A Year Full of Bird Part 2

 American Kestrel at Lakeside Park 1-2-13

There’s nothing like starting out the New Year with an American Kestrel! Chris and I did a Big January together and we hit so many eBird Hotspots within the first two weeks of January! I had no idea then how many birds we would see this year.

Who doesn’t love seeing a Hepatic Tanager in Madera in winter?

A red bird against the greenery? Even here in Arizona this is Christmasy!

Madera Canyon 1-4-2013

 

I cannot forget watching the Common Black Hawks take to the sky over Tubac at Ron Morris Park 3-12-13. It was a newly discovered eBird Hotspot for us, though I had checked it out when I lived here before. It was not a hotspot then, but it certainly is now!

With all of our birding adventures we get to see some amazing scenery, like this view of Roosevelt Lake on March 18, 2013. Chris had never been here before while I had been here once with Gus. After this visit we both want to come back next year!

Herring Gull at Roosevelt Lake 3-18-13

 

Chris trying to photograph a bird in Box Canyon 3-20-13

 

I sure was glad Chris was there to help me change a flat tire after our drive through Box Canyon! That’s what friends are for!

It was Chris’ idea to bird all three canyons in Sierra Vista. I had only been to Ramsey Canyon. The other two were new to me and I am not sure that I would have gone without his encouragement! That’s what friends are for!

Black-throated Gray Warbler in Ramsey Canyon 3-23-13

 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker at Ash Canyon 3-23-13

 

Mexican Spotted Owl in Miller Canyon 3-23-13

Life Bird!

Franklin’s Gull at Willcox Lake 4-27-13

 

Painted Bunting 5-4-13

The surreal experience of birding Mt. Ord

Botteri’s Sparrow on Whitehouse Canyon Road 5-30-2013

Life Bird!

 

Semipalmated Plover 8-7-13 at Willcox Lake

But one of the best was a Blue-footed Booby seen at Patagonia Lake State Park just last month!

Life Bird 457!

Of course, when we are out birding we see lots of other animals as well.

Turtles at Agua Caliente Park 9-9-12

 

Antelope at Las Cienegas 9-16-12

 

Coati in Madera Canyon 1-4-13

 

Thanks for a great year Chris!

 

And to think it all started at Agua Caliente Park 9-9-2012!

These are but a few of the photos of our birding adventures this year. I have so many more photos and stories to go, but I wanted to celebrate this year of birding together and becoming friends. I know it has been a big change in my life and in my birding. I know one day i will slow down but since Chris is 15 years younger than me, I hope he will carry on this birding life and when I am older and grayer he will still be birding and perhaps taking me along with him, even if he has to push me in a wheel chair!

• Life’s Unexpected Surprises-Chris’ post about meeting me.
• A Year Full of Birds-all 3 posts on this subject

Chris is not the only birding buddy I have, but since he lives the closest we spend the most time together. My friends mean everything to me and I feel that finding and keeping a good friend is one of life’s greatest treasure. So here is a brief shout out to my other dear friends, Kathryn Kelley, Dawn Fine, and Celeste Troon, you know I love you too!

Birding Bloggers

• Las Aventuras
• My Mountain Green
• Celestial Ramblings
• Dawn’s Bloggy blog 
• Birding Adventures
• Brownstone Birding Blog
• My Backyard
• Roy’s Nature Logbook-a friend I would like to meet in person!