Fox Tales (flashback)

Some twenty years ago Rodney was my first mentor regarding birding and the appreciation of nature.  He had a way of finding incredible birds while having fun, even goofing off.   He was known to burn the candle at both ends during migration, helping with owl banding at night, and with hawks during the day.   Although I'm more in favor of passive research now, at that time it was a true thrill helping him on rare occasions with his hawk banding research, braving the cold Vermont winter.    

We had great success this one particular weekend, banding a few Rough-legged hawks escaping the Arctic winter for less frigid weather in rural Vermont.   On the second day we were conversing about the use of mouse squeaks to draw in owls.   Rodney had tried it in a field one night and told how he was almost ready to give up when he glanced up to see a Great Horned Owl hovering over him.   We decided to try our luck in a nearby field just before dusk to draw in an owl, or even possibly a hawk.  

We sat against a tree trunk so each would have a different, partially overlapping view of the landscape.  First Rodney tried some mouse squeaks, then I held my hand to my mouth and chimed in.  We alternated, each concentrating on the quality of our calls while looking for any activity.   About fifteen minutes had passed in the dusky light when Rodney nudged me a signal with his elbow. 

Night Flights and Sparrow sights

Having a relaxing B'day hanging out with my bud.  He's laying against my legs as I sit on the floor.   He didn't make it to the pond tonight but we were able to walk to the mailbox and back.  When we got back Lilly and Daniel Boone were sitting at the door waiting with expectant looks to their big brother.   His big smile tonight shows his happy demeanor, always happy to be with his family.   Even this morning he had a look of peaceful contentment as I stroked his head and neck and said good bye.
I woke at 3:30 AM this morning and almost went back to sleep, but for the curiosity as to whether Purple Martins would be in flight over the house at this early hour.   I stood on the porch

July 15th Raindance (Monday)

I met Mrs. S at Bookman's where I found a nice book on birds of Alaska.   That would be a nice trip indeed if I ever make it there.   Mrs. S found a rain stick made of cholla, which apparently works.  She shook it in the store and when she brought it to the register it was pouring outside.   The rain didn't make it to our eastern neighborhood, though threatened throughout our late afternoon walk as it attempted to pull it's dark gray shade over the afternoon sun. 

Our excursion was rewarding, though, and Kino did some nice "laps," in the grassy area.  As I watched the Purple Martins over the pond

Sunday Sightings 7-14-13

The Brown-crested Flycatcher was calling again this morning from outside our bedroom window.   Another early bird at our feeders was an adult male Pyrrhuloxia, the bright yellow bill and accented with deep reds and grays making for quite a picture... except for the factor of the  window's glare from the early morning sun.     Scout had made a discovery of his own in the kitchen, batting the shades in a futile attempt to scare a spiny lizard on the ledge.  I believe it may be
the Twin-Spotted variety due to the wedge-shaped collar but I'm still a novice could be misnaming a Desert Spiny variety. 




Kino was really excited about his morning walk so we went for a quick one since it was already mid morning.   A sharp "pic!" from our neighbor's mesquite as I strained to see the infrequent Ladder-backed Woodpecker which had paid a visit to our cul de sac.    A Turkey Vulture was already enjoying the thermals in our neighborhood, cruising for unlucky victims of the heat.   It is almost time for post nesting dispersion of Zone-tailed Hawks, which look very similar in wing pattern, but have striped tails. 



Later that afternoon I was able to capture a probable Twin-spotted Lizard coming out from the crevices in our stone wall.   The stone walls in our back yard  really provide nice homes for our lizards and other animals, and has attracted Rock and House wrens in winter, searching for bugs in the crevices.   It also functions as a water harvesting technique, preventing precious water from running off the property, so it can sink down and saturate our soil for our desert plants. 

Kino and I finished the evening by walking a few laps on the lawn by the pond as we listened to the "oinking," of

Another Summer Day in the Desert

I woke this morning before light and went on our porch to listen to the Purple Martins.   I had noticed Thursday morning that they have started their mornings before light, as in other monsoon seasons.   I wonder if it is the humidity which sends them on such high flights hours before dawn each summer.  It was pleasant to hear their chirps high above as daylight approached.

