Another journey

I left Tucson a few days later and drove to Phoenix.  I stayed 2 nights at the hostel near the Roosevelt art district.  What an interesting place !  The hostel employee gathered 4 guests and gave us a tour of the  "3rd Friday"  art gallery night.  Several galleries were open and offering snacks, wine, and soda. 
     This is what normal people do, I thought, come out and be part of the community.  I have been spending much time in sparsely populated Parks and forests.
     I had a great time at lunch and talking with Maya, a co-worker from Grand Canyon.  We have not seen each other since 2009.  The following day I met Elaine at the Desert Botanical Gardens.  We worked together at Grand Tetons in 2011.  Fun to spend time with her as well.
     Then I started driving west, making a stop near Parker, AZ to see a reported rare bird.  Nutting's Flycatcher did not disappoint the early morning birders.  Wheek !   Wheek !  (How did the local birder find this little Myiarchus here in December ?)
     I continued west, driving past Salton Sea.  In good years Salton Sea is a mecca for shorebirds, and other birds seeking a migration stopover site.  This winter it is dried to salt-crusted mudflats, except for a few areas of deeper water.  Where have all the birds gone ?
     I stayed a week with my friend Janet at her apartment in Vista, CAL.  The week was wet and grey with several rainstorms rolling in from the Pacific Ocean. Thursday afternoon I had Internet at a local library.  Communication with the rest of the world !!

     Friday morning I convinced Janet to come on an adventure.  We drove north to a few locations until Karen found THE birds.  BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATERS  !!!    New Life Bird !!!    The flock had been estimated from 500 to 2000 birds.  Standing on the pier I could use my spotting 'scope and have a great look at them.  Janet is not a birder, altho she did look thru the 'scope.
     These are Internet photos of the exciting birds.  not Karen photos.

Goodbye Ranch

After 2 months at the Ranch we are parting company.  This was a very bad match.  House count was down to 22% and not expected to improve.  The temporary employee is gone.  So don't send anything to Tucson !!
      In between applying for jobs I will be visiting friends in Phoenix, San Diego, and Reno.  Kris is an excellent programmer, very analytical.  Their rented house backs up to a wetlands.  She has suddenly noticed birds.  Many phone calls later, I sent her a field guide.  Another birder comes into the world.
     A few photos from this summer:   Wind River Mts from Hwy 26.

 Cushion Cryptantha and Alpine Forget-me-nots on the summit of Snowy Range

post Christmas

 A Sycamore tree in winter.

Not much happening at the Ranch.  Guest occupancy went from 98 % during the holidays to 24 % now.  Twice I heard the tale of Ring-tailed Cats walking into a kitchen storage area and not wanting to leave. I have not seen these little guys yet.
     The Cooper's Hawk sat in a tree in my yard, until I came out to photograph it.  I tell it,  Eat only Doves, stay away from the Quail.  So that is working.  I find Dove feathers in the front yard.