Invisible Woman

Daily Bird & Bonus: May 28

    Male Costa's Hummingbird in the backyard, 5/28/12.

This brilliant little guy has been ruling the backyard recently, though not without frequent challenges from several other hummingbirds. He kept us company today and was content to share the patio with us for awhile.

And my bonus sighting this afternoon was a 4-legged fellow often heard but rarely seen from our backyard...

A  healthy-looking coyote, who wandered up out of the wash behind our property and out into the desert preserve. As soon as he noticed me watching him, he took off.

 

Daily Bird: May 26

Male Costa's Hummingbird in the front entryway, 5/26/12.

This is the little guy that's been guarding the front nectar feeder for the past few weeks. He's been molting and still has new feathers coming in -- you can see their little pointy tips, around his eyes especially. I had to open the front door just a crack and ever so quietly to sneakily catch this shot before he flew away.

 

Daily Birds: May 21

Okay, so I may have to revise my blog plan to be the Almost-daily Bird... once again, life (this time in the form of travel) did not provide daily opportunities. Ah, well -- I'll continue to try my best.

Today's best came as a huge surprise. After failing to get any clear images of a hummingbird perched in the shade just outside the dirty front window, I went to see what was out back. And to my delight, I spotted a bird I've never before seen in our neighborhood, much less overlooking my backyard...

Through the window, a beautiful male American Kestrel, perched high in our neighbor's palm. See how his wings are not tucked in tight -- this seems to be what raptors do to help cool themselves. Today we were supposed to reach 109 toasty Phoenix degrees! Which explains why there's less bird activity and more shady perching going on at the moment.

Later, the light improved and I was also able to get a moody shot of the little male Costa's Hummingbird who's been spending most of his day on perched on the aloe outside the front window by my desk.

He looks a bit raggedy, but who wouldn't, in this heat?

 

Daily Bird: May 12

    Male Costa's Hummingbird at the backyard nectar feeder, 5/12/12.

Another day of household chores -- so I counted on the locals to show up for some late afternoon photo ops. This handsome fellow didn't disappoint!

 

Finally!

 

Long-overdue updates and links to my Flickr slideshows have been posted in the right sidebar. Newest photos are always added at the beginning of each slideshow, so you don't have to watch reruns! Hope you enjoy.

Daily Bird: April 26

    Female Hummingbird -- Anna's? -- at the feeder outside the kitchen window, 4/26/12.

 

Daily Bird: April 18

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

 

Daily Bird: March 18

    Hummingbird at the back nectar feeder, between rainstorms, 3/18/12.

Our weather was not cooperative for backyard bird photography today -- we had a series of downpours. We welcomed the extra moisture, but the birds spent much of the day in hiding.

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And a doves' nest update...

 
    Earlier today, the roosting dove was frightened off the nest, and I was able to confirm that we now have two eggs!

But for most of the day, despite the repeated downpours, the eggs were safely tucked beneath a warm (if easily startled) parent.

We are making a concerted effort to seem non-threatening if we have to use the front entry, until the doves get used to our comings and goings, as they eventually do.

 

Spring is springing forth at DBG!

    This morning I went to the Desert Botanical Garden to search for signs of spring, and I was not disappointed, though the season is young.

First off, along the Wildflower Trail, I found this mystery hummingbird above. It looks like an Anna's female, except that its lower throat feathers seem to be a golden green. So perhaps a hybrid -- but which mixed?

 

This Abert's Towhee was playing at the water feature under the huge old mesquite that provides peaceful shade and shelter for people and critters alike.

 

Another hummingbird, this a Costa's female, at the raised entry garden where there are lots of blooming aloes.

 

A Northern Mockingbird sang to the waning moon from atop a boojum tree.

 

More blooming aloes in the succulent garden. I always love them against this vibrant background that hides some ugly utility equipment.

 

A Curve-billed Thrasher was working on its nest set in the middle of a small cactus along the butte loop trail.

 

Even though I see plenty of Mourning Doves at home, this one looked especially pretty sitting on the pebbled handrail.

 

More aloes -- I love these golden spikes.

 

Finally -- ta da! -- a lovely prickly pear cactus in bloom.

And spring at the DBG is just beginning...

 

Daily Bird: March 14

    Anna's Hummingbird female in an ironwood tree, Desert Botanical Garden, 3/14/12.

After weeks of relative quiet, the DBG was buzzing with hummers this morning!