Birding Dawn ‘till Dusk Day 5 San Pedro House

Wilson’s Warbler San Pedro River Sierra Vista 4-11-10

Sunday was probably the best day of birding for Kathryn and I.  We drove to Sierra Vista first thing in the morning and made our first stop San Pedro house on the San Pedro River just east of Sierra Vista on Highway 90.

Though it looks like snow falling through the air as Kathryn raises her bins to check out a black-chinned hummingbird, it is really cotton from the towering cottonwood trees that surround San Pedro House.  The house itself is a gift shop with information about the area as well as books and other gifts.

We find several white-crowned sparrows feeding at the feeders or hiding in the brush…

…along with female red-winged blackbirds and white-winged doves!

Birds seen at San Pedro House:

Location: San Pedro House
Observation date: 4/11/10
Notes: Birding at the house area with Kathryn
Number of species: 15
 
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 14
Black-chinned Hummingbird 14
Rufous Hummingbird 1
Gila Woodpecker 1
European Starling 2
Yellow Warbler 2
Green-tailed Towhee 2
Lark Bunting 4
White-crowned Sparrow 24
Pyrrhuloxia 2
Red-winged Blackbird 40
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 16
House Sparrow 12
 
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

San Pedro River Trail

We followed this trail out towards the river where the trees appear as a flowing green ribbon in the dry brown grass… ..and yellow warblers sing from catkins like gold confetti against an azure sky.

  Ruby-crowned kinglets flutter from the treetops… …while Wilson’s warblers stay low in the willows along the wash…

..and this surprise flew over our heads and landed in the tree above us.  We craned our necks trying to figure this beauty out.  I took several photos of it as I was unsure of what I was seeing and I also noticed the bird had a band on its right leg.  After studying the photos and consulting several bird guides I have concluded it is a Fox sparrow but if you think I am wrong, please tell me and tell me why you think it!

The trees were full of vireos and this one is a Cassin’s as it has the spectacles and the yellow wash along its sides. We saw so many birds here and we had a great time.  We left shortly after noontime and headed over to Ramsey canyon which is really a short drive away.  What a Birdy Day!

Species seen at San Pedro house along the San Pedro River Trail:

Location: San Pedro House
Observation date: 4/11/10

Notes: w/Kathryn - trail from house down to Green Kingfisher Pond then up along the river back to house.
Number of species: 23

Mallard (Mexican) 3
Turkey Vulture 3
White-winged Dove 2
Gila Woodpecker 5
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Vermilion Flycatcher 12
Cassin's Kingbird 1
Western Kingbird 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Canyon Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Yellow Warbler 7
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 5
Common Yellowthroat 5
Wilson's Warbler 2
Green-tailed Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 8

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

And that’s…

My World Tuesday!

My World: Tumacacori National Historic Park

Tumacacori Mission 11-5-09 photo by Kathie Brown w/Nikon D80

(all photos click to enlarge)

The Tumacacori Mission is part of Tumacacori National Historic Park. Located approximately 35 miles south of Tucson, AZ, it is the location of the 1800 Mission of San Jose de Tumacacori. The current ruin is all that remains of a 150 year attempt to establish a permanent Mission in the area. First started by Father Kino and the Jesuits in 1691 on the east bank of the Santa Cruz River, the mission was later moved to the west bank. When the Jesuits priest were expelled from New Spain as it was called in 1767 the Franciscans took over and in 1800 start to build the current church. Its overall designed was scaled back twice and in the end it was never completed. In 1848 the war with Mexico, Apache raids and the hard winter all delt fatal blows to the mission. In December of that year the solders finally abandoned the fort and the final residents left.

Entrance from the visitor center to the patio garden.

Patio Garden



My friend, Sherri 11-5-09



Looking back from inside the church towards the visitor's center.




Exit from the Sacristy



Mortuary chapel and graveyard behind the church.

The unfinished mortuary chapel.

In the walled area around the Mortuary chapel many locals were buried. When the mission was abandoned this area was used to corral cattle and horses. The graves were trampled or destroyed by weather, grave robbers and treasure hunters. In the 20th century some local families started to use the graveyard once again. According to the Tumacacori Interpretive Guide, 593 burials were recorded between 1755-1825. People who moved into the area around 1900 came to know the area as "Campo Santo" or "Holy Ground."

