Invisible Woman

Daily Bird: April 20

    Curve-billed Thrasher on our back fence this evening, 4/20/12.

This one seems to consider our backyard its territory, and comes to scare off any unsuspecting curve-billed intruders.

 

Daily Bird: April 19

    Bewick's Wren along the Salt River at Coon Bluff, 4/19/12.

 

Daily Bird: April 18

    Male Anna's Hummingbird at penstemon, Desert Botanical Garden, 4/18/12.

 

Daily Bird: April 17

    A Sharp-shinned Hawk on the back fence, 4/17/12.

Or... it could be a small Cooper's Hawk, which is similar but the larger species. Based on its size and behavior, for now I'm going with Sharpie.

It was out on the back fence and then hopping through the tree near the bird feeders when I went to take Maddie (our dog) out at 6:45 this morning. I saw it just before I opened the door, and dashed for my camera. The hawk was in the shade and I was shooting through the window, so not the best conditions for photography.

We haven't had hawks in the backyard for awhile -- usually we get Cooper's juveniles in fall or early winter, but this year I didn't see any. I'm hoping this one returns for another morning show, so maybe I can get a definitive ID.

 

Daily Birds: April 16

  A Canada Goose family at pond 2, Gilbert Water Ranch, 4/16/12.

This photo doesn't show it but rest assured, the Chinese Swan Goose nannies were close by, keeping an eye on the babies.

 

Daily Birds: April 15

    Bald Eagle parent and child near the Salt River, 4/15/12.

This morning John & I first spotted the adult Bald Eagle soaring high above its nest territory near the Salt River. Soon we saw another large bird overhead and guessed that it might be a recently fledged (perhaps 3 weeks ago?) juvenile eagle.

Both eagles enjoyed soaring for awhile until another large bird came into the area, and the adult eagle quickly chased it away. Then the adult gradually circled and descended into its nest tree, where it was joined shortly by the young eagle.

It was a thrill to see them perched together in their tree, beyond the nest phase now, but still bonded as they will remain for only a few more months.

 

Daily Bird: April 14

Mourning Dove on the new entryway nest, 4/14/12.

Yes, I just posted about this new duh-dove nest the other day.

But today our weather was freakishly windy, and birds were pretty scarce. So I finally went outside around 6 pm, desperate for a decent bird shot, and not having much luck.

But in reviewing the few photos I took, I realized that the head feathers on this bird definitely look different than the doves that nested with us last month.

So maybe if this is a different couple, they'll have better luck.

Fingers crossed.

 

Daily Bird: April 13

    My first sighting of a Wilson's Warbler this year, at Goldfield rec site near the Salt River, 4/13/12.

This bird was high in a cottonwood and the lighting was poor, but I was thrilled to see a Wilson's again. They are next to impossible to photograph, as they never stay still. But they are lovely and definitely carry a certain charm for me.

 

Daily Bird: April 12

    Mourning Dove on its nest in the front entryway, 4/12/12.

Today is the first day of incubation on this newly built clay pot nest.

I'm not sure if these are the same doves that had the prior nest across the entryway, which they faithfully incubated for three weeks last month to no avail -- the eggs were infertile, and they finally gave up.

But hope springs eternal, and we had great fun watching several broods of dove babies in this nest location two summers ago, so we'll keep our fingers crossed.

Good luck, Mr & Ms Dove -- may your efforts be fruitful.

Meanwhile, enjoy your clay pot with a view.

Daily Bird: April 11

    Curve-billed Thrasher on a blooming cactus in the entry courtyard at Desert Botanical Garden, 4/11/12.

Curve-billeds like the insects in the flowers now, and later on, they love the cactus fruits.

And they're not nearly as fierce as they look...

Whitty-whit. Whitty-whit.