CT: snow and birds

I have been in Connecticut for a week now.  Snow is mostly crusty on top so I don't sink in while walking out to fill the bird feeders.  Sue and I walked to the river on snowshoes and enjoyed the winter woods. 
     This week I accompanied Sue to New Haven each day.  Some days I was working as a volunteer at the museum, other days I went birding on the coast.  Going west was more productive. Highlights were Long-tailed Ducks, Surf Scoters, and a Common Loon between West Haven and Stratford Point.  Friday I went Hammonassett Park hoping to see the Crossbills.  No luck there.  A Cardinal, a Savannah Sparrow, Sanderlings and Gulls on the beach.
     This weekend we plan to stay home and watch OUR birds, the Chickadees, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Titmice, Juncos, and more.

Exploring around town

A few days ago a friend of theirs came to Reno and we went hiking.  This area is on the northwest corner of Reno along the Truckee River. 

Yesterday I drove a bit west to the small town of Verdi to a county park along the Truckee River.  This area is popular for fishing.  I found birds:  a White-headed Woodpecker  (!!!!), 2 male Downy WP,  Mountain Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Bewick's Wrens, Oregon Juncos, and a Belted Kingfisher.  Further north on the road, at a previous river crossing, a male Barrow's Goldeneye floated down the river.  Another avian surprise.
     Late afternoon I walked around Damonte Wetlands in southeast Reno.  Usually I see Green-winged Teal, Mallards, Coot, and Canada Geese.  The female Harrier is usually sitting on her favorite wooden post.  This walk was more exciting,  an immature Golden Eagle flew over my head !!   It took off to the east.   5 minutes later I found 3 Wilson's Snipe feeding in the area where the Bittern had been a week ago.

 I found this juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron at Virginia Lake a few days ago.

Saturday I fly to Connecticut to visit my east coast family.  Snow drifts here I come.

around Reno

a few photos,  The mountains we see from their neighborhood.


The city park, Virginia Lake, had large numbers of Canada Geese, Mallards, and Ring-billed Gulls.  On the far side, a group of Hooded Mergansers were foraging together.

 Such pretty ducks.

Reno

Thursday morning I drove away from San Diego and went north to visit another visit friend.  We had not seen each other for several years.  How much her children have grown !!    We had some good talks.
      Friday afternoon and Saturday I drove north on Hwy 395 to Reno.  At first I was worried about driving the eastern Sierra highway in winter.  Its been very dry in eastern California, with less snow on the high peaks.  Water levels on Mono Lake, and other lakes are really down with each lake showing a large apron of mudflats.  The sky was overcast, so I took only a few photos. 
      My friends have a nice rental house in south Reno with an amazing view of snow-capped mountains.  Sunday morning the high peaks were spectacular against a blue sky.  In the afternoon we walked to a nearby wetlands area carrying our binoculars.  The usual Mallards, American Wigeon, Canada Geese, and Coot were present.  Then an American Bittern appeared at the grassy edge of the water with its bill pointed straight up.  Kris said, that one will get a stiff neck if he stands like that for too long.  Later on we saw a Western Bluebird in a tree.


Top right photo of Mono Lake from the highway.  Lower left photo of Sierras just north of Lee Vining.  There is not enough snow to fill the reservoirs this Spring. 


     

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.