Say's Phoebe

Say's Phoebe, Coolidge, AZ 11-1-08 by Kathiesbirds

On the same November morning that I saw the Eurasian Collared Dove I also spotted this Say’s Phoebe perched atop a metal ladder laid against the side of an old barn in Coolidge, AZ. The barn sat at the edge of a vacant agricultural field, a gap between the old part of town and the new subdivisions rising from the dust in the west. This bird’s hunting territory is slowly diminishing as progress grinds ever onward. It may have a brief reprieve due to the current economy, but eventually the field will sprout houses like mushrooms.

Say's Phoebes range from Alaska to Mexico west of the Mississippi. They live here in Sycamore Canyon and I frequently see them hunting from the trees in the wash. I hear their call like a tiny red-tail hawk in the mornings sometimes. Today I saw one as I walked my grandson. It flew down and landed on the metal railings alongside the sidewalk, bobbing its tail with its head feathers raised in a bit of a crest. I was not more than 10 feet from it as it watched me through dark onyx eyes. The thin autumn sunlight cast long weak shadows across the sidewalk as the bird and I observed each other before it finally flew off.

I’m currently reading a book called Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding by Scott Weidensaul. One of the most interesting things I am learning from the book is where the names of some of the birds come from. Say's Phoebe is named for a Philadelphia Quaker named Thomas Say. Though trained as an apothecary, his love of nature and the natural world drove him to learn all he could. As a self-taught naturalist, he joined the 1819 Stephen Long Expedition to the west. His great uncle, William Bartram, was curator of the first natural history museum of the United States and one of his companions on the trek was Titian Peale, son of the famous American artist, Charles Wilson Peale. Say was the first to describe many of the birds and mammals of the west, but his primary interests were insects and mollusks and he published a three volume set called “American Entomology” from 1824-1828.

Say's Phoebe in my backyard mesquite tree 8-14-08

Sycamore Canyon near the Santa Rita Mountains by kathiesbirds.

Blog Award From Jess

As you can tell, I am doing a bit of "Catch-up." Last week I acknowledged an award given to me by my dear fellow blogger, Bobbie. This week I want to thank Jess for her encouragement when she gave me this Brilliant Blogger Award in September. I'm not sure I deserve it but I graciously accept it and thank her for it.

Jess has a blog called Scrapbook Ideas, and though I am not into scrapbooking myself, I do have many other friends who are and I appreciate the creativity. Thank you once again, Jess. I have known Jess since she was a baby. She is the same age as my oldest son, G, and when they were infants he was so big and she was so small that when we sat them next to each other they looked like Pebbles and Bam Bam! Of course as parents we fantasized about them growing up and marrying each other, but that never happened. They each found their own spouses perfectly suited to them. Imagine that! Ironically they were both married the same year and the same month just one day apart! We are still good friends and I enjoy the adult friendship we now have.

So, here are the rules for this award:

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs you’ve nominated.

So, who do I think is a Brilliant Blogger?

1. Beth of Beth's Stories for one. Creative, insightful, and nature loving, I actually met Beth this past summer when I was in Maine. Through her I keep my finger on the pulse of the area where I use to live. I also learn about many new places. Right now she is keeping track of a new beaver family that is building a dam on her parent's property.

2. Lynne of Hasty Brook. Lynne's love of nature and thirst to learn inspires me. I love to visit Hasty Brook for the beautiful photography and humorous writing. However, Lynne has a serious side also. She has been through quite a bit in her life and I admire her courage and the grace with which she has faced the loss of her mother and her sister in such a short span of time. Hugs to you, Lynne.

3. Klaus of Virtua Gallery for all the brilliant websites he administers, like Skywatch Friday and My World Tuesday. I know he has lots of help on those websites and those people deserve high praise also, but I want to acknowledge Klaus for his brilliant photography and his constant commenting on this and other blogs. I swear I see his face everywhere and he is always so cheerful!

4. Gossamer Tapestry. Doug Taron, of course, my premier bug and science guy!

5. Susan Gets Native. Spunky, sassy, silly and serious, Susan is all of this and informative too! She works with Raptor Rehab in Ohio. What could be more Brilliant!

6. Quiet Paths. Go here to sooth your soul and refresh your spirit!

7. Got Bladder Cancer? Okay, this one comes with a warning. You have to be brave to read this one. While it's not for everyone, Steve is my friend. He has bravely been fighting a battle with Bladder cancer and if you know anyone else who is, this is a great place to send them for real life info, no holds barred, in-your-face reality.

Skywatch Friday: Eurasian Collared-Dove

Eurasian Collared-Dove in Coolidge, AZ by kathiesbirds 11-1-08

Click to enlarge for the best view

What's the best thing to do the morning after Halloween? Go for a bird walk of course! I set out early on November 1, 2008 to see what I could see after spending the night in Coolidge to witness my grandson, Xavier's first Halloween. G had told me he had seen a "little owl" in the barren field behind the school. I decided I would try to find the owl. I was unsuccessful that morning but I did find this Eurasian Collared-Dove perched atop a weather vane. Did it, perhaps know that the winds of change were in the air?

Eurasian Collared-Doves are an old world species that became established in Florida in the 1980's according to Kaufman's Field Guide to Birds of North America. They have expanded their range north and west since then. Not to be confused with Mourning Doves, this bird lacks the dark spots on the wings but it sports a dark, thin crescent on the back of the neck. Unlike the pointed tail of the Mourning Dove, this bird's tail is square with more extensive white and its wings do not make that characteristic whistling sound when it takes of. The voice is different also. It is found most often in suburbs and cities and is less likely to be found in wild areas. I saw my first one in Fort Myers, Florida on January 18, 2003.