The last person ever buried at the mission...

...a little girl, Juanita T Alegria.

Her grave is maintained to this day and it is the only one that has been identified.

A view of the Mission and the convent from the east looking west.

It is a view which inspires art.

Yes, there are birds at Tumacacori. I saw many species as soon as I entered the patio garden. I counted broad-billed hummingbirds, vermilion flycatchers, all sorts of sparrows and others.

An Audubon's yellow-rumped warbler on a picnic table...

A.K.A. a butter butt!

...and that's MY World Tuesday

To see more photos from the Tumacacori Mission come back for the next posts:

• Inside the Mission
• Inside the Convent
• Windows and doors of Tumacacori

Sycamore Canyon Birds

I know there's seed in there somewhere! 10-14-09

As autumn descends on Sycamore Canyon the bird population continues to change. While nighthawks, white-winged doves and martins have left, the sparrows, warblers and raptors are returning. Though a few turkey vultures still linger, I know that one day soon will be THE LAST DAY I see them until next spring. The Gambel's quail chicks from this summer have almost all matured and show up at my feeder now as adults, except for a few from a late hatching, which still do not have their adult plumage or top knot!

Waiting for the seeds to fall. 10-14-09

I love their happy chatter as they come to clean up seed from beneath the lone sunflower seed feeder. I have severely limited my bird feeding lately due to the presence of rock pigeons. So far it seems to be working, and though I often see these winged pigs on my neighbor’s rooftop, they seldom land in my yard any more.

Gila Woodpecker clown 10-11-09

For awhile I was not seeing many woodpeckers, but they have come back in force again and the Gila woodpeckers crack me up with their laughter –like whinny and their clownish antics. I love to see them hang from the hummingbird feeder sipping nectar through their beaks like a straw. The flickers do not do this however; only the Gila woodpeckers.

On Sunday a juvenile cooper’s hawk hunted my bird feeder causing a dove to crash into the window. I heard the crash and when I came to investigate saw the marvelous raptor sitting on the fence. Later in the day I decided to water the garden and give it a good soaking with the hose. In the process I sprayed the orange tree with its oval basin-like leaves. As I turned away from shutting off the hose I looked up to see a hummingbird splashing with delight in one of the orange tree leaves! The huge leaves made a perfect tiny bird bath for this perfect tiny bird!

Black-throated gray warbler in my backyard 10-13-09

I had the surprise of the week last night when I was sitting out back talking on the phone to my youngest brother. As I he and I were in deep conversation a black-throated gray warbler flew into the yard and landed in the mesquite tree right in front of me! I could not help but gasp, and Chris, understanding my love for the birds, said he could wait if I needed to get a photograph. I did not think the bird would linger, but I casually got up and went inside to retrieve my bins and camera. Sure enough it was still out there and when I sat back down it came close enough for me to capture one quick photo before it flew away! With the Bewick’s wren I saw in the wash with TR last Tuesday and the warbling vireo I saw on September 25, this brings the Sycamore Canyon Bird List to a total of 83 species of birds! It blows my mind to think I live in a place where one can see 83 species of birds all within walking distance of my front door!

Black-throated gray warbler in Gardner Canyon 8-17-08

I took this photo of a black-throated gray warbler last year in Gardner Canyon which is just on the other side of the Santa Rita Mountains from where I live. I included it so you can get a better look at the beautiful coloring of this black and white warbler with its yellow lores. My camera has been acting up and will not focus when I want it to. I am trying to figure this out. Even though it has a fully charged battery, it will take one picture, then refuse to take anymore. It flashes F-- as if the battery is dead or missing. I have to shut it off and turn it back on again and then it will work for a few shots before it rebels on me. Any idea anyone? I have tried removing the lens and reattaching it as well as removing the battery and reinserting it. I have reformatted the card also. It goes through spells like this, then it stops. I don't know why but I hate it when it does. I could have gotten a much better photo of the warbler in my yard if it hadn't balked on me!

