My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 20

Continuing with my favorite wildlife photos of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Yellow Breasted Chat

A Yellow Breasted Chat rounds out my top 20 photos of 2017. This warbler is more often heard than seen.  Early morning is the best time when they come out from underneath brush.  I'm always thrilled when I see one. I love the deep yellow color offset by the clean white belly.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 19

Continuing with my favorite wildlife photos of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Wilson's Warbler

I particularly like the fine detail and the color in this photo close up of the Wilson's Warbler along Patagonia Creek.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 18

Continuing with my favorite wildlife photos of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

White Tailed Deer

Deer are abundant all over North America. So I don't always stop, let alone take photos of them. Yet, here I was compelled. And, the result was better than I expected. The White Tailed Deer in the foreground in perfect focus; then a second deer in the background resembling a ghost. Lovely.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 17

Continuing with my favorite wildlife photos of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Vermillion Flycatcher

Found mainly in Southern Arizona, this very photogenic Vermillion Flycatcher let me get close for a photo.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 16

Continuing with my favorite wildlife photos of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Tropical Kingbird

The Tropical Kingbird is not rare, but uncommon to the US. I found this one in what Christine calls "The Alternate Universe", otherwise known as Santa Cruz Flats halfway between Tucson and Phoenix. He let me get very close. Love the detail and the colors.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 15

Continuing with my favorite wildlife photos of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Rosette Spoonbill

This was a treat. Rosette Spoonbills are typically only found along the Gulf Coast. But the hurricanes sent four of them to Southern Arizona. I found the four at Aquirre Lake, Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge along the US/Mexico border.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 14

Continuing with my favorite wildlife photos of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Pronghorn

This was taken at Las Cienegas in June with a temperature of 110 degrees. No wonder the Pronghorn was in the shade of the Mesquite Tree.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 13

Continuing with my favorite wildlife photos of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Painted Redstart

Here's another little Warbler singing away, the Painted Redstart. 

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 12

Continuing with my favorite wildlife photos of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Olive Warbler

The Olive Warbler is one of my favorite birds to photograph. I've mentioned before, how the name "Olive" warbler seems inappropriate since there is not a speck of olive color on the male. I'd prefer the name "Butterscotch" Warbler since it's hood is a rich butterscotch color.

The Olive Warbler lives above 7,000 feet and almost exclusively high up in Ponderosa Pines. So finding and getting a good photograph is always challenging. 

This one was singing away. I like the blue background and the out of focus pine needles behind the warbler. 

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 11

Continuing with my favorite wildlife photos of 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Lucy's Warbler

Another very simply but lovely photo; this of a Lucy's Warbler sitting on a branch of a Palo Verde Tree here at The Azure Gate B&B. I like the color and composition. 

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 10

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

Green Heron

Green Herons are fairly elusive. I came across this one in a very small open channel between the reeds. I like the composition, the colors, and the reflection. 

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 -9

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

Feral Burro

If I had to choose, this would probably be my "Very Best Favorite" photo of 2017. I took this photo at Imperial National Wildlife Refuge along the Colorado River. He was very inquisitive; actually started walking toward me until he heard from his mom. Then he walked back to her. But, I can't help it, I think Wild Burros are beautiful!!

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 8

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

Elegant Trogon

I took this photo in what I consider the most reliable place to find the Elegant Trogon, Huachuca Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains. 

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 7

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

Coyote

Christine and I were hiking in Tanque Verde Wash when we came across what appeared to be a log in the middle of the wash some 200 yards away. However, after a few steps closer, the "log" moved. We were able to get within 75 yards before the "log" -- well, now we realized it was a Coyote, got up and started walking into the brush. I was able to get several photos but like this one best because he was walking and looking at us at the same time.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 6

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

Caterpillar

I love the colors her of the Caterpillar and wildflowers.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 5

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

Burrowing Owls

I found these little guys at what Christine calls "The Alternate Universe." On the map it is called Santa Cruz Flats about half way between Tucson and Phoenix. 

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 4

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

Bobcat

There were two siblings very early one morning at Pena Blanca Lake 7 miles from the US/Mexico  border. This one wanted to pose for me.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 3

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

Black Tailed Gnatcatcher - I like the "sweetness" of this little bird along with its composition.

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 2

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

Anna's Hummingbird chicks sitting on their nest here at The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 1

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my 20 favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

American Kestrel

Animals in Trees: Raccoon

When we lived in Bellevue, Washington our home backed up to a "Greenbelt" and although not exactly wilderness, did have its share of wildlife. Deer were frequent visitors as were raccoons. I remember once that seven raccoons were on our deck looking in through the sliding glass door. 

I suspect this is the most common "sighting" of raccoons -- i.e. backyard. So it is a bit of a surprise when I see them in true wilderness areas.

He is a photo of a raccoon family in a willow tree at Sweetwater Wetlands.

