Peace on Earth
Note: Inca Dove in Madera Canyon 11-3-2013
Showing posts with label Madera Canyon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Madera Canyon. Show all posts
Friday, December 27, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Red-breasted Birds in SE Arizona
After striking out on finding the Red-breasted Sapsucker in Madera Canyon on November 3rd, Chris Rohrer and I were right back at it in less than a week. Chris had Friday off from work and we jumped in my car and headed south. Though Madera was the ultimate goal, we stopped along the way at Sahuarita Lake in Rancho Sahuarita where a pair of Red-breasted mergansers were reportedly being seen. While I have seen Red-breasted mergansers on the east coast, they would be my first sighting of this species in Arizona IF we could find them. One had been seen previously at Kennedy Lake on the southwest side of Tucson and Chris had already seen it there, but my attempts to find the bird in the same location came up short. I still needed this bird.
We only heard a few birds as we walked along the trail but I was surprised to see a couple of Turkey Vultures circling overhead. A few yellow-rumped warblers flitted in the trees that lined the path and we even found a Ruby-crowned Kinglet near the restrooms! Though I scanned the lake with my bins I did not see anything remotely duck-like on the water until we got closer to the far end of the lake. Finally we found the mergansers at the far end close to the shore and in some kind of slime that slicked their shaggy crest down when they came up after a dive. As we walked slowly closer, they quickly slipped away. Once out in open water again the fresh water rinsed the muck off and they took on the shaggy-crest look once again.
Red-breasted mergansers are ocean going birds and are rarely found inland. The Red-breasted merganser has a longer and thinner bill than the Common merganser, which is frequently seen inland. The Common Merganser female looks similar, but has a shorter bill with a white throat and greater contrast between the reddish-brown head and neck and the white breast. Non-breeding males look very similar to females but according to my Sibley’s Bird Guide males are in breeding plumage from November to May.
After a quick stop to pick up some lunch Chris and I headed for Madera Canyon. While we counted birds along White House Canyon road like we always do on our way into the canyon, we did not linger. We headed straight for the White House picnic area to find our bird. As we drove up into the canyon I was surprised at how many cars were on the road. I had never seen so many cars here! But, word was out about the Red-breast Sapsucker and an even rarer bird had been sighted far up the canyon on one of the trails. Some one had seen an Eared Quetzal! Birders were coming from far and wide to get these species on their Life Lists! Chris and I did not have time or the gear we needed to hike 2 miles up the mountain for the chance of seeing the quetzal, so we headed straight for the picnic area. It wasn’t hard to find the bird, there were already other birders there with bins and cameras. We quickly parked the car and got out.
The birders who were already there were just leaving but told us the spasucker kept returning to an alligator juniper just past a picnic table. Chris and I listened for its call and just as another group of birders joined us the sapsucker flew in! we all sat ourselves down quietly and started snapping pictures! This was a Life Bird for me and I snapped and snapped and snapped away!
Of course, we saw many of the usual winter birds on this day, including Mexican Jays, Acorn woodpeckers, Dark-eyed juncos and the always adorable Bridled Titmouse!
- What’s That in the Grass –part one of this story.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
What’s THAT in the Grass?
November 3, 2013: A few weeks ago Chris Rohrer and I went looking for the red-breasted Sapsucker that was being seen in Madera Canyon. We went to the location where the bird was being seen. We walked all around and searched all the trees. We heard flickers and saw Mexican Jays, but no sapsucker. However, as we were walking past a picnic table I spotted something in the grass. I reached out and grabbed Chris’s arm and told him to freeze! Then I pointed to the green creature slithering through the grass and over the asphalt pad beneath the table.
Apparently this is a rare Green Rat Snake! What a beauty! And then, as we walked down a nearby path we found this:
Madera Canyon is a world class birding area in Southern Arizona. Located in the Santa Rita Mountains, it is reached by driving to Green Valley and taking Continental Road to White House Canyon Road. Once you enter the canyon, it’s like you are in another world.
After leaving the White House Picnic Area we drove farther up into the canyon. It was late in the afternoon and shadows were already falling across the rim draping the canyon in violet light. Farther up the road we found a few more birds, but no sapsucker.
Though we didn’t see the Red-breasted Sapsucker, one can never have a bad day in Madera Canyon! Just watch where you step because you never know what you will find underfoot!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
A Year Full of Bird Part 2
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.
A red bird against the greenery? Even here in Arizona this is Christmasy!
Madera Canyon 1-4-2013
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
The surreal experience of birding Mt. Ord
Life Bird 457!
Of course, when we are out birding we see lots of other animals as well.
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
- Roy’s Nature Logbook-a friend I would like to meet in person!
Sunday, June 23, 2013
The Magic of Madera
Wild Turkey 5-15-13
I have never gone birding at night before. I was soon to discover how magical it can be. Chris Rohrer called me one day in May and asked if I wanted to go find the Mexican Whippoorwills in Madera Canyon. I have never seen or heard a whippoorwill in my whole life, so off we went. The sun was already setting when we drove into the canyon. Once in the canyon it was already dusk.
