Lizard Dog

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Richard

Connie, our fine vet, has a unique to deal with a high-strung Viszla when she needs to give Penny a shot or draw blood. She places one of her office cats in a glass-walled room adjacent to the exam room. Penny goes into a point, just fixates onthe cat, and doesn’t even flinch when the needle goes in. The cat is safe, and knows it, and seems to enjoy the routine. It’s an amazing thing to see.

Here at Patagonia Lake, Penny has discovered a new thing to fixate on: Arizona Tree Lizards. The small guys are everywhere and some, like this one, blend into the background, until they move.

Others, like this darker one, are easy to spot.

Penny discovered these critters a couple of days ago and can spend hours staring at them. Folks passing by are amazed at the total concentration as she stares and points – she doesn’t know they are there. Welcome to my world, folks!

Periodically, she rushes the tree but the lizards are too quick for her.

These lizards have been such good dog sitters that I’d like to catch a couple and bring them with us – to keep Penny occupied at future campgrounds. Perhaps I’ll Google "Rent-A-Lizard."

Posted in Arizona Birding, Penny, Southwest trip 4, Vizsla | Comments Off on Lizard Dog

Some Arizona Hummers

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Richard

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 the dude – but he moves fast and is pretty spookish. What a treat it is to sit outside the Airstream in lawn chairs and wait for him to annouce his presence with some "chek" noises. Here are a couple of shots I took yesterday:

Earlier in the day we went back to Paton’s yard to watch birds. We had several Anna’s Hummingbirds there – there were a couple of females and some males. Like all hummers, the way light catches their plumage affects the color: it can look black one moment and then a vibrant pink the next. Here is a young male:

Here is another guy:

In another month or so, the area will start getting hundreds of hummingbirds, including many who don’t winter here. It has to be a spectacular sight with all the territorial jousting. As we know from our Ruby-throated visitors in Vermont, these little balls of energy can be very feisty, and very beautiful. They’ll be starting north soon. Have hope.

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Visitors to Arizona Bird Feeders

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Richard

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 seen some feeder poachers who are just as tenacious, but also humorous.

The first was the Gila Woodpecker trying to deal with the sugar water feeder at the visitor center. Why beat your brains out for sap when someone has already drilled the holes. He sized it up and hanging on for dear life, went for it.

Mary and I visited a famous birding site here in Patagonia – the Paton’s homestead. (I likely write a post about it, its history, and its future) but suffice it to say that birders from around the world have been coming here for decades. The Paton’s are deceased but their backyard is a treasure-trove of birds.

We were sitting there, admiring Gambell’s Quail and some Anna’s hummingbirds when this pale-colored little buck showed up, jumped the fence, and approached the feeder. (It wasn’t his first trip to this rodeo!)

He is Arizona’s other deer, the Coues, is a subspecies of the white-tailed deer. Coues deer are most common in Arizona’s southeastern mountains, but range up on to the Mogollon Rim and into the White Mountains. They are most abundant in areas of predictable summer precipitation. They prefer woodlands of chaparral, oak, and pine with interspersed clearings.

The host shooed him off and he just calmly jumped the side fence, and then showed up again about five minutes later, repeating the whole performance. After about the third time, he just barely made it over the fence – we joked about him too full of corn and seeds. He wandered off but I think he’s got a good gig going.

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

I’m an Old Cowhand

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Richard

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 herder – or at least I thought so.

Birding at Patagonia Lake State Park has made me remember those days of moving heifers down from pastures: there are cows grazing all over the places we bird. First time I’ve seen that in a state park but in true Western fashion, the grazing rights are leased. So Penny and I deal with curious calves and nosy mothers but just shoo them away. Penny is curious but does pretty well. So we see neat birds and a bunch of free-ranging stock.

Today, driving the back roads, we came across many cattle guards in the road – those series of pipes that often are used on ranch access roads. Cattle can’t get over them so it eliminates the need for a gate. I kept thinking, "Why do they need them every half mile in the road?"

I came around a corner and got my answer:

This good old boy (or gal – I was focused on the horns) was just plodding down the side of the road, heading to town. I rolled down the window and to this shot of Mary and her new friend:

I must say, seeing the feedlots in Las Cruces, New Mexico, early this week made me wonder about the lean hamburger we bought the next day at a supermarket. However, these cattle, grazing on whatever stubble they can find but roaming rather free, make me think of the good beef Mary’s family farm is now producing and selling in Vermont. Check them out at Robb Family Farm.

