Two Days of Local Birding, More or Less

Sunday, September 9, 2018
I discovered there's a reason the Audubon groups visit the West Valley (of Phoenix) agricultural fields later in the year! Then, I would count a variety of hawk species on utility poles along every road. Today, it was a different story but AMERICAN KESTREL filled in for the missing hawks on poles and utility wires. Driving and photo shooting caused me to prioritize in favor of driving the roads to find as many birds as possible.

My best photo of an AMERICAN KESTREL in the wild--from my files.

With friend, Pam Riede, we visited the Lower River Road Ponds that were surprisingly bereft of waterfowl! But an OSPREY was perched in the distance, just about as far as my camera reaches.

OSPREY

Pam was first to pick up on the BURROWING OWLS along the ponds.

This one seemed curious; it flew toward us and perched, returning our gaze across the ditch.

A GREATER ROADRUNNER is always a good find.

GREATER ROADRUNNER

TROPICAL KINGBIRDS surprised me at Arlington Wildlife Area with tittering vocalizations.

Foraging in the only irrigated field we located were a flock of WHITE-FACED IBIS and a good number of GREATER YELLOWLEGS. Since these birds were all walking away from us (giving butt pics), I'm posting some WFIB from last year in similar fields out there.

The thin white outline at the base of the Ibis's bill is how it gets its name.
On this Ibis it barely shows as it is in winter or basic plumage; it is wider and brighter in breeding plumage.

Monday, September 10, 2018
Joining one of Kathe Anderson's Adventure Birding trips with the usual limit of eight people, I enjoyed finding new ways to bird out at Aravaipa Canyon in Pinal County. 

PHAINOPEPLA (male) -- possibly molting...giving a different look than usual

GREAT BLUE HERON

PURPLE MARTINs  [above and below]

ZONE-TAILED HAWK

Back row L-R: Kathleen, Linda Peck, Sue, Hinde, Kathe Anderson
Front row L-R: Faulene, Cathy, Maria

Linda Peck is currently living in the canyon and guided us to the various places where we saw many birds, some of which are photographed above. Then, she hosted us while her husband, Bill McGuire, talked to us about native bees, native seeds and pollination of native crops -- a very enlightening presentation. Bill also builds very unusual bee boxes that are made of very small tubes (reeds) held together that the native bees find and use. So, we got more than birds on this trip - which was wonderful!

Without straying far from home, I was able to venture out to two birding spots in the company of some very enjoyable people.

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