Yellow Warbler - I

Getting close to the end of my alphabetical listing of my "5" Star Photos we come to the Yellow Warbler. This first photo was taken near the spring in Empire Gulch, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in Southern Arizona.

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warbler - III

And, now a third Yellow Rumped Warbler bathing in a creek in Huachucha Canyon, Huachucha Mountains, Southern Arizona:

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warbler - II

Here is another Yellow Rumped Warbler, this one taken in Ash Canyon, in the Huachucha Mountains of Southern Arizona:

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warbler - I

The Yellow Rumped warbler is found throughout North American and one of the more often seen of the Warblers.

I've been lucky to get close for some wonderful photos. Here is one taken near Joshua Tree National Monument in California:

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Yellow Breasted Chat at Empire Gulch

Continuing with my series on my "5" Star Photos we come to the Yellow Breasted Chat. I was sitting next to a tree -- trying to blend in -- overlooking the spring at Empire Gulch, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in Southern Arizona. I could see that a bird flew down to the water and bathed. However, I couldn't get a good look. But, taking my own advice, I sat still hoping that he would present himself to me. And that he did! He flew up on a dead tree branch to dry out. Lots of photos. Here is the one I selected as a "5":

Yellow Breasted Chat

Wood Duck - III Not quite 5 Stars

Here is an example of a photo that would have been "5" Stars had it turned out clearer. It was an early photo, early 1990's, with a cheap camera.  I like it because it shows a group of male and female Wood Ducks sitting on a downed branch over a pond nearly McNary Dam in Northeast Oregon, just below the Columbia River. Wish it had turned out better. I have found many Wood Ducks since and taken some nice photos of them, but never come across something like this one again. Such it is with Wildlife photography.

Male and Female Wood Ducks

Wood Duck - II

Here's another "5" Star Wood Duck photo taken on a pond at Fort Lowell Park in Tucson:

Wood Duck

Wood Duck - I

Next up, the Wood Duck. The WD is an uncommon duck usually found on sheltered ponds or swamps where there are ample trees and vegetation. Unlike other ducks it nests in tree cavities. This photo comes from Christopher Columbus Lake in Tucson and shows its breeding plumage:

Wood Duck

Wilson's Warbler - II

And another Wilson's Warbler, this one taken on Mount Lemmon:

Wilson's Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

On to the Wilson's Warbler commonly found in the Western United States (occasionally in the east). This photo was taken in Huachuca Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains of Southeast Arizona. Very cute little guy who looks like he's wearing a little black cap:

Wilson's Warbler

Wilson's Phalarope

Here is a Wilson's Phalarope in breeding plumage. The photo was taken at Lake Cochise in Southeast Arizona. It's fun to watch these little sandpipers because they are constantly "spinning" around like a top stirring up insects from the bottom of the pond or lake.

Wilson's Phalarope

Willet

Next up, a Willet photo taken in Humboldt Bay, California. How lucky was this. He flew right in front of me while I was looking through my camera lens? A rare opportunity:

Willet

Wildflowers - II

Continuing with my alphabetical series on my "5" Star Photos we come to a second wildflower photo. I like the simplicity of this one which almost stands out in 3D because of the muted background:

Wildflowers

Wildflowers and Grasses

As I've mentioned before, sometimes when searching for particular animals or birds and not having much luck, I look for other photo opportunities. Such was the case on Mount Lemmon one day when I couldn't pass up this beautiful photo of grasses and wildflowers:

Wildflowers and Grasses

Wild Turkey

Here's a "'5" Star Wild Turkey photo. Two males showing off, not just for the females, but for an audience as well. This photo was taken in Madera Canyon, probably the most reliable place in Southern Arizona for finding Wild Turkeys:

Wild Turkey

White Tailed Deer - V

And the last of my White Tailed Deer "5" Stars is sort of a fun one, almost a hidden picture:

White Tailed Deer

White Tailed Deer - IV

The fourth of my "5" Star White Tailed Deer photos was taken in Glacier National Park of a beautiful Fawn:

White Tailed Deer Fawn

White Tailed Deer - III

The third "5" Star White Tailed Deer photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park. I loved the nice Buck with his velvety antlers lying among the wildflowers.

White Tailed Deer

White Tailed Deer - II

Here's a White Tailed Deer with her two Fawns taken in Glacier National Park, Montana:

White Tailed Deer

White Tailed Deer - I

Continuing with my alphabetical series on my "5" Star Photos we come to the White Tailed Deer. Admittedly, I no longer search for White Tailed Deer to photograph. Actually, I don't often stop to photograph one when I see one -- unless there is something unique about the photo op.

Nonetheless, over the years I have taken some nice photos of them. So for the next few days, it's White Tailed Deer. Starting with this photo taken in Sabino Canyon, Arizona and a Doe with cactus thorns stuck in her chin:

White Tailed Deer

White Eared Hummingbird - II

Here's a second "5" Star White Eared Hummingbird:

White Eared Hummingbird

White Eared Hummingbird - I

On to the White Eared Hummingbird. The WEH is rare to the United States. It is occasionally found in Southwest Texas or Southwest New Mexico, but more often (still rare) found in Southeast Arizona. And, when found in Southern Arizona it is usually in the Huachuca and sometimes Santa Rita Mountains.

Today's photo was taken in Miller Canyon in the Huachucas:

White Eared Hummingbird

White Breasted Nuthatch

Continuing we have a White Breasted Nuthatch which lives year round in much of the US. This photo taken in Madera Canyon, Arizona:

White Breasted Nuthatch

White Pelican - III

And, now number three, the White Pelican; photo taken at Lake Cochise in Southeastern Arizona:

White Pelican

Hiking and Birding Sabino Canyon

Yesterday, Christine and I hiked Sabino Canyon up to the dam where we birded for a hour or so. Then further up the creek another mile, across the creek to the tram road and back down to the parking area.

Did I find the Louisiana Waterthrush I was looking for? In a word no. But, as is often the case, I came home pretty happy. 

A nice 4 1/2 foot long Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

A youngish Gila Monster

A lovely male Broad Billed Hummingbird happily drinking from a Sacred Datura

A beautiful Townsend's Warbler

A sweet little Verdin

And a needed bit of exercise.

Here are some photos:

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Gila Monster

Male Broad Billed Hummingbird

Townsend's Warbler

Verdin

White Pelican - II

Here is the second of my "5" Star White Pelican Photos, this one taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming:

White Pelican

White Pelican - I

I also have three "5" Star White Pelican photos. Unlike the Brown Pelican which prefers coastal waters, the White Pelican can be found in every state west of the Missouri River during migration. This photo was taken at Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming:

White Pelican

White Faced Ibis - III

And, now number three, also taken at Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson:

White Faced Ibis

White Faced Ibis - II

Here's number two, this photo taken at Lake Cochise in Willcox, Arizona:

White Faced Ibis