My World: Maricopa

Burrowing owl in Maricopa, AZ 9-29-09

Maricopa is a small town in the west desert of Arizona. Despite its name, it is not in Maricopa county, but rather, it is in Pinal county. Though it has been in existence for quite a long time, it has only recently started growing with the housing boom of the early 2000's. since then it has grown to a town of over 32,000. However, like everywhere else in Arizona, that housing boom has now subsided and the building has stopped. Yet, as this town has grown, so have the town parks and man-made lakes, giving rise to new birding habitat as well as the loss of other habitats.

Desert Wind Middle School

I found myself here last week to do a bird presentation for a friend of mine who teaches 7th grade science in the Desert Wind Middle School.

I set up the class with some of my paintings, a few issues of Bird Watcher's Digest and a PowerPoint presentation with photos from my blog and my bird watching adventures. Each class was different but in all classes there were students who were interested and engaged. I did 3 presentations a day for two days.

Mrs. Parker, the science teacher.



Inbetween classes I went out birdwatching. I found these Neotropic Cormorants in a park at Rancho Mirage

And this one roosting in a tree at Pacana Park!

This Great Egret was there as well.

While this yellow-rumped warbler clung to Bird of paradise flowers in Rancho Mirage.

One of Mrs. Parker's Students told us where to find some burrowing owls. It ends up that these owls were relocated form habit lost to development. There were six man-made clusters of burrows with owls in each cluster. I took Ashley Parker out bird watching with me and we counted 18 different owls in this location!







I like the owls so much that I couldn't resist showing you more photos. So, Here is a Gallery of burrowing owls for you viewing pleasure.

Burrowing owl

burrowing owl

Burrowing owl in front of burrow

Burrowing owls standing in shade of utility pole

Burrowing owls

Burrowing owl impersonating a rock

and that's....

My World Tuesday

New River Day 4: High Country

Chestnut-sided Warbler 4-30-09

Today is cold and rainy once again as we set off on a High Country Adventure. Our bus travels bumpy dirt roads and wet paved lanes through the West Virginia countryside. Our guides today are Connie Toops, Paul Shaw and Steve McCarthy.

Bluets 4-30-09

Soon it stops alongside a bog where we clamber out to watch birds. A light rain is falling once again and I marvel at the delicate bluets growing alongside the road. These tiny eastern flowers are a favorite of mine, so much so that I would have had them as my wedding bouquet if I could have, but they are so tiny and fragile that I can only enjoy them in the wild. Looking at them now with nodding heads I recall that I used their colors as inspiration for my wedding instead. It'll be 32 years on June 4th since Gus and I were married. Now, here I am in the woods and meadows of West Virginia while he holds down the fort at home.

Roadside Bird watching 4-30-09

We stop along a couple of places with small ponds and bogs. We see king fishers and swamp sparrows, and red-shouldered hawks. We hear a sedge wren and capture a quick flash of its tiny buffy body as it darts from sedge to sedge. A pair of gnatcatchers scolds us from the brush, while in the distance the red-winged blackbirds trill. At some stops the rain is just too heavy for taking photographs, so I and others leave our cameras on the bus.

Stone work at Babcock State Park 4-30-09

It's mid-morning by the time we reach Babcock State park. The bus lets us off at the top of the road and we walk our way in past this stone structure. The woods are deep green and gray around us. Birds sing from the treetops and bushes. We stop alongside the Rhododendron bushes where we hear a Swainson's warbler call. However, it never comes out into full view for us, no matter how hard Paul and Steve try to call it up.

Alien in the woods 4-30-09

In misty gray light we walk past ancient trees with roots that look like alien bodies buried long ago and now squeezed from beneath the earth. The bus is waiting for us by the old mill and we eat our lunch inside its warmth. It is too cold and wet to dine outside on the picnic tables. Still, many of us try to capture the beauty of the old mill that is so famously photographed by so many people. Soon, we are off to watch birds again. Our ultimate destination today is the bobolink fields. After hearing their calls last night recorded by Wil Hershbereger and played for us at Smokey's on the Gorge I am looking forward to seeing this species of bird more than any other on this trip. We pile into the bus and head up Glade Creek road to our destination.

