Arizona Photography

 I hope you had a joyful Christmas and are now ready for the New Year.  Mine was excellent, spent with good friends and good food, and a little football thrown in.  There was a nice variety of birds at Ash Canyon on November 15th, with the highlight of having the male Lawrence's Goldfinch return.  It was a "lifer" for several of the visitors there that day.   Coues Deer House Finch (F) House Finch (M) Lincoln's Sparrow Chipping Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Mexican Jay White-winged Dove Northern Cardinal (M) Spotted Towhee (M) Acorn Woodpecker (M) Ladder-backed Woodpecker (F) Lesser Goldfinch (M) Lesser Goldfinch (F) Lawrence's Goldfinch (M) Rock Squirrel Common Ground Dove Inca Dove   Yellow-rumped Warbler  

We had a few out of state visitors at the sanctuary today, one from Montana and a couple from Minnesota.  Both of those great states are good places to leave this time of year.  The weather here makes birding much more comfortable, even though we are still in the "bird doldrums". Anna's (M) Anna's (F) Yellow-rumped Warbler Gila Woodpecker (F) Acorn Woodpecker (F) White-breasted Nuthatch (M) House Finch (M) Javelina Youngster Lesser Goldfinch (M) Lesser Goldfinch (F) Lincoln's Sparrow Mexican Jay White-crowned Sparrow Lazuli Bunting (M)  

 Due to the relative scarcity of birds these days, I've combined photos from two different visits to Ash Canyon.  In addition to the regulars, the Lawrence's Goldfinch and the Common Ground Doves put in appearances occasionally. Coues Deer Rock Squirrel Acorn Woodpecker (F) House Finch (F) House Finch (M) Chipping Sparrow Lawrence's Goldfinch (M) Western Kingbird   Lesser Goldfinch (F) Lesser Goldfinch (M) Yellow-rumped Warbler Curve-billed Thrasher   White-winged Dove Common Ground Dove White-breasted Nuthatch Anna's (M) Anna's (F)