Exploring Baja Sur (Mexico) — part 2
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Even in a semi-tropical place like Baja you can’t depend on the weather. Our second full day was supposed to be a trip to La Paz where we would boat out to one of the islands in the Sea of Cortez where there is a large sea lion colony and be able to snorkel among them. Alas, strong winds closed the ports and boats wouldn’t be going anywhere. So, we opted for Plan B which was to drive just south of La Paz and visit a cactus sanctuary. Maybe not as exciting as swimming with sea lions but we’re always interested in local flora so off we went.
We spent several hours enjoying the cacti, birds, butterflies, iguanas and snakes (just a very large and colorful gopher snake). Many of the cacti were enormous specimens like this beautiful Organ Pipe.
Organ Pipe Cactus
Crested Form of Organ Pipe
Cardón Flower Buds
Palo Adán (Fouquieria diguetii) — a relative of Ocotillo
After a lunch of delicious pizza at the Café El Triunfo, we drove to the pueblo of San Juan de las Gallinas and visited the old mission.
Mission at San Juan de las Gallinas
Next on our itinerary was the “Whale Camp” about a 6 hour drive from Todos Santos, so after a spectacular seafood dinner at Café Santa Fe, in Todos Santos we turned in for the night.
Dinner at Cafe Santa Fe
Published by Arlene Ripley on March 9th, 2010 Tagged Nature, Plants, Wanderings | Comment now »
Exploring Baja Sur (Mexico) — day 1
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Living so close to Mexico and never having visited there (a shopping trip to Nogales doesn’t count!), we decided to take a week to explore the southern end of Baja California (Baja Sur). We’ve always been fascinated with Baja, especially after reading John Steinbeck’s The Log from the Sea of Cortez.
We flew to Cabo San Jose with our final destination being the small and picturesque town of Todos Santos on the Pacific Coast about a 90 minute ride from Cabo. We settled into our casita at Los Colibris after dark and fell asleep to the sound of the pounding surf on the nearby beach. The next morning we stepped out on our veranda to this beautiful view.
View from Los Colibris, Todos Santos, MX
We had a very lovely room with a roof-top terrace and veranda including a refrigerator stocked with juice, melons, strawberries, cranberry bread and other goodies.
Our Casita & Roof-top Terrace
But the best part was the roof-top terrace with its four hummingbird feeders which attracted not only the beautiful Costa’s Hummingbird but my most sought-after bird on this trip — the endemic Xantus’s Hummingbird. It didn’t take long to add this beauty to my life-list. It’s quite similar in appearance to the closely related White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis) the differences being the rufous breast and tail feathers.
Male Xantus’s Hummingbird (Hylocharis xantusii)
Los Colibris offers ecotours and we signed up for a few of them, the first of which was a hike which began at the scenic beach of Punta Lobos.
Fishing Boats at Punta Lobos
We enjoyed photographing some of the many Brown Pelicans resting on the boats.
Brown Pelicans (Pelicanus occidentalis)
Our guide, Janine, took us on an uphill climb that was a bit challenging but in the end rewarded us with stunning views of the coastal cliffs and a good introduction to the local flora.
Our Guide, Janine
Spectacular Scenery
Cardón Cactus Along the Coast
The Cardón Cactus (Pachycereus pringlei), similar to the Saguaro (Carnegia gigantea) of the Sonoran Desert, is the largest cactus species in the world and is mostly found only in the deserts of Baja California. It can live to 300 years and can attain a height of 70 feet. We were fortunate to find some of the Cardóns in bloom during our visit.
Cardón (Pachycereus pringlei)
Cardón Flowers
Another impressive and common cactus occuring in the area is the Organ Pipe Cactus (Stenocereus thurberi). This upright, multi-branching cactus is also found in the Sonoaran Desert in the U.S. It can reach a height of 23 feet and its fruit produces an edible pulp which was a food source for native Americans.
Organ Pipe Cactus (Stenocereus thurberi)
After a picnic lunch on the beach at San Pedro we went back to Todos Santos where we enjoyed a sunset horseback ride on the beach. It was a long but enjoyable first day in Baja.
Published by Arlene Ripley on March 6th, 2010 Tagged Birds, Nature, Plants, Wanderings | 1 Comment »
The Waning Days of Winter
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In the past week, I’ve noticed signs of spring. The cottonwoods in Tucson are leafing out, some of the flowers already spent. In St. David, about a thousand feet higher than Tucson, buds are swelling and almost ready to burst. Here in the Dragoon Mountain foothills, another thousand feet higher than St. David, spring is a bit slower to revea litself but I did manage to find one cottonwood showing signs of life. The sycamores, however, are still in their wintery nakedness.