Scout and Daniel Boon (Deebs)

After my shower Scout wanted some special attention so I lay in bed giving him belly rubs.  He's the only cat I know who rolls over to get his belly scratched.  As I lay a Brown-crested Flycatcher called from just outside the window, where we have myiarchus flycatcher nest box erected (built for Ash Throated or Brown-Crested species).   This is the second morning in a row he has been there.   I hoped this would be the year

A Friend for Life

He's leaving us...      

     I could tell as I watched him today in the deepest sleep, his legs moving about as he dreamed of his past...or future life.  I stroked him gently and called his name but he wouldn't wake.  It was like he's already entering into his new life, splitting time between both worlds.  These deep sleep sessions with vivid dreams are becoming more frequent each day.  He's already prepared for what's coming next, and just needs a signal to move on.  

I know what's keeping him here.  It's me.  He knows I'm not prepared to lose him yet, that the thought of life without my best friend

Summer surprise 7-9-13

I was exhausted from biking upwind for thirteen miles on the way home that day, so I rewarded myself with a short rest by the lake.  Although the temperature only reached 96 it seemed higher with the humidity, and the birds seemed to be waiting for the evening hours to be active.   I wasn't expecting much activity, so decided to appreciate the few birds presently about. 

Two Red-tailed Hawks casually coasted on the breeze which had been my enemy that day, mastering it, or perhaps becoming part of it.   They seemed so nonchalant as they lazily rode the wind currents as if they were floating on an invisible ocean, dipping as if in a trough then rising up to the crest, again and again, yet always moving forward.   This buteo has mastered flight, and can even "kite," on an updraft, a feat unique among North American raptors. 

Although there wasn't much activity on the lake save for a Purple Martin or two, I scanned the shoreline with my bins just in case for herons or migrating sandpipers.  I was almost ready to turn for home when it first appeared, flying toward my position from the far side of the lake.   It was reminiscent of a vision entering into the subconscious mind of a quester, unclear at first, then becoming sharper

Counting on birds and having a garden party

Friday night I forgot to take out money for bus fare home on Friday, so I was forced to ride the bike.  Naturally it rained that afternoon, but luckily I missed the heavier dousing.   Sometimes after the first heavy rain of the monsoon the wildlife seems to come alive in celebration, and you can feel the excitement in the air while walking the trails.  Birds are singing, raptors are hunting, mammals are cruising about in the open, and reptiles are foraging.

Even though this rain wasn't enough to wake the toads from their underground homes, it was the most significant rain so far.  I decided to head out for my quarterly bird survey of our neighborhood, which needs to be completed in the month of July.  I will sometimes wait for the end of the month when there is more migrants but hoped  this time to catch some late nesters instead.  Perhaps I would even run across the slightly out of season Blue-winged Teal seen Friday morning on the way to the bus stop. 

Bronzed Cowbird (4-17-11) 

As is usual I planned on getting out just before dawn, hopefully being able to include Lesser Nighthawks in my days tally.  Not unexpectedly I was not the early bird who gets the nightjar, just leaving the house after 5:30 AM.  The big pond was active, and I counted about 18 bird species in a five minute point count, which isn't shabby for a summer count.   Tropical Kingbirds trilled their metallic trill, and a Cassin's Kingbird chimed in as well, ordering me to "Come Here!"    Later I heard a drawn out squeak and spotted the puffed stance of a Bronzed Cowbird, its shape noticeable at quite a distance.   

Appreciating Lizard Neighbors

Last weekend and July 4th I took some time to appreciate our lizard neighbors which inhabit our back and front yards.   We help provide a great home for our lizards by creating cover with wood piles, sticks, and logs, and understory plants.  We provide food with our mulch piles and compost, and with leaf cover, which also keeps the ground cooler.   We remove threats 

A tale of three Kings (Sunday 6/30/13)

Bell's Vireo

My walk with Kino went well, but even starting at 7:30 was almost too late to be out, especially with his heavy coat.  In our 45 minute excursion we saw or heard a few good birds, including a Great Blue Heron, Vermilion Flycatcher, and Yellow Warbler.  When I got home I watered our backyard plants in preparation for the burning 113 degree temperatures predicted for later that day.   A drab bird came into our Arizona Ash, and I almost passed it off as a Verdin. 

  As it came within five feet I recognized it as