Raccoon

Animals in Trees: Porcupine

The "Common" Porcupine is actually not very common. In my 25 plus years of hiking in wilderness areas I can't count the number of porcupines I've seen one one hand. Part of this is because they are mostly nocturnal. But they do sleep in trees during the day as this one was near Dry Falls in Central Washington:

Common Porcupine

Animals in Trees: Coatimundi

One of my favorite animals to photograph is the Coatimundi. 

The first photo gives the idea of how adept Coatis are in going from tree to tree. Coatis can weigh up to 18 pounds (versus about 2 pounds for a squirrel). Yet they move from tree to tree as if they were as light as a feather.

Coatimundi in the Galiuro Mountains

Coatimundi sleeping

I played hide-n-seek with this Coati for 20 minutes or more

Another sleeping Coati

Coati in the Chiricahua Mountains

Animals in Trees: Bobcat

Bobcats have few predators, humans being the primary predator. They don't get along well with the Lynx, so their territories don't overlap much. (Bobcat, US - Lynx, Canada). Mountain Lions would also be a predator, but again Bobcats tend to stay at lower elevations to avoid Mountain Lions.

Bobcats, like other cats will scamper up trees if threatened. But primarily they go up trees to sleep or to get a good view of potential prey.

The Bobcat in this photo was sleeping -- though I woke him up with my presence.

Bobcat in Mesquite Tree

Animals in Trees: Bears

I thought I'd do a fun little series on Animals in Trees. Of course, the most common would be squirrels -- and I include some squirrels at the end. 

Today, Bears:

Bears like trees. They go into trees for two reasons: First, for safety they may scamper up a tree to get out of reach of a potential predator -- humans. But secondly, for food. In the Spring it is fresh easily digestible buds or flowers. In the fall it is berries or pine nuts.

Cinnamon Black Bear going after pine nuts in Wyoming

Young Black Bear learning to climb

Young Cinnamon Black Bear trying to impress mom

Black Bear in Alberta, Canada going after new buds

Black Bear in Ramsey Canyon, Arizona

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Note: We would like to welcome Reunion as the 137th country/territory to visit our Blog. Actually part of France, Reunion is east of Madagascar off the eastern coast of Africa. 

Christine and I took guests to Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge yesterday. We walked the 1 mile loop around Grebe Pond. And while Aguirre Lake was dry, Grebe Pond provided some very nice birding opportunities.  

Lots of sparrows and yellow rumped warblers; with a small contingent of ducks and one great egret. But the highlights for the day were a single Snow Goose, a pair of Long Billed Curlews, and a pair of Prairie Merlins.

Oh, and a couple of young White Tailed Deer. Here are my favorite photos of the day:

Long Billed Curlew

Prairie Merline

Snow Goose

White Tailed Deer

Sweetwater Wetlands: animals

When I get a chance to go early, I am always looking for - and hoping to find Bobcats or Raccoons. Of course any time of the day there are Desert Cottontails.

One of the mornings last week I found an Arizona Cotton Rat:

And then a Coyote which was hunting in one of the Recharge Basins:

Sweetwater Wetlands: other birds

NOTE: I would like to welcome visitors from Iran, the 136th country to visit our Blog. Just today there have been visitors from:   United States, Canada, Netherlands, Iran, Japan, Brazil, France, Thailand, Ukraine, Ireland, South Korea, and Romania. Regardless of politics or religion, we all seem to have a common interest in Wildlife. Thank you.

Continuing my birding at Sweetwater Wetlands:

Though I was really concentrating on those rare warblers, there were lots of other birds interested in getting a photo:

Cardinal

Cooper's Hawk

Gilded Flicker

Green Heron

Red Naped Sapsucker

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Verdin building her nest

Sweetwater Warblers

Sweetwater Wetlands can be one of the very best birding sites in Southern Arizona. It would certainly be a mistake to go there just looking for waterbirds. At any time of the year you can find a few warblers and other songbirds. The past couple of weeks has produced the following warblers: Black and White, Black Throated Gray, Black Throated Blue, Common Yellowthroat, Chestnut Sided, Orange Crowned, Tennessee, Townsend's, Yellow, and Yellow Rumped Warblers. Yep, 10 in all.

I missed out on the Chestnut Sided and Black Throated Blue -- much to my disappointment. But that's often the case when looking for rare birds. It reminds me of a Daryl Zero quote:

"Now, a few words on looking for things. When you go looking for something specific, your chances of finding it are very bad. Because of all the things in the world, you're only looking for one of them. When you go looking for anything at all, your chances of finding it are very good. Because of all the things in the world, you're sure to find some of them."

I did see the Townsend's but was unable to get a photo. I saw the Black and White twice but photos were not good. And I saw the Yellow very briefly though did manage a so-so photo.

Not very good Black and White Warbler photo

Black Throated Gray Warbler

Common Yellowthroat Female

Common Yellowthroat Male

Orange Crowned Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warbler Juvenile

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Yellow Warbler