Rain or Shine

A recent 3 day trip to the White Mountains of Arizona, was just what was needed by 4 of us that needed a break from the Arizona summer heat.  We had to deal with rain off-and-on for the first couple of days, but it was so cool and refreshing, none of us were complaining. Joined by Muriel Neddermeyer, Babs Buck, and Chris Rohrer, we had a couple of target birds as our goal.  The first was the Dusky Grouse, which would be a lifer for all 4 of us. The second target species was the American Three-toed Woodpecker, which would be a lifer for 2 in the party.  It would not be a lifer for me however, as I had seen one in 2012 and after 4 years, it would be nice to see one again.  

In spite of 3 visits to the top of Green's Peak, we dipped on the Dusky Grouse, but we definitely gave it our best shot.  However, on a side note, on our second visit and walking down the trail on the north side, we were stunned to have a very brief glimpse of a Gray Wolf, trotting down the trail and quickly out of view. After that brief sighting, it helped us understand the distant unusual barking that we were hearing.  

The hunt for the American Three-toed Woodpecker ended with better results and a new life bird for both Muriel and Chris.  We checked several spots where they had been reported in the past, with the Butler Canyon Trail in Greer being the most promising location.  After our first visit and getting rained out, the second visit proved to be fortuitous for us.  Once we got far enough up the trail and into the right habitat, then it was a matter of listening and watching and waiting.  Sure enough, a male finally revealed his location.  It wasn't until it flew to a different tree that we were able to get photos. While I failed to get photos of the yellow crown on this bird, Muriel and Chris did which was very gratifying for all since it was a life bird for them.  

    

The rest of the photos in this blog are just some of the other interesting and cool discoveries that I found intriguing.  

 Horned Lark

 'Red-shafted' Northern Flicker

 Pied-billed Grebe - Parent and juvenile

 Pied-billed Grebe Juvenile

 Pygmy Nuthatch

 Rufous Hummingbird

 Sora

 Sora - With an itch

 Western Bluebird - Juvenile

 Western Bluebird - Juvenile

Willow Flycatcher

 Abert's Squirrel

 Cliff Chipmunk

 Unknown flower with unknown ant.

Nokomis Fritillary - A very vibrant and colorful butterfly

 American Dipper

 Lobster Mushrooom - something new to me and it is edible.

 Mormon Fritillary

 Unknown fungi

 Olive-sided Flycatcher

Williamson's Sapsucker

As we were preparing to depart this area, I received a notice from a friend that a Tricolored Heron was discovered at the Gilbert Riparian Water Ranch back in the valley.  So we hatched a plan to stop there on our return.  Yes, it took us about 3 hours to return and when we did, we quickly got a slap in the face with the triple digit temperatures.  But we persevered and went to the water ranch and split up.  Muriel was the one the found it on pond 6.  She quickly got the rest of us on it.  What a great way to end the 3 day road trip!

 Tricolored Heron

All four of us had a very enjoyable 3 day trip with some good friends and some good food in Springerville, Arizona.

Wisconsin - Part 5

To get more birds, Chris and I, both knew that we were going to have to make a trip to the central and also the southwestern part of Wisconsin, to get some key birds.  A couple of them were rarities that are hard to find.  So we headed out on a long drive towards the southwestern part of the state and along the way we planned on stopped at Baxter Hollow State Recreation Area near the town of Baraboo.  Google Maps lead us into the north entrance and it was like being lost alone in a forest until a nice young lady from Nature Conservancy came in and told us about the south entrance.  We then ventured to the south entrance per her directions and once there we also had the area to ourselves.  Both spots are great for birding, but the south entrance was a bit kinder as far as birds.  This day was hot and humid and it became pretty sultry by the time we had arrived about noon.  Best photo opportunity was with Indigo Buntings, one of North America's most beautiful blue birds.  They were quite numerous in this location. Ovenbirds were also high in numbers and very vocal, but they sure did not want to pose for any photos.

 Indigo Bunting

From here we headed on to Governor Dodge State Park and by this time the humidity was starting to build and in conjunction with the sun, it was getting a bit uncomfortable.  But we still made the best of it before finally checking in to the local motel.  This is a beautiful park and on the trail to the Steven's Falls for a cool down, we had a fairly cooperative Willow Flycatcher to entertain us.

 Willow Flycatcher

Barn Swallow on nest

Coincidentally, there was going to be a presentation on the bird life of Governor Dodge State Park later that evening, so we decided to attend.  It was very informative and while sitting outdoors we were hearing some of the nocturnal birds such as Barred Owls and the Eastern Whip-poor-will.  The Barred Owl was not a new bird for me, but the Eastern Whip-poor-will was.  

It is one of those birds that a person is more apt to hear and not actually see.  So I attempted to make a recording of one calling.  It is actually a video, so there is nothing to see but black.  However, the incessant calling is quite obvious and the call is one that gave it it's name.  

Also took several other photos of some butterflies as well that were interesting.  

 Red-spotted Purple

 Red-spotted Purple

 A field of wild lupines.

Steven's Falls

Viceroy (Not a Monarch, but it looks similar)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

The next day we headed for Wyalusing State Park which is located in the southwestern part of the state.  Our goal here were a couple of desired warbler species.  While trying to locate the warblers, we were pleasantly surprised to hear an Acadian Flycatcher, which belongs to the infamous family of Empidonax flycatchers.  Like most in this family of birds, this one has a distinct call. kind of like it is saying 'peeet-sah'.  (Very similar to pizza.)

 Acadian Flycatcher

Then the 'fun' part began, trying to see and locate warblers with dark, rain laden skies.  Besides hearing and catching glimpses of Prothonotary Warblers, we also got Cerulean and Kentucky Warblers.  Both gave us less than satisfactory looks and even worse photos.  However, what we get sometimes in this scavenger hunt for birds, is not always having the bird displaying well for us.  (As you will see on a future post for this trip.)

 Cerulean Warbler

Kentucky Warbler

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

One more stop on this day took us to Mill Bluff State Park; probably not considered a high point for most birders, but one that we are so glad we went.  While walking around at this small park, a pair of Blue-winged Warblers came in to visit us.  This was another warbler high on my target list and these two made up for the stinkers (Cerulean and Kentucky) that we found earlier in the day at Wyalusing.  These were the most cooperative and gave us lots of photo ops.

 Blue-winged Warbler

The next day was going to be a special one as we were going to attempt to find the 'Holy Grail' of birding in Wisconsin.  Stay tuned for more posts.