Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Shower....

What!  You weren't using it!

Saturday (1/25) I had tentative plans to head out on a bird survey of our area as part of the Tucson Bird Count.  This count period runs from January 15th to February 15th.   I woke up a little late, just after daybreak.  As I was ready to hop in the shower I heard Kino whimpering, and carried him out to the back yard.  While out there I contemplated the day's schedule.   Mrs. S was in bed with a bad case of the flu so I would be on double duty.   Kino's special needs would take a couple hours, five if we went up the mountain.  The survey would just have to wait.  So would the shower.   

There was the dishes, feeding our companions, scooping cat boxes, washing clothes, washing sheets, cleaning bathroom, washing sheets again (after Sassy had a barf fest), feeding birds, watering plants, and the many rushed outings with Kino.  There were benefits as well, like the two male Cardinals who visited our ocotillo, the pointed crest looking quite majestic.  

Two male Phainopepla's joined them, their rich ruby eyes and silky black coat making for a unique combination.  Their crest earns them the nickname of Black Cardinal in some circles, and they can always be found around mistletoe berries.  Although not a "feeder," bird, the Phainopepla will come to your water feature or bath.







As I watered the plants in the back House Sparrows chased each other,  Lesser Goldfinches gave soft whistled tutes, and a Common Ravens served as flying escorts to the Harris's Hawks invading their territory.  Mourning Doves were giving stiff-winged flights in preparation for nesting season.   The warmth in the air was two month's ahead of schedule, but I didn't mind.  At 12:30 I finally did make it to the shower, four hours after my initial intent. 

The afternoon had a few errands as well, but I took some time to visit the Tucson Audubon store where I purchased the book on the life of Gale Monson. Although I never met Gale during his life my mentor Bob Bates would tell me how Gale started the Santa Catalina Christmas Bird Count circle, then talked him into taking it over.  I also love the book, "The Birds of Arizona," for which Gale is one of three authors.  This book gives me a glimpse of the rich history of birds and birding in Arizona.  

My next stop was Desert Survivor's Nursery.  If you want to delve into planting native and/or planting for wildlife, this is the place to explore.  Even their website is a wealth of information, and their plant list includes all the information you need to create wildlife habitat, including notes on bird and butterfly friendly plant varieties.  I also used their list to create my plant list for our yard!  Desert Survivor's Plant List
  

Broad-billed Hummingbird feeding on globe mallow

I was talking with Jim Verrier, the director of Desert Survivor's, and absolute expert on every native plant in the region.  We both hoped for rain and pondered how a sudden cold snap would affect plants, some of which are already blooming.  It was hard to imagine a deep freeze on such a mild day, but he explained how the cold and rain go hand in hand.   We talked about exploring some trails, which would be an outstanding learning opportunity for me.  I would love to be knowledgeable in the plant world, and truly see their relationships with birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.   In fact, just in our conversation I became privy to knowledge on a particular tree that bears like to scratch to reach the sweet resin.   

I left with a couple Apache Plume plants which could help provide sparrow cover/habitat one they spread out.  A Palmer's Globe Mallow will attract hummingbirds to our yard habitat.  I managed to catch a Broad-billed Hummingbird doing today on another variety of this desert plant (perhaps Indian Globe Mallow).  I couldn't resist picking up a couple Mexican poppies on the way out, as accent plants in our front yard.   Here is my yard list for this seemingly first day of spring 

2 Northern Cardinal
2 Phainopepla
1 Verdin
3 Harris's Hawks
2 Common Raven
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
4 Lesser Goldfinch
5 House Finch
2 White-crowned Sparrow
2 Abert's Towhees
3 Broad-billed Hummingbird
2 Anna's Hummingbirds
15 House Sparrows
1 Gila Woodpecker
1 Rock Pigeon

Thank you for appreciating your neighborhood wildlife.  And if you appreciate them more than a good shower, more power to you.