Finches: Part V

Pine Siskins are also typically found in flocks, but near coniferous or mixed forests where they can feed on buds and seeds. We usually see them at our feeders in Spring before they head up to Mount Lemmon:

Pine Siskin Female

Pine Siskin Male

Birding Mount Lemmon Part VI

Still a few more recent photos from Mount Lemmon, here at the Alder Picnic site atop the ridge:

Broad Tailed Hummingbird

Here the Broad Tailed Hummer feeding

The often present Olive Warbler (couldn't get a great photo but...)

Pine Siskin

More from Mount Lemmon

Twice this past week I birded the Upper Sabino Canyon Trail which is at the end of Turkey Run Road in Summerhaven. It's a bit different than Incinerator Ridge or Rose Canyon which are my favorite birding spots on Mount Lemmon. Upper Sabino Canyon Trail is almost another 1000 feet in elevation and there you find Aspens and Douglas Firs. The Douglas Firs are magnificent. You get the feeling of standing inside Mother Nature's Cathedral. They appear to reach the heavens they are so tall.

Both days the predominant bird was the Red Faced Warbler. They seemed to be everywhere.They are easier to find than many of the warblers since they prefer foraging in trees and brush less than 15 feet. And, they often don't seem to mind people around.

Here are a few photos from those two trips:

Brown Creeper

Cordilleran Flycatcher

House Wren

Pine Siskin

Raven

Red Faced Warbler

Red Faced Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Townsend's Warbler

Turkey Vulture

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Ash Canyon B&B

It's always fun to stop at Mary Jo's Ash Canyon B&B whenever I am in the Huachucas. The other day was no different. Here are a few of those photos from Ash Canyon:

Acorn Woodpecker

Bewick's Wren

Black Headed Grosbeak

Cassin's Kingbird

Pine Siskins everywhere

Western Tanager

White Breasted Nuthatch

More from Rose Canyon Lake, Mount Lemmon

Other nice photos from Rose Canyon Lake on Mount Lemmon:

Blue Grey Gnatcatcher

House Wren

Olive Warbler

Pine Siskin

Plumbeous Vireo

Western Bluebird

Back to Birding Mount Lemmon

I continue to bird Mount Lemmon just outside Tucson in Arizona. The first of the birding sites is just 8 miles from us. And from there up to the top (30 miles from us) is outstanding birding. 

I've been on a "mission" to find a photograph a male Olive Warbler. I'm also trying to get a better photo of a Grace's Warbler.

As I've talked with other birders, I think many of the "reported" Olive sightings have actually been Hermit Warblers -- which are plentiful. With almost every trip I find a Grace's but they are extremely difficult to photograph. They are almost exclusively in the top third of the tall pine trees above 7000 feet. That being the case it is difficult to get that full side view in full detail.

Yesterday, at dawn, I started at the top and worked my way down. The thought is that the top gets sun first which attracts the Warblers. Six hours later, I came home after having taken 1350 photos. (Thank goodness for digital). And although I missed on the male Olive again, I came back with some "bests".

Here are a few of the photos:

White Tailed Deer

Female Western Bluebird feeding its Chick

Red Tailed Hawk

Virginia's Warbler

Pine Siskin

Nashville Warbler

Townsend's Warbler

Orange Crowned Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

Cordilleran Flycatcher

Male Hermit Warbler

Birding Mount Lemmon - I

Over the past two weeks I've been trying to focus on Birding Mount Lemmon. First, because it is just "up the hill" from where we live; Second, because I have only had three hours or so each day; Third, because the birding is quite good; and Fourth, because it is 30 degrees cooler than our 100 degree days down below.

Here are what I think are the best birding spots (in order of ascending the mountain):

Molino Canyon Vista
Molino Basin Campground
Cypress and Middle Bear Picnic Areas
Rose Canyon Lake
Incinerator Ridge
Bear Wallow Trail
Sykes Road and Inspiration Rock
Alder Picnic Area
Summerhaven to Marshall Gulch Road
Sky Center to the Observatory


So over the next few days I'll show you some of the photos I've taken during that time.

Tree Swallow

Dusky Flycatcher

Black Headed Grosbeak Female

Black Headed Grosbeak Male

Pine Siskin

Mount Lemmon: Pine Siskin

Pine Siskins are often present on Mount Lemmon in one place or another:

Pine Siskin