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Trogons – Aren’t They Elegant?

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Richard

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 all from Mexico. The view from our park site makes up for a lot – this is the hill we see each morning.

Two weeks ago, in an email exchange with the assistant park manager, I learned that she had seen an Elegant Trogan – a spectacular bird that is a target for most birders. I’ve been out with Penny and picked up three or four new life birds: western birds that are often pretty common here – but I’ve not been this far west birding. I’ve added Gray Phoebe, Bridled Titmouse, White-throated Swift, Hammond’s Flycatcher, and Gila Woodpecker in two days.

Last night, we met with neighbors to discuss options for our future stops and the first thing that Donna, our new friend, did was to pick up her camera and said "Let me show you a picture." My response was, "I don’t know that I want to se it." Sure enough, she and her husband had seen and photographed a beautiful male trogon yesterday afternoon, I was truly happy for them but motivated.

This morning, a bird walk was scheduled for nine AM and Mary was planning to go (we take turns dog-sitting.). I decided to go out early for an hour or so before the thundering herd took to the paths.

I took the tags off Penny to quiet her and we walked the half-mile or so, seeing some nice morning activity. The lake was active with Northern Shovelers, grebes, Cinnamon Teal, and Ruddy Ducks while dozens of Ruby-crowned Kinglets worked the trees. I saw eight Western Bluebirds and many woodpeckers as we worked our way toward the creek where thr trogon had been spotted the day before.

I was just about ready to head back, knowing the group was getting ready, when a flash of color popped on to a low bush ahead. A male Elegant Trogon was looking at us, as Penny strained at the leash. I watched, tried a few photos, and handled the dog as the bird hopped to the ground, flew up to another tree, and challenged my camera/dog balancing abilities. The autofocus was going crazy with the brush and I didn’t want to spook the bird, which was rather calm.

I quit without a "great" shot and quietly retreated, happy to have seen this great lifer. As things happen, Mary’s large bird group did not see this guy but found the juvenile/female companion so they too all got their trogon.

So we have to drive four miles to check email – birds like this are why folks love southern Arizona.

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

Some Texas Birds

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Richard

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 the iPad, sitting in a grocery store parking lot.

Here are a few bird photos that I’ve taken recently. The first is the Greater Roadrunner – a bird that drives Penny nuts.

The Western Scrub-jay is a lot like our Blue Jay – smart, noisy, pretty.

Another noisy but colorful bird here is the Acorn Woodpecker. They are a delight to watch.

When you hear a "chip" down here, it may be a Northern Cardinal, but more often , a Pyrrhuloxia. Here’s a female.

We leave Saturday for Hueco Tanks State Park, just outside El Paso. Then to Arizona on Monday.

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The Orioles of Salenino

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Richard

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 church, mangy dogs that never heard of rabies shots, and some of the best birding in the Southwest.

You drive down this rutty clay road, hoping not to meet another vehicle, and there’s a small parking lot and then, the Rio Grande, and Mexico. Here is a two acre parcel where volunteers have been feeding birds since 2008 or so, supported by the hundreds of birders who visit each winter from across North America.

While there are many unique birds seen at Salenino each season, the three orioles are the daily stars. The big Altimira Oriole is seen in other parts of the Valley but this is the reliable place for Audubon’s and Hooded. Mary and I saw all three the other day, aswesatwith others inawn chairs watching the avian show before us. We have been there mant times before but it never disappoint. Hey, if the orioles are elswhere what’s not to like about dozens of Green Jays annd Great Kiskadees.

Here’s a big Altimira that we saw:

An Audubon’s Oriole came in for its peanut butter fix:

The Hooded Oriole is smaller and noted by its hood but this is a juvenile

This will be our last visit to Salenino this trip – and it is the last year for one of the long-time volunteers, Cheryl Longton. She’s pointed out the orioles, Brown Jays, Red-billed Pigons, Gray Hawks, Zone-tailed Hawks, and other special birds to hundreds of visitors. Great job, Cheryl. Good birding.

Posted in Southwest trip 4, Texas birding, Texas birds | 1 Comment

Homeland Security

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Richard

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 us a bit to wonder about all the dirt roads along fence lines, until we saw tires being dragged (like in this shot by CBP Photography) to freshen up the dirt to show any fresh tracks later on. [As a taxpayer, I do wonder how many Federal employees across the country are being paid to drag tires mile after mile every day.]

