Sunrise with Birds
Date: 02/20/2012
First birds of the day. Getting birds at just the right distance can be a bit of a challenge. Shot taken from the Tucson Mountains.
Gambel's Quail
Date: 02/20/2012
Callipepla gambelii. These common birds have broods of up to 24 or more, and both parents raise them. They have a beautiful soft call. Taken at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Leucistic Vermilion Flycatcher
Date: 02/20/2012
Pyrocephalus rubinus. Leucistic birds are rare (partly because they are easy prey, I imagine). Not quite an albino, they are mostly white, with only a little color, perhaps a handful of colored feathers. Most of the time, their eyes have pigment. This is a female. Taken at Sweetwater Wetlands.
Vermilion Flycatcher
Date: 02/20/2012
Pyrocephalus rubinus. Male. Found at Kennedy Park, Tucson, Arizona. While I was there, some fishermen were nearby, and one of them asked me what kind of bird it was. It was fun to tell him.
Black-crowned Night Herons
Date: 02/20/2012
Nycticorax nycticorax. Waiting expectantly. There were two children fishing in the lake, and when they caught a fish, they would throw it to the herons. There were 15 altogether. Found at Reid Park, Tucson, Arizona.
Bird Scuffle
Date: 02/20/2012
Black-crowned Night Herons - Nycticorax nycticorax. Now that there was a fish for them, they fought to see who would get it. These birds are very entertaining and fun to watch.
Elegant Trogon
Date: 02/20/2012
Trogon elegans. Madera Canyon in southern Arizona is noted for its Trogons. They are now more common in other mountains in the southern part of the state. There are several species of Trogons in Mexico, all beautiful, but this is the only one that ranges this far north. I got this one in Madera Canyon after nearly a year of searching. They are heard fairly easily, but seeing one is another matter.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Date: 02/20/2012
Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Swallows can be tricky to photograph. They fly very fast, they're small, and they change direction abruptly and without warning. They catch and eat tiny insects on the fly.
American Wigeons
Date: 02/20/2012
Anas americana. These ducks have a very gentle, high-pitched call. I was looking for Sandhill Cranes, and found these instead. Cochise Lake, Willcox, Arizona.
Sandhill Cranes
Date: 02/20/2012
Grus canadensis. I found these a few days later, after the Wigeons. Up to 30,000 of these cranes winter and nest in southeastern Arizona, and seeing many of them at once is quite a sight. Apache Station Wildlife Refuge, Arizona.
Sandhill Cranes
Date: 02/20/2012
More Sandhill Cranes. They have the most amazing air traffic control system I have ever heard in the wild. A couple of them go "brrr" "brrr" in two alternating pitches, guiding the flying birds in, and this continues until they land.
Mandarin Wood Duck
Date: 02/20/2012
Aix galericulata. Also called the Mandarin Duck. These are not native to the United States, but sometimes escape from zoos, or are former pets. There seems to be a small colony starting in the wild in central Arizona. I found this one in a pond at the Reid Park Zoo a few years ago. The pond was open to the sky, and he was free to leave.
Wood Duck
Date: 02/20/2012
Aix sponsa. This is our native variety of Wood Duck. They are not particularly common. I found this one on an island in the Santa Cruz River at Ina Road in Tucson, Arizona. He was the only one there. This year, a year later, there are five males and four females in a similar location. They were hunted nearly to extinction for their beautiful feathers, and are making a comeback. The female on the left is another species of duck.
Verdin
Date: 02/20/2012
Auriparus flaviceps. These little birds live and nest in Arizona year round. Their nests are practically a total apartment, several sizes too large, and completely enclosed, except for the entrance. They are made of very fine twigs. I see their nests frequently. Their call is very high pitched, almost as high as certain species of hummingbirds. They have a tiny red spot the color of blood on the wing shoulder. This is a female. Found in Tohono Chul Park, southern Arizona.
Great Horned Owl
Date: 02/20/2012
Bubo virginianus. Here's Looking Atcha. He was sleeping in the pole barn at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Refuge. He seemed to wonder who this strange creature was that had invaded his bedroom, but didn't seem concerned. He would peek at me occasionally. I went to find Sandhill Cranes, and found this fellow instead.
Rufous Hummingbird
Date: 02/20/2012
Selasphorus rufus. Female. Southern Arizona hosts 16 species of hummingbirds in due season. I have photographed 14 of them.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Date: 02/20/2012
Archilocus alexandri. Male. I found him at Ash Canyon Bed and Breakfast in Hereford, Arizona. This is one of three excellent locations to see hummingbirds.
