While we were observing this bird, I was sweating my #$@* off! And oh the heat exhaustion!  What's that?  Drink water you say?  Oh I do. It still doesn't help with the heat:) There are times I'd like to go into the woods and take a whole bag of ice cubes and rub them all over my body. But the birds!  They are most excellent and can ONLY be found this time of year!

The Phoenician Kingbirds....left to right.....Tommy D, Mark Ochs and Gordon Karre

It's good to have friends to motivate along the trails.  Buddies who will play Star Wars with you.  Just as long as they aren't too rough on the action figures!  Oh I hear someone snickering out there in bloggerland.  Yeah I heard that.  They aren't dolls! NEVER!  Guys play with action figures! 

A Yarrow's Spiny Lizard gets a little snack-my Luke Skywalker action figure would fit perfectly on the back!

 Anyhow, we had a lot of laughing on that day as we searched for rarities and other fun birds.  They are called the Phoenician Kingbirds.  Because we live in Arizona, we get all kinds of Kingbirds.....Tropical, Thick-billed, Western, Cassin's, and even the rare and occasional Eastern.  My schnoz is pretty big so my code name is Thick-billed Kingbird. 

Tiger Beetle love-the robots of the wild world!

Check out these alien action figures in the desert right now!  That's why it's so hard to stay indoors when all this fun is happening right outside my door!

an Indigo Bunting uses the force

I still need to collect several more action figures to complete my set here on Tatooine.  There is one spot hotter than hell and it's called Korriban(aka Phoenix, home of the Sith leader Jan Brewer).  In that locale, I can pick up 2 new birds for the national list this year.  I've already seen both, but it would still be fun to find them.  They are the Least Bittern and Barn Owl.  Due to a schedule conflict this year, I missed my Tundra Swan opportunity up in Prescott but picked up my lifers, the Mute Swans, in Massachusetts. Other birds include the Five-striped Sparrow but it's in a dangerous drug runner area and I won't go alone. They are known as the Sand People. In Maine, I only had to worry about ticks.  In Arizona, I have to worry about my safety! This is what I call the "Dark Side". The California Gulch should be birded with a group. So that bird is off my list until it moves further up from the border by the end of the month. Another includes the larking Cassin's Sparrow.  And I have another trip planned to find the Mexican Chickadee in one of my favorite places in Arizona!  Portal.  More animals live there than humans do and it's evident everywhere you turn!

San Pedro house near Sierra Vista

We have definitely begun Monsoon Madness and it should be a quite a show. I wonder if they sell air conditioning suits?  Anyhow, "May the force be with you!"  More from Maine coming up......

For more birds from around the world, check out Wild Bird Wednesday. Photos featured today are from Madera Canyon, Florida Canyon, Ramsey Canyon and the San Pedro Riparian area. 

The Lost Pond

Though the rover may rove

His passage she does break.

"Can you hear the secret whispers across my waters? Immerse yourself in this moment.

Let the universe unfold around you." 

Keen-eyed, he watches

As the long-winged sentries hover

And his feathered addictions serenade.

In that moment of forever

He delights in her hidden kingdom; 

Lost within her mystic beauty. 

The world begins to darken.

Drops of balsam rain fall upon his face 

And he knows that his journey must continue.

Sweetly she sings, "Good-bye wanderer!"

He glimpses back once more to remember 

But she is gone.  

Hidden and secret, 

She remains forgotten. 

Kathie has some special friends visit her hat. 

Author's note. I love all the learning that goes on behind the scenes. There is science to be learned. And there is data to be collected.  But that's not only what this journey is about.  When I look back at it all, I probably won't remember the numbers or birds seen.  I will remember the experience and feeling behind those very special moments.  And I cannot lie. I fell in love with New Hampshire. 

The Lost Pond

by Chris Rohrer

Rocky Shores

The scenic view from the harbor and the allure of seafood captured our attention.  

It was a special day. We were going to find the Atlantic Puffin and visit one of their nesting grounds on Eastern Egg Island!

The morning began with a bit of a breeze.  As the day went on, the breeze became something stronger. 

Gulls, like the Great black-backed gull, soared and swirled above our heads. 

We boarded our vessel and began to leave dock.  By now the wind had become rather gusty.  The waves grew large as we left the harbor. 

Common Eiders

 As we passed Common Eiders, passengers were warned of the rough conditions.  But we had come for the Atlantic Puffin.  It was a life bird for all of us.  There was no turning back. 

