Senegal Parrot in Tucson?

I was eating my lunch by the pool today watching all the birds, and thinking what a life. And I was thinking about all of the birds and animals that have passed our way. Animals like Kitt Fox and Desert Gray Fox, Javelinas, Bobcats, Coyotes, 10 different kinds of snakes and as many different kinds of lizards including the gila monster; and birds like wild turkeys, roadrunners, and Senegal Parrots. WHAT?? Senegal Parrot? Aren't they only found in Africa? Well, natively, yes. But, sure enough I remember eating lunch one day by the pool and seeing this very unique looking bird. Looked like a parrot, in fact. Went and got my camera first. Took this picture of him sitting on the end of an outdoor bench. Then had to go on line to figure out what it was, since it wasn't in any of my North America bird books. He hung around for a while. I tried to get close to see if he was friendly and I could "catch" him. (Hoping then to find someone who may have "owned" him as a pet). There's a very good Tucson Animal Rescue Center here that could have cared for it. But, it wasn't to be. He flew away moments later.

Our Little Friends Are Back

Yesterday, we were talking with some guests in the living room, when just outside the big picture window was this Harris Antelope Ground Squirrel. He was standing on a rock looking in at us. (I didn't have my camera so this is an earlier photo.) I was reminded of just how much fun they are. They stay underground during the cold winter months although they do not "hibernate." But it is starting to warm up here so we are starting to see them. Their tail is bushy and in the summer months held back over it's body -- as an umbrella to keep them cool. When they run they are like those little Matchbox Cars of the 60's and 70's. They zoom around as if hydroplaning. You can't see the feet move at all. Although, they look like Chipmunks they are in fact, squirrels and only found in Southern Arizona.

British Columbia Bighorn Sheep

Our last stop this blog trip is British Columbia. Spences Bridge is about 60 miles northwest of Merritt in Central BC. It is along the Thompson River (a good river to fish) which flows into the Fraser River. Bighorn sheep live in the mountains in that area but come down to the river for water frequently during the summer. Their easiest access in at the town of Spences Bridge. I had read that this was a good site to find sheep so off I went. And, they were right. My first try was successful, finding this young ram and six ewe's munching along the side of the mountain road. This was an early photograph of mine -- while I was still do some flyfishing. And, although I have taken better photos of the years I still like this one -- my first Bighorn Sheep in the wild.

Alberta Bighorn

Continuing our journey further north into Alberta, Canada now. This is the Canadian Rockies above the Columbian Icefields across from the Stutfield Glacier. It's June, and as you can see still some snow around. It seems as though the older wild animals get the wiser and more accepting they are. Some familiar? I had to climb a bit to get this photo, and then decided not to continue. Just didn't seem right to disturb him. In retrospect, I think this would have been the best photo anyway.

Going To the Sun in Montana

I realized that before we leave Montana, I should include a photo from Glacier National Park which was established in 1910 and thus is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. GNP encompasses 16,000 square miles of Montana bordering Alberta and British Columbia. On the Canadian side is Waterton Lakes National Park, another breathtaking example of the beautiful snow covered mountains surrounding a crystal clear lake. Bison and Woodland Caribou were common to GNP before 1900 but were hunted to extinction. Grizzly Bears, wolverines,  wolves, and Canadian Lynx are native to the park and are protected due to their small numbers in the lower 48. The good news is that the populations have stabilized. GNP has nearly every other large mammal: moose, mule and white tail deer, elk, black bear, mountain lion, badger, mink, fisher, marten, river otter, and porcupine. The main road through the park is the "Going to the Sun" highway, constructed during the depression by FDR's (CCC) program of putting the unemployed to work in the National Park Service. It is 53 miles of hairpin turns going up and over the Rocky Mountains. About five years ago I was driving the highway and as I went over Logan Pass at 6,646 feet, there were a couple dozen cars along side the road -- i.e. "animal traffic jam" very similar to Yellowstone. There were three Mountain Goats by the side of the road. I was able to get a parking place so could spend as much time as I wanted. As you might imagine everyone was taking photos. Some with their "point and shoot" and some with professional gear. I have mentioned this before, but if you are really looking for a great photo, don't leave until you get one. Most people took a photo out of the window of their car as they drove by. Some jumped out of their car, took a photo, and jumped back in their car and off they went. My best photo was this one -- about 45 minutes after I arrived there. That really wasn't a very long wait for a good photo. Photographers Practice Patience with a Passion.

Montana Bighorn Sheep

The National Bison Range in Western Montana is a favorite place to visit for me. It is another of Teddy Roosevelt's National Wildlife Refuges established in 1908 with the first Congressional allocation of funds . So, it is one of the oldest NWR in the US.  It's main attraction is about 500 Bison (which I have shown you before). It also is a fairly reliable place to find large White Tail, Mule Deer, Elk, and Bighorn Sheep. And, while there is a fair Mountain Goat and Black Bear population I have not been lucky in that regard. Not that I haven't spend many an hour looking for them. But, that is the "nature" of wildlife photography. One summer I was hiking up over this mountain looking for Mountain Goats, and came across this lazy Bighorn Ram. He didn't seem much bothered by me. And, I soon forgot that I was looking for goats, and sat in the grass about 20 yards away as content as he was. Those are the days that renew the spirit -- clean the cobwebs, forget the troubles, and bring joy and peace into your life. A few precious minutes and a lifetime of memories.

Utah Bighorn Sheep

I guess I'm taking you on a state by state tour of bighorn sheep. The Flaming Gorge National Wildlife Recreation Area is a scenic drive through Southern Wyoming along the Green River and then into Northeastern Utah and the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The list of wildlife is extensive, including moose, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and mule deer. The most southern end extends into Ashley National Forest. I spent a day traveling the back roads of the Utah portion of Flaming Gorge. And along the Sheep Creek Geological Loop came across these three bighorn rams. It was a momentary encounter, as soon they fled up the mountain. All three were much lighter in color than others I have seen and photographed. At the time I thought they might be a subspecies. But, no. They are Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, which is the largest and most populated of the bighorns in the US and Canada.