We escaped from frigid Vermont this weekend and after a long travel day, rolled into Patagonia to a funky AirBnb rental and this morning, walked the quarter-mile down the the Paton Center for Hummingbirds Center. Here are a few of the birds we saw:
AZ Birds1
Posted in Arizona Birding, Arizona Birds
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A Change In Plans
After a series of annoying problems with the Sprinter van, we decided that we would return home and rethink our travel options. So, after a leisurely trip northward with good weather all the way, we are back dealing with icy driveways and planning our next venture.
Just before we left Paynes Prairie State Park, I took a walk with just my iPhone.
Hearing a rustle in the leaves, I saw this cute armadillo who scurried off — sort of my last impression of Florida — a good one.
Posted in 2019 SE Trip, iPhone photography
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Some Morning Birds
Yesterday morning, it was cold (40) here at Paynes Prairie Preserve when I went out for a walk. I was bundled up and the birds were puffed up. A Red-Shoulder hawk eyed me as I headed out.
Weather is finally turning away from parkas toward shorts weather and we, and the mosquitos, can’t wait.
Posted in 2019 SE Trip, Florida, Florida_Birds
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Birding in the City of New Orleans
I’ve had Arlo Guthrie’s song in my head for the last day because yesterday, after a nice trip into the city to visit the Museum of Art, we birded part of City Park (Coutuerie Forest) where we saw some nice birds.
City Park is as magical and unique as the city of New Orleans – and the birds like it too.
Posted in 2019 SE Trip, LA birds, Urban birding
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Some Afternoon Birds
After a weather front passage, the temperatures dropped to near-freezing and the wind picked up but we got a little blue sky and sun. Here are a few shots I got this afternoon while out enjoying the crisp conditions.
Returning to the campsite, four neighbors looked me over.
Posted in 2019 SE Trip, LA birds
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Red-Headed Woodpeckers
There are dozens of Red-Headed Woodpeckers here at Fontainebleau State Park but most of them seem to be high in the trees resulting in photos like these.
Yesterday, we saw several down lower and this one feeding on the ground – quite far off.
He was joined by a Blue Jay and was not very happy about having company.
After a bit of trash talking, the Blue Jay departed and we left the woodpecker to finish up his meal.
Posted in 2019 SE Trip, LA birds
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Poor light, Good Birds
After 1600 miles of travel, we are settled into one our favorite state parks — Fontaiinebleu State Park, and enjoying grey skies but warmer weather. Here are some birds we’ve seen enroute and here at the park.
As I was scanning the lake shoreline yesterday, I spotted this guy out in the water and others in costumes with drums going and people on the beach watching the going’s on. A Creole ceremony, a mid-week wedding? I moseyed over that way, met a guy who was watching the equipment tent, and learned that it was a Canadian outfit shooting a music video. The performers and director was from Canada, having flown in that morning, and a local crew was shooting.
Posted in 2019 SE Trip, Louisiana State Parks
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Flocks
In the past week I have seen large flocks of American Crows, Dark-eyed Juncos, European Starlings, and Snow Buntings. In the last post I showed some photos of a 25-bird Pine Grosbeak flock. Yesterday, while looking in vain for a Golden Eagle, we came upon a 44-bird group of Bohemian Waxwings in a line of maple trees.
Shortly later, we came upon a flock of 59 Wild Turkeys foraging in a cornfield. Finding flocks is often just getting out there – and being at the right place at the right time.
Posted in Local Birding, Vermont Birding
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Berries for Breakfast
While heading to the gym yesterday morning, we came across this flock of Pine Grosbeaks feasting on berries.
Posted in Vermont Birding, Winter Birds
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A Snowy Christmas
About a week ago, a Snowy Owl was reported at the local airport — and then was unreported for several days in spite of many people looking. Then, Christmas Eve morning, as I was readying for a family visit, I heard that friends had seen it the previous day.The airport was on my route so I stopped, looked without success, and then, with the help of my friend John, who is the facility manager, I found the white adult owl perched on a snowbank in the middle of the field.
I returned from my trip today and my spouse and I went up and found the bird again, a little further away, but still a wonderful treat. It has been a great holiday present for dozens of Central Vermont birders.
Posted in Vermont Birding
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