Eastern Egg Island

The boat began to rock.  Waves began to splash the passengers.  Three boys on the bottom deck screamed with delight as each cold spray hit their faces.  The Audubon guide bravely stood his ground as the ship pitched and turned. Yet even after being pelted by shards of ice water, he kept going. The ship seesawed even more.  As we crept closer to the island, I began to see little white darts in the sky.  Terns!  And rare ones!  Several passengers became sick.  Others attempted to lock their bodies around rails.  This was going to be a challenge. 

The vessel lurched forward throwing some passengers to the side rails. Someone screamed, "LOOK!  A PUFFIN!"  For a brief moment, the ship stopped moving long enough for everyone to observe the amazing Atlantic Puffin!

Atlantic Puffin

The Atlantic Puffin disappeared from the coast of Maine during the early part of the last century.  They were hunted for their eggs, meat and feathers. After years of work by Audubon, these birds have made a comeback to the coast of Maine where they now breed once again. 

Everyone locked their binos and cameras on the birds.  Or at least tried.  Some had their heads in a bag.  Others clung to their loved ones.  Was it worth it? 

As we approached the island, I noticed my second target bird!  The Black Guillemot!!!  It was a thrill to see so many around the rocks! The vessel rolled and I was knocked over a bench. Ouch!  I CAN DO THIS!  CONCENTRATE!  FIND THEM!  OBSERVE THEM AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!  YOU'LL HAVE TIME TO COMPLAIN LATER ON!

I tried to keep my shaking hands steady.  Focus you desert rat!  There will not be another opportunity to do this again!

Black Guillemot

And the Guillemot flew with what looked like a twizzler in its' beak!  Puffins were gathering small fish and eels as well.  I would stare, amazed, at the crazy things they were pulling out of the water.  

On shore, the "Hilton" was home to several human guardians.  They observed the nesting birds, collected data and protected the Puffin's breeding grounds. 

TERNS!  The true test for me began.  Not many people were interested in the terns twisting and gliding around our vessel at light speed.  I was.  

Another sway and rooooooollllll!!!

Two terns would be life birds for me......IF I could ID them.  A lot of my energy went into finding the endangered Roseate Tern and Arctic Tern. There were a few scattered in between many Common Terns.  With the boat constantly pitching back and forth and the terns banking sharply around us, it was hard to focus visually.  As Obi-Wan told Luke in the first Star Wars movie....."Luke, let go.  Use the force."  I switched off my eyes and listened for the calls to hone in on their location.   

Roseate Tern

ki, RIK!!!  ki, RIK!!!!  HIGH UP!  A CLOUD OF "NOT" COMMON TERNS!  SOMETHING DIFFERENT!  ROSEATE TERNS!!!!!!  One banked sharply to the port.  CAMERA ON!  NOW!!!  SNAP SNAP!

Arctic Tern-bill is reddish, but in this pic the lighting makes it look a tad orange

LURCH!!!  I HEAR YOU!  I HEAR YOU!  THE STARBOARD! keeeyuuuuurrrr! And SNAP! 

A seal passes by our vessel

And just like that, it was over.  It was one of the most satisfying experiences in my life.  I did it!  All target birds achieved with great observations.  However the aftermath wasn't pretty.  I'll let Kathie tell her story:) Both of my comrades fell ill during the voyage.  However, they survived the experience and won't forget their encounter with the Atlantic Puffin anytime soon. Some life birds can be painful.  

As the last Atlantic Puffin flew from my sight, I looked over the rough ocean waters and thought about how exciting this life of discovery is.  

This is just the beginning of our Maine story.  There is still so much more to come.  As of this write, I have observed and discovered 432 birds this year in North America.  We began in California, scoured Arizona, got a taste of New Mexico, walked the beaches of Northern Mexico and explored Florida.  Life is truly a dream. For more about the Puffin tour, check out the Hardy Boat Cruises. And for more birds from around the world, check out Wild Bird Wednesday!

To Drift Upon A Cloud

I cannot fly.  I do not have wings.  Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to float, hover, glide or rocket across the sky. 

Common Tern

If I were a tern, I could do all of these things.

Black Tern

I would wear the mask of the Cedar Waxwing to simulate the goggles worn by old fighter plane pilots. 

Cedar Waxwing

 At times I would need to float on water or stop on a twig to rest. But I am not a bird.  Just a person who likes to dream. 

Black Scoter-female

So instead we found ourselves carried by mechanical wings. As the desert faded into the sunset, we drifted among the clouds. An adventure. 

When the mechanical bird landed to rest, we found ourselves surrounded by an emerald forest that went on as far as our eyes could see. 

Not long after, we met up with the ocean and her cool breezes.  It was also here I met up with my birding partner and friend in crime, Kathie.  Together we would cover some ground in the state of Maine.

What would we discover?  Our adventures begin.