Arizona Photography

 First of all, thanks again to my great friends and neighbors, Mary Jane and her family, for the Christmas gift of a delightful hummingbird feeder.  The few birds that have regularly visited me no longer have to wait for spring flower blooms to gather nectar.  And, hopefully, many more will find the feeder as soon as they return from migration. Anna's Hummingbird (F) For a variety of reasons, including fewer bird species available, I've not been doing much birding of late.  I finally paid a visit to Ash Canyon and found all the usual birds, nothing new or exciting.  Nevertheless, I took photos and want to share them with you. Lesser Goldfinch (M) Lesser Goldfinch (M) Lesser Goldfinch (F) Lesser Goldfinch (F) House Finch (M) House Finch (M) House Finch (F) Orange-crowned Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Curve-billed Thrasher Mexican Jay Acorn Woodpecker Acorn Woodpecker Yellow-rumped Warbler Pyrrhuloxia (F) Pyrrhuloxia (M) Pyrrhuloxia (M) Anna's Hummingbird (M) Ann...

 My first birding trip of the new year was interesting from the start.  After parking, I walked toward the viewing area only to be asked by Tim to stop.  Montezuma Quail were there and would be frightened away by any movement in that area.  So, great news that the quail were present, but sad news that I wasn't able to see them.  I walked around other areas and spotted a Cooper's Hawk perched in a tree.  No matter where I stood, however, my view was obscured by branches.  Of course I took photos, just not good ones. Finches are so plentiful here, both Lesser Goldfinches and House Finches, that I usually don't take many photos of them.  Today was different because of some cute antics around the water feature. There were some nice poses by the House Finches, too. Most of my photos were the same birds we usually see here, except for the Arizona Woodpecker which comes around periodically, but isn't a regular. Pine Siskin Yellow-rumped Warbler Acorn Woo...

 The very small Inca Dove has quickly become a favorite.  While I normally find them on the ground, this one was perched on a branch over my car as I pulled in. It was a good day for socializing at the sanctuary, as we had visitors from Scottsdale, Indiana and Minnesota, another indication of how popular this area is for birders all over the country.  Not necessarily the best time for birding, but definitely a good time to escape the cold weather up north. House Finch (M) House Finch (F) Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Chipping Sparrow (J) Chipping Sparrow (J) Acorn Woodpecker Ladder-backed Woodpecker (M) Ladder-backed Woodpecker (M) Bewick's Wren Cactus Wren Cactus Wren Pyrrhuloxia (F) Bridled Titmouse Dark-eyed Junco (F) Dark-eyed Junco (F)