Greater Roadrunner
Date: 02/20/2012
Geococcyx californianus. The bird of movie fame, he lives by catching lizards and snakes, including rattlesnakes. This one surprised me by the reservoirs for the town of Picacho, Arizona.
The Conversation
Date: 02/20/2012
Gambel's Quail - Callipepla gambelii. He was sitting there, and I called to him, and he answered, and we called back and forth until I got tired. Found at Lost Dutchman State Park in the Superstition Mountains, Arizona.
Red-naped Sapsucker
Date: 02/20/2012
Sphyrapicus nuchalis. Male. These are somewhat rare in southern Arizona. He stayed for quite awhile in McCormick Park in Tucson. The sap in that tree must have been very tasty!
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Date: 02/20/2012
Sphyrapicus ruber. Male. This bird is even more rare. I went up into Madera Canyon in Arizona, specifically looking for him. I drove to the place where he had been seen, started walking around, and prayed, and asked God to bring me a sapsucker. I turned around, and there he was, not even six feet away from me!
The Opportunist
Date: 02/20/2012
Black-crowned Night Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax. A fisherman had caught this fish and laid it on the sand, and along came this heron and decided he wanted lunch, well, a banquet, really. He struggled and struggled with this fish, attempting to get it into his mouth, and it finally fell into the water and he lost it. Kennedy Park, Tucson, Arizona.
Say's Phoebe
Date: 02/20/2012
Sayornis saya. This is one of my favorite photos. I found this bird at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Arizona.
Heermann's Gull
Date: 02/20/2012
Larus heermanni. Yes, we get gulls. Plenty of beach, no ocean! They said this would be a one-day wonder. He would stay only one day. They were right. I have seen three species of gulls in Arizona so far, but there are plenty more.
Red-tailed Hawk
Date: 02/20/2012
Buteo jamaicensis. There are many such hawks here. There are many different colorations on this species. This is a light morph. Found near Santa Cruz Flats, Arizona.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Date: 02/20/2012
Contopus cooperi. I took this photo with a 1300mm lens, hand-held. This was HIS snag; I saw him there several times. In Sweetwater Wetlands, southern Arizona.
Solitary Sandpiper
Date: 02/20/2012
Tringa solitaria. These are fairly rare. The last record of this bird at Sweetwater Wetlands was several years ago. He's been there for weeks. And of course, he's always alone. He lives up to his name.
American Avocet
Date: 02/20/2012
Recurvirostra americana. Breeding plumage. Found in Gilbert Water Ranch, near Phoenix, Arizona.
White-winged Dove
Date: 02/20/2012
Zenaida asiatica. Doves have a very soothing coo, and I love to listen to them. Found in Sweetwater Wetlands, Arizona.
European Starling
Date: 02/20/2012
Sturnus vulgaris. This is the species which forms flocks of millions in Britain and similar locations. Many people don't like them, but I think they are beautiful birds. This one was singing his heart out. The color is refraction of sunlight. Non-breeding plumage. I'm sure it's named for the stars on its feathers. Found at Santa Cruz Flats, Arizona.
Baikal Teal
Date: 02/20/2012
Anas formosa. Male. This bird is so rare that most American birders thought he was extinct. He showed up at Gilbert Water Ranch a little over a year ago. When trying to find this bird, people asked me where he was, and I said, "Look for the photographers!" There were always plenty around and although he stayed out in the lake a ways, he didn't seem to mind. He stayed for about three weeks. I never could figure out why he needed to tie his hat on! They're named after the Baikal Lake in Russia, and "formosa" means "beautiful". They live in Siberia, and in other places like Viet Nam.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Date: 02/20/2012
Dendroica coronata (Audubon's). Common in winter in southern Arizona. I found this one at Sweetwater Wetlands. Warblers in general are common in winter, but this is by far the most common. They eat insects on the fly. When they land, they don't stay long.
Blue-throated Hummingbird
Date: 02/20/2012
Lampornis clemenciae. A relatively rare hummer, seen only in southeastern Arizona in summer, with a few spotty reports elsewhere. I have seen them only in the Huachuca Mountains, where I found this one, at Beatty's Guest Ranch in Miller Canyon.
Lesser Goldfinch
Date: 02/20/2012
Carduelis psaltria. These birds are seed eaters, and can be attracted with a seed sock. This male is sitting on an ice plant, and I found him at Boyce-Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona.
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Date: 02/20/2012
Cynanthus latirostris. The most common Arizona hummingbird, rivaled only by Anna's. Found at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Peacock
Date: 02/20/2012
Pavo cristatus. Not native to Arizona, but widely kept as pets. I have owned several, including a white female. I think I found this one at Reid Park Zoo.
