Oh my, all the AZ desert specialties !! The mornings start with the Curve-billed Thrasher calling "whit-whit whit-whit" and the White-crowned Sparrows answering "dee dee-dee dee dee." In front of my window, in the desert landscaping "lawn," is a structure that looks like a platform feeder. So I put some bird seed in it. The next day House Finches, House Sparrows, Brewer's Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds had found it. I don't want to encourage Cowbirds in their "dirty deeds" so I sprinkled seeds on the ground near the huge agave and Palo Verde trees. That attracted more White-crowns, Pyrrhuloxias, Cardinals, Cactus Wrens, and a Rufous-winged Sparrow. This morning the Thrasher was on the ground as well. Phainopeplas are having a good season. I see them often sitting in the trees. A covey of Quail scurried by yesterday morning.
I took an early morning walk in a dry wash behind the buildings. Chipping Sparrows, a Gila Woodpecker, Gnatcatchers, a pair of Red-tailed Hawks on the cross-arm of a phone pole, and a flock of Black-throated Sparrows all showed up. They are one of my favorite sparrows. A very scruffy hummingbird was sitting up in a mesquite, likely a Broad-tailed. I need to remember all these hummingbirds, now.
Last night a guest told me he saw a Roadrunner roosting in the eves of his casita.
An Internet photo, of a Black-throated Sparrow I did not take this one.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This morning I woke up and "my" birds were not singing !! Maybe they are upset because I woke up late and did not put seed out until after 8 am. A bit later I was walking to the employee parking area when a Cooper's Hawk zoomed over my head into a Mesquite. That's why all the little birds went into hiding !!
After lunch I went north again, to Madera Canyon. The flock of Mexican Jays greeted me in the parking lot, as did the Acorn Woodpeckers. Bridled Titmice and Grey-headed Juncos flitted in the trees. I had a brief look at a Painted Redstart. At the Santa Rita Lodge feeders several people were watching the Wild Turkeys and Jays. 2 Rufous-crowned Sparrows were found. Then a 4-legged creature with a very long tail walked out from behind the Turkeys. A Coatimundi !! In all my birding around AZ, this was the first time I have seen a Coatimundi !!
Oh my, all the AZ desert specialties !! The mornings start with the Curve-billed Thrasher calling "whit-whit whit-whit" and the White-crowned Sparrows answering "dee dee-dee dee dee." In front of my window, in the desert landscaping "lawn," is a structure that looks like a platform feeder. So I put some bird seed in it. The next day House Finches, House Sparrows, Brewer's Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds had found it. I don't want to encourage Cowbirds in their "dirty deeds" so I sprinkled seeds on the ground near the huge agave and Palo Verde trees. That attracted more White-crowns, Pyrrhuloxias, Cardinals, Cactus Wrens, and a Rufous-winged Sparrow. This morning the Thrasher was on the ground as well. Phainopeplas are having a good season. I see them often sitting in the trees. A covey of Quail scurried by yesterday morning.
