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Ash Canyon - March 28, 2025

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 For the first time in nearly two weeks, I was able to get out for some bird photography.  It felt good to be out, although there was significant wind in the canyon.  Most of the regular species were there, but I was pleased to see both Bullock's and Scott's Orioles.  The Bullock's made a very brief appearance, giving me no time to get him in my sights.  The Scott's, both male and female, were a little more cooperative, but he hid behind branches and she stayed in the shadows.  Consequently, the photos aren't the best, but they will do for now, I'm happy to get them. Scott's Oriole (M)   Scott's Oriole (F) Gila Woodpecker (F) Acorn Woodpecker (M) Anna's (F) Curve-billed Thrasher Mexican Jay House Finch (F) House Finch (M) White-winged Dove Pine Siskin Yellow-rumped Warbler White-crowned Sparrow Lesser Goldfinch (F) Lesser Goldfinch (M) Among the plants at the sanctuary, this beautiful crimson Amaryllis has just recently burst into bloom.   A few b...
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Whitewater Draw - March 11, 2025

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 For a change of pace, and a chance to see some different birds, I went to Whitewater Draw recently.  If you don't remember, this is a state-managed wildlife area that attracts a variety of song birds and waterfowl, but is especially known for wintering Sandhill Cranes.  During the peak of winter, estimates are that some 20,000 to 30,000 plus cranes can be found here.  Most have already gone north, but several hundred are still around. Since I was too lazy to carry my longest lens, I missed getting photos of quite a few species that were just too far away for  the equipment I had with me.  However, I did get enough to share, so here goes. Two flocks of cranes, about 100 birds in each, flew right at me and then over my head.  I had no time for adjusting camera settings, so  I just fired away with what I had.  The result was mixed, with nothing outstanding but some decent photos.  I hope you can still enjoy them because the cranes truly ar...
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Ash Canyon - March9, 2025

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 After a couple days of cool, breezy conditions, it was calm this morning, so I headed out.  It felt good to be out after what seemed like a long period of inactivity.  Unfortunately, the birding situation had not changed much at all.  Still, I enjoyed seeing the same old birds. One interesting event concerned the Orange-crowned Warbler, which rarely displays the orange patch that earned its name.  For reasons not known to me, it decided to show its color today. Orange-crowned Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler White-winged Dove Anna's (F) House Finch (M) Acorn Woodpecker (M) Curve-billed Thrasher Pine Siskin Pyrrhuloxia     The Javelinas showed up today, the first time I have seen them in several weeks.  These were babies following their mother around just a few months ago.  Now, they are almost fully grown and capable of traveling around by themselves.    
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Ash Canyon & Hereford - February 28, 2025

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 There wasn't much action at Ash Canyon for some unknown reason, so I left early and drove by the spot in Hereford where Gambel's Quail and Scaled Quail can sometimes be seen.  Fortunately, there were a few of both species present today.  However, the Scaled Quail were on the wrong side of my road, resulting in severe backlighting and fewer keepers than I would have hoped. Anna's (F) Anna's (M) Broad-tailed (F) Pine Siskin Lesser Goldfinch (F) Lesser Goldfinch (M) White-crowned Sparrow (J)   Scaled Quail Scaled Quail Gambel's Quail (F) Gambel's Quail (M) Mexican Jay Bush Tit Western Bluebird (M) House Finch (M) White-winged Dove
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