Mexican Jay
Date: 02/20/2012
Aphelocoma ultramarina. Common in the Santa Rita Mountains, but also found in the Huachuca Mountains. He's sitting on an agave flower stalk. I found this one at Ash Canyon Bed and Breakfast in Hereford, Arizona. I am sure they are called "Jays" because their loud call sounds like it's saying "jay, jay". Lots of people don't like them, but I do. :)
Berylline Hummingbird
Date: 02/20/2012
Amazilia beryllina. Relatively rare in Arizona. I found this one in Miller Canyon, at Beatty's Guest Ranch. There are many species of hummingbirds in Mexico, central, and South America, and many are not even called hummingbirds. Some of them are spectacularly beautiful. We get hummers in summer.
Broad-billed Hummingbird, another view
Date: 02/20/2012
Cynanthus latirostris. Found at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Mexican Jay
Date: 02/20/2012
Aphelocoma ultramarina. Another view. Found in Madera Canyon, near the Whitehouse parking lot. Fortuitously, I couldn't shift my car into gear and was waiting for a tow truck when I took this photo. When you have lemons, make lemonade. ;)
Hooded Merganser
Date: 02/20/2012
Lophodytes cucullatus. Male. These birds have a crest they can raise. This one has largely raised his crest. It shows up as a quarter pie of white with a black border. There are always a few hanging out at Sam Lena Park, behind the probation building, every winter.
Hooded Merganser, another view
Date: 02/20/2012
Lophodytes cucullatus. Also found at Sam Lena Park, on a different day.
Harris's Hawk with Moon
Date: 02/20/2012
Parabuteo unicinctus. A common hawk in southern Arizona. I have seen up to four at Sweetwater Wetlands, where I had this one. They nest across the street. They are most easily seen on a very tall perch.
Costa's Hummingbird
Date: 02/20/2012
Calypte costae. I found him in the Lost Dutchman State Park in the Superstition Mountains, near Phoenix, Arizona. He was very cooperative. He would fly off and then come back.
Northern Shovelers, chasing the lady
Date: 02/20/2012
Anas clypeata. Found at Sweetwater Wetlands, where hundreds spend the winter.
Berylline Hummingbird, another view
Date: 02/20/2012
Amazilla beryllina. Found at Beatty's Guest Ranch, Miller Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Arizona.
Great Egret
Date: 02/20/2012
Ardea alba. Most lakes will have one or two during the winter. This one lives at Reid Park, Tucson, Arizona.
Blue-winged Teal
Date: 02/20/2012
Anas discors. At any given time, there will be only a few of them at Sweetwater Wetlands, and they don't tend to be very close to observers.
Osprey
Date: 02/20/2012
Pandion haliaetus. This is a rarity where I found him, at Kennedy Park, Tucson, Arizona. This one has been there for weeks. The only other place I have seen them is at Patagonia Lake State Park. He's on the prowl, looking for lunch. I saw him dive from 50 feet in the sky, straight into the water (in both places, actually).
Osprey - He got one!
Date: 02/20/2012
Pandion haliaetus. He's carrying it off, and will perch on the radio tower nearby, and have a feast.
White-eared Hummingbird
Date: 02/20/2012
Hylocharis leucotis. Relatively rare. I usually see them at Beatty's Guest Ranch in the Huachuca Mountains.
A Gaggle of...Ducks!
Date: 02/20/2012
American Wigeons - Anas americana
Northern Shovelers - Anas clypeata
Found at Sweetwater Wetlands, southern Arizona.
Northern Shovelers - Anas clypeata
Found at Sweetwater Wetlands, southern Arizona.
Cinnamon Teal
Date: 02/20/2012
Anas cyanoptera. This is another duck that visits in small numbers, and usually is far away from the observer. Sweetwater Wetlands.
Sora
Date: 02/20/2012
Porzana carolina. Easy to hear, hard to see. They hide in the reeds. This is the only one I have ever seen up close, and another birder told me where to find him.
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Date: 02/20/2012
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. These fly overhead in numbers of well over a hundred, in the late afternoon, and perch in tall trees or on electric wires for the night. Their call reminds me of a rusty gate hinge, a low-pitched buzz-saw type noise. I had these at Sweetwater Wetlands.
Wild Turkey
Date: 02/20/2012
Meleagris gallopavo. Looks just like the domestic variety to me. Few in number in the recent past, they're making a comeback. They tend to wander around on or near roads and dwellings in Madera Canyon, where I find this one. He had about 8 females and young ones with him.