Swainson's Hawk - III

The third of the "5" Star Swainson's Hawk photos come from The Azure Gate on a telephone pole more often frequented by Harris Hawks. But, what the heck, I'll take a photo of whoever sits there:

Swainson's Hawk

Swainson's Hawk - II

Here we have another Swainson's Hawk, this time photographed in Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, in Southern Arizona:

Swainson's Hawk

Swainson's Hawk - I

Continuing with my alphabetical series on my "5" Star Photos we come to Swainson's Hawk. Swainson's Hawk is found throughout the Western United States, lower Western Canada, and Northern Mexico. This mother, father, and baby were photographed near the Florida Mountains in Southeast New Mexico:

Swainson's Hawk

Mount Lemmon, Red Faced Warbler

I had been up to Incinerator Ridge on Mount Lemmon several times looking for the Red Faced Warbler without luck. That's not to say I didn't find and photograph several other birds of significance (Townsend's, Wilson's, and Tennessee Warblers, Ruby Crowned Kinglets, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Wood Peewee, and more).

But, finally on Monday, I was successful in getting the beautiful little Red Faced Warbler. Of course, after seeing the resulting photo, I realized that a flash probably would net me a photo with more detail and clarity. So, today I'm going to head back up to Incinerator Ridge and try again with the flash. Nonetheless, here's the photo I got on Monday:

Red Faced Warbler

Summer Tanager - Male

And now the male "5" Star Summer Tanager:

Summer Tanager - Male

Summer Tanager - Female

It's time for the Summer Tanagers to arrive in Tucson. Also time to get back to my alphabetical series of my "'5" Star Photos. And next up is the Summer Tanager, starting with a female. Summer Tanagers are a nice find. The Summer Tanager is a migratory bird, spending its summers in the Southern US, and winters in the Northern parts of South America.

While the male is easy to identify, the female Summer Tanager could easily be mistaken for a Hepatic Tanager in the Southwest where their ranges overlap.

Here, though the female Summer Tanager:

Summer Tanager - Female

Gila Monster Time

Gila Monsters spend much of their time under ground (up to 10 months a year). So when we see one it is a treat. They are venomous so you must be careful. They are also protected by law. It is illegal to pick one up, have one as a pet, or kill one. Last week Christine and I were coming home after a hike in Saguaro National Park and found one on a back road. We stopped and I was able to get some nice photos:

Full length with tongue protruding:

Gila Monster

Close Up and Personal:

Gila Monster

 Finally getting off the road and into the grass:

Gila Monster

 Then a couple of days ago our neighbor called me because there was a Gila Monster in her kitchen. (She likes to leave the door open). So I went over to help it find the outside where he belonged. Here is a photo of the Gila Monster just after I got it out the door (with a broom):

Gila Monster