Great-crested Flycatcher 4-30-09

Along the way we continue to stop and hunt for birds, for birds are everywhere. here by an old farm house with pastures and cows, a pond and some woods the birding is excellent. A great Crested Flycatcher calls from a tree and I am amazed at how loud its voice is. It could easily be confused with our Brown-crested flycatcher or Ash-throated flycatcher if we were in Arizona. thank goodness we are not. This is a Life Bird for me.

Blue-headed vireo 4-30-09

You won't find a blue-headed vireo at your feeders, for these are insect eating birds. I have added 3 species of vireos to my life list so far. These are birds you have to go out and find or look up in your yard. And if you want vireos in your yards, don't spray pesticides! The vireos and other insect eating birds will take care of the bugs for you!

Chestnut-sided warbler 4-30-09

Warblers are everywhere and I finally am able to capture some decent photos of a chestnut sided warbler. the rain has tapered off, and the sun is even starting to peek out now and again. We are all shedding our rain coats and jackets as the muggy temperature rises.

Intense bird watching 4-30-09

Cameras and binoculars are getting a good workout this day. I think they are all looking at a broad-winged hawk on her nest.

Mystery in the water 4-30-09

We wander the gravel road where we discover bear scat and flowers. In a shallow pool we find these flaming orange candles growing from dried leaves. There is mystery and wonder everywhere.

Paul Shaw holds up a clump for all of us to see.

And then, we climb back into the bus. The time is passing by quickly. none of us wants this day to end but poor Connie has to be back to give a speech for the Elderhostel and it is getting late. We finally reach the rolling green fields where bobolinks play. Once again the West Virginia fog has rolled in. We walk through knee high grass. the farmers dogs rush out to greet us with cheerful barks. Normally I love to see dogs, but today I am focused on the birds. These birds. These electronic sounding black balls of feathers. Where are they? Where are they?

I search the field and sky with my bins. I listen with all my might. I find an eastern meadowlark on the wires, but I want to see the bobolinks and then...

Bobolink 4-30-09

I hear them. Then I see them and one lands near enough for me to photograph. but it is still so far away. The light is bad and the ground is wet and we have to go and I don't want to! I want to stay in the bobolink field for the rest of the day! i want to listen to them sing and watch them play. I want to fill my head and ears and eyes with bobolinks. I want to remember this day forever and ever. I pray there will always be bobolinks in the fields of West Virginia. This bird out of all the others is the one I want to go back and see again.

Birds Seen Today *Life Bird

1. Great blue Heron
2. Turkey Vulture
3. Broad-winged hawk
4. Red-shouldered hawk
5. Cooper's hawk
6. Osprey
7. Killdeer
8. Mourning dove
9. N. Flicker
10. Red-bellied woodpecker
11. Downy woodpecker
12. Pileated Woodpecker
13. Great-crested flycatcher*
14. Eastern Phoebe
15. Eastern Kingbird
16. King Fisher
17. Red-eyed vireo
18. Black-throated blue vireo
19. Blue jay
20. Common Raven
21. Crow
22. Northern Rough-winged swallow
23. Barn Swallow
24. Tree swallow
25. Blue-gray gnatcatcher
26. Ruby-crowned kinglet
27. Brown Trasher
28. Eastern Bluebird
29. Robin
30. Wood thrush
31. Black-capped chickadee
32. Tufted titmouse
33. White-breasted nuthatch
34. Sedge wren* (heard with a brief glimpse)
35. Starling
36. Hooded warbler
37. Black and white warbler
38. Common yellow-throat
39. Blue-winged warbler
40. Black-throated blue warbler
41. Chestnut-sided warbler
42. Swainson's Warbler* (heard only)
43. Louisianna Water thrush* (heard only)
44. Ovenbird
45. Song sparrow
46. Chipping sparrow
47. Swamp sparrow*
48. N. Cardinal
49. Indigo bunting
50. Red-winged blackbird
51. Brown-headed cowbird
52. Bobolink*
53. Eastern meadowlark
54. American Goldfinch
    

All of today's photography is by Kathie Brown with the Nikon D80 and the 70 to 300 mm lens.