Best Wildlife Photos of 2016: Bobcat

Bobcats once again take up several slots in my best photos of the year. Something about them -- no matter how often seen -- is exciting. This photo taken here at The Azure Gate B&B:

Bobcat

Best Wildlife Photos of 2016: Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Next up a Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher taken in Saguaro National Park:

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Best Wildlife Photos of 2016: American Kestrel

With the Thanksgiving Holiday over, I have a bit of a break and will try to catch up on my posts. So starting today, and for the rest of the year, it will be my best (or favorite) photos taken this year. I'll do this alphabetically starting with an American Kestrel sitting on top of a Palm tree that had lost its top during the cold January (2016) winter. The photo was taken in what Christine calls "The Alternate Universe," or, on the map Santa Cruz Flats.

American Kestrel

Catching Up: Orange Crowned Warbler

The Orange Crowned Warbler is one of the few warblers that can be found year round in Southern Arizona. 

Once interesting thing about the Orange Crowned Warbler is that the "orange crown" is seldom seen. But no so it this particular photo. It is as if he wanted to make sure I knew who he was:

Orange Crowned Warbler

Catching Up: Vermillion Flycatcher

The Vermillion Flycatcher is a gorgeous bird from Southern Arizona. Often easy to find due to its bright red color and constant sallying about. While the male gets most of the attention, the female is quite beautiful in its own right:

Female Vermillion Flycatcher

Catching Up: Lazuli Bunting

The Lazuli Bunting male is quite attractive, while the female is rather drab. It is fairly common in brushy habitats not too far from water. Here are photos of a female and a male taken at Arivaca Cienegas in Southern Arizona:

Lazuli Bunting Female

Lazuli Bunting Male

Catching Up: Lark Sparrow

The Lark Sparrow is fairly common throughout the Western United States. Although most sparrows get "classified" as LBBs (little brown birds), the Lark Sparrow actually is quite striking in its head pattern. It is common in open grassy areas with scattered trees usually foraging in the grasses.

Lark Sparrow