Animal Signs: Black Chinned Hummingbird

Here a Black Chinned Hummingbird stopped on this sign for a rest before headed back to a nectar feeder:

Black Chinned Hummingbird

Hummingbirds of Southern Arizona: Black Chinned Hummingbird

The Black Chinned Hummingbird's normal range in the summer is essentially the Western United States excluding Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. It winters along the Mexican and Central American west coast. 

The Black Chinned is abundant in its range. So you find one, you find many.

Black Chinned Hummingbird

The Joys of Birding -- or so

Once again the ability to accept defeat has surfaced. I spent the last two days photographing --- well, not necessarily photographing -- with some "birding" friends. Thursday we visited: Florida Canyon, Madera Canyon, Montosa Canyon, Amado WTP, Rio Rico Ponds, Kino Springs. Friday we visited WOW Arizona and Incinerator Ridge on Mount Lemmon. What a nice list of birds including townsend's, hermit, yellow, and red-faced warbler; western wood peewee, yellow eyed junco, several vireos, stellar jays, black hawk ---- oh, the list goes on .... 

The best birding spots were Florida Canyon and Mount Lemmon by far. However, I must admit that I didn't come home with one photograph that I would rate a four or five. 

But all those birds were quick looks. Gone in a flash -- or darting around on the backside of bushes and trees.  I wish that birds --- well, didn't have wings. It would make photographing them much easier. On Incinerator Ridge you are walking beneath a forest of pine trees. Unfortunately not much light gets through. Add to that the "flightiness" of birds and you can understand the difficulty.

However, we did see a Berylline Hummingbird in Madera Canyon at Chuparosa Inn. And, there were plenty of hummers including Allen's and Costa's at WOW Arizona. The hummingbirds were my best photos of the past two days. Here are a few:

Berylline Hummingbird

Allen's Juvenile Hummingbird

Costa's male and female fussing

Broad Billed Hummingbird

Black Chinned Hummingbird

A Day in the Life of a Photographer Birder

We have some wonderful guests staying with us (Susie and Steve) that have become good friends over the years. Yesterday, after breakfast we headed out together to Huachuca Canyon to do some birding. The scenery was beautiful, the "hike" was welcomed exercise, the company was enjoyable ......... oh, and the birding was better than expected. 

Here's how the day went pictorially: 

Almost immediately there was the barking of an Elegant Trogon. Thanks to Steve we located it very quickly. Getting a good photograph was a little tricky as it moved around frequently and always with lots of tree branches and leaves obstructing the view or making focusing difficult. Of the 15 or so photos only one was in focus with no obstructions. Of course, his head was turned at the time.

Elegant Trogon

Then we were treated to a pair of Hepatic Tanagers. The male quickly flew up the wall of the canyon. I could see him occasionally but he was much too far for a photo. I only got one photo before he flew away. It's a completely out of focus photo that I only -- temporarily -- saved to demonstrate the difficulties in photographing birds.

Hepatic Tanager Male

The female Hepatic Tanager presented a different challenge. She flew about six feet from me, but with my super telephoto lens was too CLOSE to focus on. She also had the habit of sitting directly above me or directly into the sun. After a couple of minutes though she appeared at a distance of about 100 feet and I was able to get some photos. This is the one I like best:

Hepatic Tanager Female

Next comes a treat for me. My first good photo of a Black Throated Gray Warbler. With the photo comes the knowledge of just how beautiful this bird is. The illustrations in Sibley's for example, really don't do this bird justice. So, for me, this was the prize of the day:

Black Throated Gray Warbler

We continued on to an area with a magnificent Sycamore Tree. It just felt like the perfect place to sit for a bit. To our surprise and good fortune, Steve found a couple of Hummingbird nests in the surrounding fir trees. We watched as the hummers flew into and out of their nests. It was delightful. It took some maneuvering to get to a place where a photo was possible. Susie suggested that I climb an adjacent tree.   After we all had a good laugh I continued to search for an answer. A hillside next to one of the nests provided the best angle. Identifying the hummer is a bit tricky, but I am guessing a Black Chinned Hummingbird. Here's one of the photos of her sitting on her nest.

Black Chinned Hummingbird

 Next, a California Sister Butterfly seemed to provide a wonderful photo op:

California Sister

And, in the occasional absence of birds, plants provided a couple of photos:

Columbine

Just some Grasses

Then finally, what would have been a nice treat was a Hermit Warbler. But, once again he moved around so quick a photo was very difficult. This one too will go into the trash bin as soon as the post is done.

Hermit Warbler

So, all in all a wonderful day birding with good friends. Thanks Susie and Steve!