Great Blue Heron Visited A Neighbor’s House — Image by kenne
Although one might not expect to see a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) in the Sonoran Desert, they have an extensive range and occur throughout much of North and Central America wherever there is water. If you happen to have a koi or goldfish pond in your backyard, you may be visited by a heron.
Sandhill Cranes Over Whitewater Draw — Image by kenne
After leaving at sunrise to feed in the nearby fields hundreds of cranes return at mid-day, squawking in a cacophony heard miles around.
It’s sunny with a few passing clouds drifting overhead in the distance mountains rise above the farm and ranch lands.
These big birds prefer the shallow waters of the draw where they stand protected from predators who prefer to stay out of the water.
Geese, ducks and other waterfowl can be found wintering here in southeast Arizona attracting birders with scopes and cameras.
I don’t see myself as a birder, birders are strange counting and taking notes to be placed on eBird, me, I just take photos.
Occasionally we make small talk going through our social necessities thinking about it or not thinking about it walking freely on by not holding to the moment so as not to remember.
American White Pelicans White Over in East Texas — Photo Gallery by kenne
Lakes, marshes, salt bays. In breeding season mostly inland, nesting on isolated islands in lakes and feeding on shallow lakes, rivers, marshes. Feeding areas may be miles from nesting sites. Also breeds locally on coastal islands. Flocks in migration stop on lakes, rivers. Winters mainly along coast, on shallow, protected bays and estuaries, also on large lakes in warm climates. Source: audubon.org
This morning on the Plant and Bird Walk, we could see a small flock of Eastern Bluebirds, none close enough to get any good photos, but more will be coming to Sabino Canyon because of all the desert mistletoe berries in the canyon. Till then, the berries are attracting plenty of Phainopeplas. — kenne
Brushy desert valleys, mesquites. Most common in the Sonoran desert and mesquite woods at lower elevations. Also lives in other kinds of low open brush, including desert stands of acacia and paloverde. Tiny but tough, Verdins are adaptable little birds of hot desert regions. They are usually seen singly or in pairs, flitting about actively in the brush, sometimes giving sharp call notes. — Source: Audubon.org
Becoming is Superior to Being 