Author Archives: Richard

Some Arizona Hummers

We have been lugging two hummingbird feeders with us but kept forgetting to buy sugar until this week. I hung them out one evening and we had our first visitor the next day. He’s a male Wide-billed Hummingbird and quite … Continue reading

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Visitors to Arizona Bird Feeders

In Vermont, we have running skirmishes with red squirrels who are able to outwit about any "squirrel-proof" feeder. We also worry about Black Bears and in the summer, honey bees on the hummer feeders. The last two days, I have … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona Birding, Southwest trip 4, Wildlife Watching | 1 Comment

I’m an Old Cowhand

Having married a Vermont farmer’s daughter many decades ago, I am relatively comfortable with cows – although I must admit that Mary’s dad and brother kept this "townie" away from skill jobs like milking. But I was a pretty good … Continue reading

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Trogons – Aren’t They Elegant?

We are presently situated at Patagonia Lake State Park, which is beautiful in an Arizona high desert fashion and home to a nice variety of birds, but lacks wifi or cell coverage. There is no tv and FM radio is … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona Birding, Arizona Birds, life bird, Life list, Southwest trip 4 | 2 Comments

Some Texas Birds

We have been staying at Davis Mountains State Park which is a picturesque high desert location with pretty good birding. The ongoing Texas drought is apparent: fewer birds, dusty trails, and beautiful sunsets. Here’s a picture I just took with … Continue reading

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The Orioles of Salenino

One of the "must see" spots on any visit to the Upper Rio Grande Valley is the sleepy little community called Salenino. Just several miles from Highway 83, it’s a hispanic settlement with a garish cemetery, a big Roman Catholic … Continue reading

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Homeland Security

Traveling along the Rio Grande Valley, you soon get used to the ubiquitous Green & White Border Patrol vehicles – SUV’s galore, helicopters, boats, balloons, and probably drones and other less visible systems. The first time down here, it took … Continue reading

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Some Rio Grande Valley Critters

One of the unique aspects of birding with a dog is the extra-curricular activity brought on by critters – some domesticated but most wild. Without exception, they bring on a surge at the leash which doesn’t help when you just … Continue reading

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Life Birds #368 & #369

Warblers can be frustrating, flitting from branch to branch, often moving through and suddenly gone, and causing you neck pain as you try to watch them high in the trees. I’ve had several that were target birds but which I … Continue reading

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Wrapping up the Lower Valley birding

We had guys from a RV repair service out of Tennessee, who winter in the Valley, come by to size up the work on our sagging belly pan. I had devised a plan to fix it but it was a … Continue reading

Posted in repairs, rig maintenance, Southwest trip 4, Texas birding, Texas birds, Texas state parks | 1 Comment