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.

 

Christmas in the desert

The sun is peaking out from an overcast sky, and the White-crowned Sparrows have just returned to the front yard.  Mourning Doves and House Sparrows are crowding into the platform feeder, and a male Cardinal is sitting on an Agave leaf.
     I bought an artificial branch for $ 3.00 to hang Christmas ornaments on. 
Happy Christmas to all.

Christmas count

Two Pacific storms brought rain to Tucson valley and snow to the higher elevations. Rain cleaned the air. Snow on the Catalinas was so pretty.  Early morning sun on the foothills was photogenic, and by 10 am the sun had pushed out the clouds giving us a beautiful blue-sky day.
     I joined birders in one section of the 15-mile circle that is the Tucson Valley Christmas Bird count.  We patrolled our 1 1/2 miles of Rillito River, 3 city parks, and several neighborhoods.  Best birds were 4 Harris's Hawks, Vermilion Flycatchers, Say's Phoebes, a Hutton's Vireo, and 3 species of Hummingbirds.  Specialties like Verdins, Abert's Towhees, and Curve-billed Thrashers were also found.  My group counted 33 species. 
     At the evening compilation event I learned the record of 152 species was set some years ago.  Tucson's 2012 count may tie this record. 

Photos:  Snow in the Catalinas, as seen from the Ranch.  An internet photo of a Say's Phoebe. 

into December 2012

Mid-morning walk added 3 new birds to my Ranch list:  Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Bridled Titmouse.  All birds found in the canyons with running water creeks, but a surprise here.  The small fishing pond is the only water nearby.
     Yesterday I received permission to have Sunday off to do Christmas Bird Count in Tucson.  The new compiler went thru a list of all previous participants and sent out emails to everyone asking for birders to join CBC on Sunday.  I did not need to go looking for the compiler's name, as I did last year. 
     Requested photos of the "feeding station" outside my window.  Several platform feeders are scattered around the guest areas, and will be filled by the Grounds crew if the guest requests seeds.  Of course I need to provide my own seeds, and the birds are most willing to come eat.  Mostly White-crowned Sparrows, House Finches, some House Sparrows, and the desert specialties.  A pair of Cardinals comes occasionally.  4 Quail is the size limit for the platform feeder.

Sabino Canyon

     This location challenges my sense of orientation.  Sabino Canyon used to be quite a drive to the east, now I had to go WEST to get to Sabino.  Alas their creek is dry as well. Below the dam there were a few puddles in depressions in the rocks.  Early morning birds were good.
     Hermit Thrushes, Verdins, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a Black-throated Gray Warbler (!!), Painted Redstarts, a Red-naped Sapsucker, and the big highlight,  Rufous-backed Robin (!!).

     I have been practicing with the Nikon camera.  Ducks at Fort Lowell Park were most cooperative. The Roadrunner did not get focused well.  This afternoon I watched the excitement in my "front yard."  Pyrrhuloxias in the Palo Verde, Cactus Wrens eating from the seed tray, a Gila Woodpecker in the mesquite, and Gambel's Quail will chase the Mo Doves away.  Two days ago a Green-tailed Towhee came looking for breakfast, today the Abert's and Canyon Towhees showed up.  The little Rufous-winged Sparrow is not intimidated by the White-crowned Sparrows.