We drove up to the Kubo Bed and Breakfast and got a brief look at some birds there. Across the street the Wild Turkeys called in the gloaming, gobbling as they flew high into a sycamore to roost for the night. It is quite a sight to see such large birds flying up into such tall trees! Overhead a flock of Turkey Vultures circled in a large kettle. In the dusky woods the Dusky-capped Flycatchers called. We got good looks at them, but the dim light made taking photos nearly impossible and I did not want to use flash. It was enough to see the birds. We walked back down to the amphitheater parking lot where we had parked and waited for the Elf Owl to emerge from its hole. Chris sat on the ground with camera in hand but flash off while I just was ready with my bins. But there were other birders there with cameras on tripods all set up and aimed right at the little owls' nest hole. They were around 10 feet away and when the owl poked its head out, one person took a shot and the flash went off. She said, well, it was only once, but how many others come here and say the same thing. I do not object to flash in some situations, but this was far to close to the bird for my comfort level. Chris and I did not want to be part of this, so we backed off and got into our car and drove farther up the canyon.
Here at the top parking lot the light was fading fast. As I turned the corner to the highest parking lot a fox ran across the road and stopped behind a clump of grass. Chris wanted a shot but he could not see it in the dusk, and then the fox ran off. I finished pulling around and parked the car. It was twilight now and that’s when the magic happened. “Whip-poor-will! Whip-poor-will! Whip-poor-will!” sounded from the surrounding forest. We estimated there were at least eight of them! Then we heard the soft “po-po-po” of the Whiskered Screech Owl! Overhead stars filled the night sky like diamonds tossed onto black velvet! Below us in the valley the lights of Green Valley twinkled like a sequined cape laid across the stage of some Las Vegas night Club. And in-between the diamond strewn sky and the sequined earth darkness faded to even darker shadows and silhouettes of the canyon walls. I walked to my car to get something and suddenly a bird flew right over my head! A whippoorwill! Now I have seen and heard them! Chris and I stood there with our mouths agape. I am amazed no bugs flew in! We did not want to leave. We stayed as long as we dared. We did not want to break that magic spell, but finally we left. I felt like I had just experienced one of the most magical nights of my life! But there was more to come.
Just 15 days later on May 30th Chris and I were back at Madera Canyon to find Botteri’s sparrow and hear the call of the Buff-collared Nightjar. We arrived a bit earlier this time and we were able to find the Botteri’s on the road up to Madera Canyon. We pulled off the road and used the car as a blind and in this way I got several good views of the bird through my binoculars as well as being able to take a few photographs. 
Botteri’s Sparrow 5-30-2013
I was amazed at how flat-headed this sparrow is, and how pretty. It looks quite dull in the bird guides.
But car after car was passing us. The word had gotten out, and everyone was headed for Proctor Road. 
The birds were heard calling farther down this dirt road in a small wash.
We drove along the edge of the mountains, counting birds the whole way. A few more cars passed us, and a few more came behind. One person pulled off to park in the same location as us. Others were already there. Chris and I hiked in the 3/4 of a mile to the location where the bird was being heard. He had been here the night before scoping things out, so he already had these birds on his Life List and knew where to find them. Now he was helping me. It’s funny how fast the student becomes the teacher! People were standing around listening and watching. A few more people meandered in, then, just as dusk was falling we started to hear the bird! It called from the darkness in the mesquite. We all cupped our hands around our ears to listen better and try to locate the bird. A bird guide with a group of people came tromping down the dirt road. I signaled to them to be quiet and pointed to the area where the bird was being heard. They quieted down and came closer. Now everyone was listening. Suddenly Chris’ flash went off from 30 feet away! I looked up to see a silhouette of the bird flying over my head! It was in the air and then gone, but I had seen it! Soon it was calling again. The darkness deepened and we heard a Common Poorwill as well. We were satisfied.
At this point the group started to break up. Chris and I decided to head back to the car. Other's had already left. Some stayed just long enough to hear it and get it on their Life List. Other's stayed behind to see if they could get a photo of this shy bird. One person was using a powerful lamp to illuminate the branches in hopes of seeing the bird. I was content with hearing, and seeing in the darkness, and just being there! Everyone knows that Madera Canyon is a great place to go birding, but now I know that it is a magical place in the night! Between these two little adventures I added four species of birds to my Life List bringing my total to 447. My new Life Birds are: Mexican Whippoorwill, Common Poorwill, Buff-collared Nightjar, and Botteri’s Sparrow!
Note: While I am here in Connecticut, Chris is in Guatemala. We are both birding separately and will soon be back with tons of photos and stories to tell! Then we will go birding together again!
Also, I believe I have heard both the Common Poorwill and the Buff-collared Nightjar when I lived in Sycamore Canyon. I heard the Common Poorwill only on one occasion while standing outside the house at midnight talking to my brother, but the nightjar I heard each summer in the middle of the night, around 3 to 4 AM. I heard them the first summer I was there in 2007. The night was cool enough for me to have my window open and the strange call woke me up. I rushed out the door to listen and then I described the sound in my journal. I would say there were several birds and they called over and over from the wash behind my house. However, I could never figure out what bird I was hearing and no one I asked seemed to be able to tell me what it was, but when I heard the nightjar on this night it sounded the same as the middle-of-then-night calls in Sycamore Canyon. As far as I know, no one but me goes birding up there, so now I am intrigued. What if a whole flock of these rare birds is living in the Sycamore Canyon wash? When I return from Connecticut I may just have to investigate!
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