The other item that spooked us when we first saw them a few years back are the tethered balloons that just hang there, like big brother watching, likely filled with infra-red and other camera gear. It’s just a constant, sort of creepy reminder, that we are close to the border. Here’s one we saw just west of Mission.

The state park where we are staying, Falcon Lake, has a reputation for being a trouble spot. A guy was shot on the lake by Mexican drug guys a few years ago and even two nights ago, there was gunfire, including automatic weapons, on the Mexican side. We never heard it but I think Penny did. The border runs right down the center of the lake and this side is fine. No one in their right mind drives into Mexico these days. Here are a couple of warning signs here in the park.

Seeing the list of agencies on this second sign reminded me of an incident the last time we were here. I was hooking up the Airstream when a Fish & Game truck pulled up and this young lithe guy with wrap-around sunglasses asked whether we were heading back to Vermont. I learned that he had attended and taught at Norwich University and we talked hockey and Vermont and then I noticed the assault rifle in his truck.

When I remarked about his firepower (he had a Klock pistol on the hip) he opened his truck doors to show me dozens of clips of ammo and all sorts of armor and weaponry. I said, "You aren’t after guys with short trout, are you?" He told me that all his work is drug stuff – that they worked with Texas Rangers, DEA, Border Patrol etc and that they had the fastest boats on the lake. His background was 20 years in Special Forces. Nice guy – glad he’s on our side.

Last week, we were quietly birding in the county park when a flotilla of ATV’s showed up – they were Border Patrol guys either training or just cruising. I deciding pointing a camera at them was not smart so I grabbed this shot from CBP Photography

Later, I did (standing behind a tree) shoot this photo of Border Patrol guys cruising up the river. There were three and they didn’t help the birding.

Border security is a complex subject and an extremely costly proposal. So many Winter Texans remember the days, not long ago, when you could just cross into Mexico for a little dinner or shopping.
But we get constant reminders, from the Green & White patrols to the reports of gunfire five miles away, that our country’s insatiable demand for drugs makes those days a distant memory. Fortunately, the birds still cross back and forth with impunity. Gracias!

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Some Rio Grande Valley Critters

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Richard

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 got that warbler in your binoculars.

In the lower Valley, the main tormenters were squirrels – big imported Fox squirrels like this one who was too lazy to even bother her.

Here further west, we hear coyotes at night and see them on early morning morning walks. Their scat is all over the trails – a continual delight for the dog.

Another potential prey is the Cottontail rabbit. They dart across the road and at night, can make a walk rather interesting. It gets dark here – very little ambient light – and the dog sees or senses them first and the lunges on the leash while all I see is a bobbing piece of white cotton up ahead. Here’s one we saw yesterday.

Here at Falcon Lake State Park, there are deer, most of them pretty small. We saw this bigger guy yesterday crossing the parking lot. You can see that he’s shed one of his antlers. It’s about that time of year here.

The one critter I worry about here is the Collared Peccary more commonly known as the javelina. They are everywhere and while a little shy, they certainly could give Penny a rough time if provoked. Even though they are not pigs, they pig out on Mexican Olives dropped from trees throughout the park as well as bird seed on the ground. Here are three that visited us yesterday – you can see the rear of the Airstream in the photo.

And here’s a face only a peccary could love.

Posted in Birding With Penny, Southwest trip 4, Wildlife Watching | Comments Off on Some Rio Grande Valley Critters

Life Birds #368 & #369

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Richard

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 kept missing. The other day, several birders gave me the old "We got some good looks at them a few minutes ago" spiel, which while true, didn’t make my day.

Saturday, I returned with the dog to Anzalduas County Park to try once more. It was quiet (there is a fee for weekends) but when I saw and heard a singing Loggerhead Shrike on the way in, and then spotted an Eastern Bluebird as I parked the truck, I was expecting a good morning. And it was.

Going into the grove of trees we visited the other day, I saw all sorts of activity up ahead. Dozens of Blue-grey Gnatcatchers and Orange-crowned warbers worked through the foliage, with many American Goldfinches feeding as well. Then I spotted something different – smaller, black and white – and a Black-throated Gray Warbler, life bird #368, popped out in the open. I studied it as it moved back into the branches, and grabbed for the camera. It was moving away, little by little.

As things happen, I then saw some yellow and in seconds, was looking at my first Yellow-throated Warbler. This time I was ready with the camera and grabbed this shot.

Then, as is often the case with warblers, it was over. They had moved on and I was left with this "wow, that was something else" feeling of being at the right place at the right time. Good Birding.

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