To see more amazing sky photos click on the button below.

Birds seen in Coolidge 11-1-08: 1. kestrel (1), 2. mourning dove (43), 3. Eurasian collared-dove (7), 4. raven species (4), 5. Anna's hummingbird (1), 6. Rock pigeon (3), 7. killdeer (3), 8. northern flicker (1), 9. Say's phoebe (1), 10. verdin (1), 11. house finch (6), 12. house sparrow (50), 13. great-tailed grackle (30).

My World: Sabino Canyon

It's My World Tuesday and, No, I am not hiding in a cave, I am out voting!

This picture was taken on September 14, 2008 on our monthly bird survey of Sabino Canyon for Tucson Audubon's Important Bird Areas Survey program. As a volunteer I usually have to get up 2 hours before sunrise in order to be on time, since Sabino Canyon is an hour north of where I live. It's always hard to get up early but I'm always glad once I'm there. Sabino Canyon is a magnificent place and one of these days I'm going to go farther than the mile and a half we hike in to do our survey! Even in that short distance the scenery is spectacular!

Scroll down or click on The Birds of Sabino Canyon to see some of the birds we have recorded there in the last two surveys.

The Birds of Sabino Canyon

Hermit Thrush by kathiesbirds
10-14-08

The summer birds are gone and the winter population is moving in. We counted this little bird near Sabino Dam in the thick of the brush.

Whitecrowned sparrow by kathiesbirds 10-14-08

Out in the sunshine a White-crowned sparrow looks over the land.

Hammond's Flycatcher 9-16-08 by Kathiesbirds


In September the last of the hummingbirds were still hanging around. Only a few linger now. Nearby this little Hammond's Flycatcher hunts insects in the brush.



Juvenile Cooper's Hawk 9-16-08 by kathiesbirds

Across the creek a juvenile Cooper's Hawk keeps watch for the slightest movement.


Clark's Spiny Lizard eats insect 9-16-08


We rarely finish our hike without seeing at least one lizard, but it was a real treat to find this Clark's Spiney Lizard with a mouth full of beetle beneath some brush. Burp!



Come back tomorrow for MY WORLD TUESDAY!

Sabino Canyon Bird Counts:

Location: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Observation date: 9/16/08

Notes: IBA Survey transect with Jean, Peggy and Pam. I counted all the way back to the car as well, a half mile farther than the transect.

Number of species: 28

Gambel's Quail 3
Turkey
Vulture 2
Cooper's Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk (Western) 2
Prairie Falcon 1
Mourning Dove 5
Broad-billed Hummingbird 4
Black-chinned Hummingbird 6
Anna's Hummingbird 3
Gila Woodpecker 3
Red-naped Sapsucker 1
Hammond's Flycatcher 1
Black Phoebe 1
Bell's Vireo 5
Plumbeous Vireo 2
Common Raven 1
Verdin 4
Cactus Wren 3
House Wren 4
Curve-billed Thrasher 2
Lucy's Warbler 2
Wilson's Warbler (Mountain West) 2
Green-tailed Towhee 1
Abert's Towhee 2
Northern Cardinal 1
Black-headed Grosbeak 1
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 20

Location: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Observation date: 10/14/08

Notes: IBA survey plus the hike in and out. 44F@ 7:00AM. No wind or clouds. We weren't seeing many birds until we were halfway through the transect. This is probably due to the cold temps and the construction going on at the beginning of the transect where 2 new restrooms are being built. Transect is along Sabino Creek. Once we were south of
the construction zone and the sun started to hit the canyon the birds came out in force.

Number of species: 19

Gambel's Quail 15
Mourning Dove 6
Gila Woodpecker 3
Black Phoebe 1
Common Raven 1
Verdin 5
Cactus Wren 7
Rock Wren 4
House Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
Curve-billed Thrasher 2
Phainopepla 5
Abert's Towhee 4
Song Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
House Sparrow 10

Blog Award from Bobbie

Quite a few months ago Bobbie, of Almost There, gave me a Blog Award. It was right before I went on my trip to New England and so I never published it. I would like to do so now because I so appreciate her kindness and her Blog. Bobbie is always supportive of new bloggers. She especially supports environmental concerns, poets, and artists. I have found some very interesting new blogs because of her. So here's a big shout out to Bobbie and her blog, Almost There. Thank you for your kindness, your constant support, and especially for being my friend.

The rules for this award are as follows:

l.) Choose five blogs that you consider deserve this award for creativity, design, interesting material, and for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2.) Each award must have the name of the author and a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3.) Each award winner must show the award and put the name and link to the blog of the one who has given the award.

4.) The award winner and the one giving the award must show a link to "Arte y Pico" blog, so that everyone knows its origin. That link is here: Arte y Pico

My five picks are:

1. Vickie Henderson Art, new blog I have discovered with beautiful art and photographs of Whooping Cranes.

2. Out With Ari, one of my favorite reads. Humorous as well as informative. Go here to see life through the eyes of a Canine Naturalist in Maine.

3. Nature Girl from Nature Trail. This blog is artistic and beautiful with lots of garden flowers and nature photos to boot.

4. Troy and Martha from Ramblings Around Texas have a very creative and informative blog. Troy is always there to help fellow bloggers in need.

5. From the Faraway, Nearby. T.R. has one of the most beautiful photography blogs out there, but his writing is what keeps me coming back. If you'd like to see the world at a dizzying pace, visit this blog.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Come into my parlor said the spider to the fly...


Trick or Treat!