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.