Huachuca Canyon Birding

Christine and I went to Huachuca Canyon for a picnic/hike/birding "adventure" after breakfast on Tuesday. We arrived around 11:00, so not the best time of day to bird. But we had the canyon all to ourselves.

There was a Robin in her nest, though she flew onto a limb above when she saw us:

American Robin

 And, lot's of Vireos singing away:

Cassin's Vireo

Hutton's Vireo

Bug Eating Birds: Hutton's Vireo

Hutton's Vireo

On Sunday I hiked Miller Canyon and Huachuca Canyon. Having a significant hearing impairment is clearly a handicap when birding. As a general rule I need to see movement in order to find a bird. Of course, if the bird is moving, a photograph is only going to happen if the bird doesn't fly far and lands where a photo is possible.

So although I did find many birds only these two Painted Redstarts and the Hutton's Vireo were still long enough for a photo:

Painted Redstart

Painted Redstart

Hutton's Vireo

Birding Tanque Verde Wash

Well, I have some catching up to do. I visited several of the local birding spots: Tanque Verde Wash, Fort Lowell Park, Sweetwater Wetlands, and Christopher Columbus Park.  Then, yesterday drove to   Organ Pipe National Monument.

So, starting with Tanque Verde wash -- and in no particular order:

Male Lesser Goldfinch

Vermillion Flycatcher

 There was a large flock, 50 or more Cedar Waxwings flying among the very tops of the Cottonwood Trees. There are about 10 in this photo:

Cedar Waxwing

This Sharp Shinned Hawk let me taken a large number of photos. Then I left him right where he was sitting. (After saying "Thank You.")

Sharp Shinned Hawk

Huttons Vireo

Lakeside Park, Tucson

I had a chance to check out some of Tucson's parks yesterday. And, although nothing out of the ordinary, sometimes the ordinary becomes extraordinary. These first two photos from Lakeside Park and good examples:

Vermillion Flycatcher

Hutton's Vireo

Tomorrow: Sweetwater Wetlands.

The Phantom of Patagonia

Well, I was going to share with you my new photos of the Elegant Trogon. However, since I could not find an Elegant Trogon at Patagonia Lake, it became problematic. Such it is when you go looking for something specific. "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 can't take credit for saying that. It comes from Darryl Zero (Zero Effect). So, even though I didn't find what I was looking for I found a Ruby Crowned Kinglet (who just wouldn't stay still); several  Vermillion Flycatcher (middle photo); and a Hutton's Vireo (bottom and again just wouldn't stay still). Also, several other flycatchers, a beautiful male cardinal, and waterbirds including a Great Blue Heron. So, all in all a wonderful day hiking around Patagonia Lake.