Arizona Photography

 Big excitement today with the appearance of a Steller's Jay, a beautiful bird not usually seen this far south, as it prefers the pine forests found farther north.  This bird was named for Georg Steller, a German physician turned naturalist who accompanied Vitus Bering during his exploration of the Northern Pacific.  Steller discovered and documented six "new" species, including this jay, all of which were named for him.  Two of these species are now extinct, while others are in various stages of "endangered".  The Steller's Jay is the only one of the six that is non-endangered to some degree.  Otherwise, we enjoyed the usual assortment.  One oddity of note is the elongated bill of the Curve-billed Thrasher.  This condition is called Avian Keratin Disorder, but its causes are not known for certain.  Researchers think a virus is the most likely culprit.  The condition can lead to death of the bird due to difficulty eating.  The birds...

 On the way to the canyon, I noticed some low clouds surrounding the Huachuca Mountains.  I had only my telephoto lens and my cell phone, but had to take some photos of these unusual scenes.     Thankfully, Ash Canyon wasn't socked in, but there didn't seem to be the normal number or variety of birds.  I only stayed about an hour. Mourning Dove House Finch (F) Acorn Woodpecker (F) House Finch (M) White-winged Dove Anna's (M) Anna's (F) Broad-billed (M) Black-chinned (M) Black-chinned (F) Broad-tailed (F)

 This was a more typical day in Ash Canyon, no rare birds and no excitement.  Still, it's always a pleasant place to hang out and look for new birds and enjoy the old standbys, as long as the weather cooperates. Acorn Woodpecker (F) Broad-tailed (F) White-winged Dove Anna's (M) Broad-billed (M) Rivoli's (M) Mexican Jay Lesser Goldfinch (M) Lesser Goldfinch (M & F) Lesser Goldfinch (F) House Finch (F) House Finch (M) Curve-billed Thrasher White-breasted Nuthatch (M) Gulf Fritillary Black-headed Grosbeak (F) Pipevine Swallowtail Black-throated Gray Warbler (M)