Saturday, April 28, 2012

Paton's, Patagonia, AZ

What a unique and remarkable place this happens to be.  It is a very well known throughout the United States and beyond for its abundance of hummingbird species that are constantly visiting its feeders.  If you ever visit the place, please be sure to donate anything you can afford as the birds greatly rely on the feeders for one of the sources of food and it helps keep this place open for the benefit to all of us. 

During our visit (Desert Rivers Audubon Society) we observed a minimum of 6 hummingbird species; Broad-billed, Anna's, Black-chinned, Costa's, Rufous, and the much sought after Violet-crowned.  This is one of the best places in the United States to view the Violet-crowned.  It is one of the largest species of hummingbirds to visit the US and I was able to capture a couple of photos.


I think the name fits the bird nicely.


And of course, not to be outdone, we have a photo of a Rufous Hummingbird to share.


Hummingbird feeders are not the only feeders in use.  They have several seed feeders and also some platform feeders where many species partake of the fruit being offered as seen by this Bullock's Oriole in the photo below.


The seed feeders attract a different set of birds such as sparrows and sparrow related species of various types.  What I found odd, but in a good way, was no House Sparrows were present during our visit.  Here is a photo of a Chipping Sparrow.


And a photo of a Lark Sparrow.


Here is a Green-tailed Towhee, which is closely related to the sparrows.


And also quite plentiful were Black-headed Grosbeaks.


And finally, one of the prettiest birds around, (and most sought after), the Lazuli Bunting.


One must keep in mind that this place is a wondrous place and that the birds are constantly changing due to migration schedules.  Some are residents, but many are just passing through and remember that birds do molt and go through various plumage changes, so the colors will change from month to month and week to week.  Other notable birds that we saw while we were there include Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Pine Siskin, Gambel's Quail (with baby chicks!), Bridled Titmouse, Hooded Oriole, White-breasted Nuthatch, and the 'rare for Arizona' White-throated Sparrow.  If you ever make it to Arizona for a visit and would like to see some birds, this place is a must see.  It is set up with chairs and benches and an overhead canopy for easy and leisurely viewing.

6 comments:

  1. Nice work Gordon! You represented the diversity and beauty of the Paton birding experience extremely well. I saw a lot of the same birds there in February, but got few pictures. It was great to re-live that wonderful afternoon through your photos and commentary.

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    1. Thanks Laurence, for your guidance. I think I am going to like this, but know I need to be disciplined to make my posts when they are fresh.

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  2. Gordon, I enjoyed your visit and the photos of the Paton yard birds, thanks for sharing your blog and all your photos with us.

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    1. Thanks Larry, I think I am going to like this blog. It gies me a chance to express my thoughts a views a bit more and it really is a bit like a diary as it keeps track of all my adventures for me and when my mind fails me, maybe I can use this to remind me! I will be back to Paton's in the future, just not yet sure when that time will be.

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  3. What a treat Gordon - you will be on my favorites list along with my quilting blog. Will also share with my brother. You are an amazing photographer - love your pics.

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    1. I will need to look up your quilting blog, even though I don't quilt. But I do have a absolutely stunning quilt with birds on it! Wonder who designed that? Any ideas? Thanks, Dee.

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