Birding

Moving to the other side of the country provides lots of opportunity to see new birds. 

Right before I was laid off (I mean right before, that Sunday) Mark and I spent a rainy day shopping.  Our last stop of the day was the local Borders, and one of my purchases was Peterson Field Guides Western Birds.    Since then I have added several birds to my 'life list' - among them Abert's Towhee, Inca Doves, and the striking  Zone-Tailed Hawk. 

Today Mark and I had lunch with one of our former co-workers, and I didn't go straight home.  Instead, I ignored the 'patron parking only' sign at one of the hotels on Scottsdale Road, and parked far away from the building, right by their sizable pond.  This naturalized reservoir was hosting several groups of water fowl.

Hanging out on the grass close to shore were a white-spangled Mallard hybrid and some feral domesticated ducks, probably Pekins.   On either side of these where small bands of the ubiquitous Canada Goose.  Is there anywhere on the continental US where you WON'T find these birds?

On the far side of the lawn, buffered from contact with anyone in the parking lot by the more plentiful Canadians, was a group of Snow Geese. 

Out on the water were still more of the Canadians, a few pairs of Mallards, and some Coots.  I spent a good bit of time watching several surface diving birds. These stayed far enough out that my poor vision couldn't get a good view of their field marks.  From what I was able to note - white face, buff necklace, 'mohawk' - I think they were Ruddy Ducks in their winter plumage.  Alternately, they might have been Least Grebes.  I really need to get new glasses. {ed:  I'm pretty sure they were Ruddys, at this point...}

But I didn't need new glasses to see the next arrival.  A large bird flew in from the north, idly buzzing the ducks on the far side of the pond.  White head and tail made the ID a no-brainer.  The Bald Eagle.  I stayed still where I was and the bird flew over and landed in a tree 80 feet or so behind me.  I turned to look as it was casting its eye around and it gave me a direct look.  It came out of the tree, went past me (with another tree between us) at about 40 feet away.  Fantastic! 

This was a nearly adult bird, with just a single band at the edge of the tail proclaiming its still juvenile status.  Beautiful bird!  And what a great way to spend 30 or so minutes of my day.  After the bird continued south, I returned to my car and came home. 

Another book I got that day was a collection of Peterson's essays from Bird Watcher's Digest, titled 'All Things Reconsidered.'   What an interesting life that man lead!

Comments

[kate]

I think the Canadian geese hang out with all the elderly Canadians who spend part of their winters in AZ.

[Jenn]

Oh Kate,

Now I'm laughing. That's perfect!

[Brenda from Flatbush]

Canada geese in Arizona!?! Hahaha! I'll start handing out flyers about "Beautiful Arizona" to the gangs of them here in Brooklyn! (Just kidding. Hey, send us some snow geese and Inca doves!)

[Jenn]

Oh, Brenda. Thank you. You brought a little tear of mirth to my eye.

I needed that.

Good luck with your new career as avian travel agent!

[Jacci]

If you're staring to accumulate a cool birding library check out this book. It has birds stories but all nature as well and it is THE most awesome book. The Animal Dialogues by Craig Childs; it's a collection of short stories and they will blow you away. They are just right for a quiet start to the day; read a story with your morning coffee and then head on out to see what's up in the world.
Sibley's Guide to Birds is also a great buy, it'll be dog-eared quickly and a compaion book of Sibley's Guide to Bird Life & Behavior is a good reference. Enjoy
Jacci

[jenn]

Thanks, Jacci.

I'll look those up.