Notes on Birding a few local sites located in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, AZ

1)  Wednesday, September 30, 2020

A quick stop to see just a few of the rarities visiting Gilbert Water Ranch, Jannie and I got great looks at the ROSEATE SPOONBILL that has been hanging out with a GREAT EGRET!  We had checked Pond 5 for it but as we turned to leave that spot, we  noticed a group of birders at the south open area to view Pond 7 (near the platform). While the Spoonbill was distant, it was still within reach and we both got some good pics.

ROSEATE SPOONBILL preening with its wide spatula-like bill  SW corner Pond 7

ROSEATE SPOONBILL letting its wide bill suck up food from the marsh

Both of us got quick but identifiable views of the rare BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (female) but neither of us came away with a good photo!  Migrating birds stop over at good habitat to fill up with food - feeding incessantly to fuel their continuing flight.

A WESTERN KINGBIRD (below) compensated for the fast-moving Blackburnian Warbler by perching up for us to take several photographs.

2) Friday, October 2, 2020

With Lois Lorenz, I birded for the first time the trail east of Granite Reef Recreation Area along the Lower Salt River where we parked in the wide dirt parking lot at the trailhead. The trail descended gradually to flat land that paralleled the Salt River. It is also fenced for keeping wild horses out.  

RED MOUNTAIN on native land, north side of Salt River

This area of the Lower Salt River caught fire two years ago. The burn is still very visible both in heavily charred mesquite and other trees. Ground growth, however, is significant and that is where we found many birds. But most of my photos were taken when we split off the trail to stand beside the river.

RED-SHAFTED FLICKER male (top);

with female below on same snag

Two of our best finds at the river were a WILSON'S SNIPE and WESTERN MEADOWLARIK:

WILSON'S SNIPE

Western Meadowlark behind Killdeer on an island in the Salt River

3) Thursday, October 8, 2020

Before coming to Arizona in 1993, I lived in Virginia where our state bird was the NORTHERN CARDINAL; they were plentiful there.  Not as frequently seen here in Arizona, I'm a bit loathe to spend much time photographing them unless I have failed in my other bird photos at that spot. That was the case today, when cardinals were plentiful and tended to perch or stay still long enough for a decent pic.

In addition to birds, however, I managed a number of photos in the recently-opened Wallace Garden addition to Boyce Thompson Arboretum.  

Morocco Mound

Crested Bunny Ear

Sculpture in the Grotto area of Wallace Garden

Until, next time . . .

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