Sycamore & Sun
In the not too distant future, the recent rains are going to work magic — there is a prediction for a good spring wildflower bloom! I took a walk around the property today looking for evidence of germinating seeds but all I could find were some black oil sunflower seedlings from seeds scattered by rodents and wind. They probably don’t “know” that many freezing nights are still possible so I doubt I’ll be seeing actual sunflower plants.
We’ve had quite a different make-up of birds at our feeders this fall and winter. Of course, the residents are always here — the House Finches, Lesser Goldfinches, Mourning Doves,Canyon Towhees, Black-throated and Rufous-crowned Sparrows. House Finch and Mourning Dove numbers are triple what they were last year while goldfinches are far fewer. White-crowned Sparrow numbers are also much decreased and we are saving a bundle on thistle seed this year because Pine Siskins are less than a dozen (at one point last winter we were feeding over a hundred!). White-crowned Sparrows average about 7/day this winter compared to 5 times that many last winter. Green-tailed Towhees, Brewer’s, Lincoln’s and Vesper Sparrows have been non-existent at the feeding station since migrating through in September. Chipping Sparrows are rare.
Adult White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)
On the bright side, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, it’s been a wonderful year for bluebirds. I’m still seeing small flocks of both Western and Mountain as I drive around the Ranch. Woodpeckers, which never visited the feeding station last year are more common this winter. We have a pair of Gilas, an occasional Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, and a shy Ladderback that has visited but never taken food or water.
Male Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis)
Completely new are the thrashers — Curve-billed and Crissal’s. The Curve-billed was fascinated by the hopper feeder which filled up with snow when the lid blew off in our “big” snowstorm before Christmas.
Hmm, this used to be full of seeds not this white stuff!
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre)
After the snow was scooped out revealing the sunflower seeds, it had an enjoyable time rooting around in the seed.
Our most “unique” feeder bird this fall and winter has been a single Western (Woodhouse’s) Scrub-Jay. There are two distinct populations of scrub-jays: Pacific and Interior (Woodhouse’s). There are both plumage and personality differences between the two. Pacific are thicker-billed and more deeply colored while the interior birds are thinner-billed and duller in plumage. They are also shyer and less-conspicuous than their Pacific cousins. Our bird loves to haul away nuts that I place on the top of the feeder. This secreting of nuts and seeds occupies much of its time and energy. I don’t want to say anything but…….winter is almost over so when is it going to need all of this supplemental food? I guess some rodents will eventually enjoy the Mother Lode.
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Do I Have Enough Yet?
As much as I enjoy the winter months, I have to admit I’m looking forward to that first spring migrant. I wonder what it will be?
Published by Arlene Ripley on February 19th, 2010 Tagged Arizona, Birds, Cochise County, Nature | 1 Comment »
B&B Birding
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B&Bs that cater to birders are very popular here in SE Arizona. Fortunately you don’t have to be a guest to visit some of them, and those that only cater to guests often open their doors to birders when rarities show up. So all it took was a phone call the day before to ask permission to visit Battiste’s Bed, Breakfast & Birds in lower Miller Canyon in the Huachuaca Mts. Tony and Julie had several target birds for me: namely Piñon Jay and Golden-crowned Sparrow both quite far from their normal ranges.
The sparrow was visible the minute I arrived. Now that’s a cooperative bird! Normally a resident of the western half of the Pacific coast states, this sparrow somehow ended up in Hereford, AZ. It certainly picked a lovely spot.
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla)
My three hour vigil watching for the Piñon Jay to appear was not successful. Apparently it was waiting for me to leave because I was told that it showed up 15 minutes after I had departed. There are always rewards and disappointments when out birding. However, I could hardly be disappointed because during my time at the B&B, I saw 29 species of birds including Anna’s Hummingbirds, Ladder-backed, Acorn and Arizona Woodpecker, Hutton’s Vireo, Fox Sparrow, and Yellow-eyed Junco! A veritable winter bird feast!
I’ve tried, but failed, to capture a good photo of a Spotted Towhee. No problem here — they were all over the place. There is a splendid photography set-up at the B&B along with a blind that seats two people which can be rented by the hour or half-day. If you’re a guest there, it’s yours to use at your convenience. What an asset for bird photographers!
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
Yellow-rumped Warblers were abundant in the garden and a few cooperated for photos. This first-winter bird has retained very juvenile plumage.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata)
This yellow-rumped shows typical winter plumage.
Yellow-rumped Warblers used to be split into two different species: Myrtle Warbler and Audubon’s Warbler. While very similar in appearance, they can be distinguished in the field by the color of the throat. Myrtle’s have white throats while Audubon’s are yellow. The yellow-throated form is mainly found west of the Rockies whereas the white-throated birds are found in every state and Canada.
Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s ) Warbler
I’d been hearing Pine Siskins but hadn’t seen any come to the feeders. When they did, I was taken aback by one so yellow that, at first, I thought it was a Lesser Goldfinch.
Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus)
Since I’d never seen a Pine Siskin this yellow before, I did a little research. According to the “Sibley Guide to Birds,” there is a scarce yellow adult form of the Pine Siskin and guess what? It’s most frequent in the southwest! Yet another interesting sighting in the Battiste’s beautiful bird garden.
Published by Arlene Ripley on February 11th, 2010 Tagged Arizona, Birds, Cochise County, Nature, Wanderings | 2 Comments »
The White Flycatcher
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Over a week ago now (I’ve been doing domestic stuff like painting walls and got behind with blogging), I visited Sweetwater Wetlands Park in west central Tucson. It’s a convenient stop, just off of I-10 a bit northwest of the Prince Rd. exit. I hadn’t been to Sweetwater in months which I regret because it’s probably the #1 birding hotspot in Tucson, especially in the cooler months. Some weeks earlier a leucistic Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) was spotted at the park and I procrastinated to the point that I forgot it was there. So, when I made my visit, I wasn’t even looking for the ghostly white bird. Instead it found me.
Leucistic Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
This bird is so white that at first impression you think it’s an albino but on closer inspection, you notice the dark eyes which would be pink were it a true albino as well as a slight pinkish-orange cast on some of the feathers. Trusting and calm, it perched just above where I was standing and proceeded to preen giving me even better views of the feathers in the vent are which should be scarlet if the bird is a male and much more pigmented if a female. The tail feathers are grayish instead of black.
Preening
Birds are referred to as leucistic even if they have only a few white feathers that would normally be pigmented. In true albinism the gene that produces the pigments which color the feathers is missing. This bird is an extreme case of leucism. On this day, the little white flycatcher was in the company of both a striking crimson and black male and a female, making the contrast between them even more impressive.
Sweetwater is truly an oasis in the desert and attracts a large variety of wintering waterfowl. I never cease to admire the beautiful Northern Shovelers that are, by far, the most numerous ducks on the ponds. I also think the drakes are among the most photogenic of all the ducks.
Male Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
Flashy Orange Feet!
A female shoveler flew in and proceeded to bathe.
Gotta Keep Those Feathers in Shape!
There’s something about the little Pied-billed Grebe that always captivates me even though it doesn’t have flashy colored feathers. It kinda looks like an aquatic chicken.
Pied-billed Grebe (Podylimbus podiceps)
This little guy or gal (the sexes both look alike) lacks the black vertical stripe on the bill that gives it its name. This is because it’s in non-breeding plumage until about April. They spend most of their time diving for food and rarely fly. This bird wanted to get to another spot on the pond quickly and did so by “running” on the surface of the water.
Slinking on by in the silky waters of the pond was the more secretive Common Moorhen. These birds are usually only seen singly or in pairs, never in large numbers like their close cousins, the American Coot. I think the name Uncommon Moorhen would suit them better.
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
One last little surprise before leaving the park, a Yellow Warbler– two, in fact. Birds that should be overwintering in Central or South America. You just never know what you’ll find on a visit to Sweetwater!
Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia)
Published by Arlene Ripley on January 29th, 2010 Tagged Arizona, Birds, Nature, Tucson, Wanderings | 3 Comments »
A Bluebird Winter
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This has turned into the winter of the bluebird. Even lowland areas such as downtown Tucson are reporting flocks of Western Bluebirds. If I drive to the old water tanks along the Forest Road in the nearby Coronado National Forest, I never fail to find many Western Bluebirds at the seepage from the tanks.
Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) Flock at the Water Tanks
I spotted ours in late October and since then we’ve had them coming for water almost daily. A beautiful flock of seven Western Bluebirds.
Western Bluebirds Tanking Up
No, wait. Make that six Westerns and one female Mountain Bluebird. How did she get in there?
Female Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)
One morning, early on, she arrived before sunrise with a beautiful male, but they left before I could take photos. I wondered if I’d see the male again and I didn’t.
The flock would fly in and land on the dead agave stalks we put up for perches. We have lots of Palmer’s Agave up here and the dead flower stalks make wonderful bird perches, especially when tall trees are at a premium, in fact, non-existent.
Western Bluebirds on Agave Stalk
One morning as I was driving out of the Ranch, I passed a dry wash with many large junipers (Juniperus monoensis). Those juniper-laden washes have always fascinated me and I plan to walk the largest one but haven’t yet done so. I noticed lots of bluebirds in the trees and was pleased to note that all of the bluebirds I was seeing (a flock of about 60 birds) were Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides)! Next morning, bright and early, I was in that wash, camera and binoculars in hand.
The junipers were laden with berries and the bluebirds were eagerly scarfing them up.
Male Mountain Bluebird with Juniper Berry
Male Mountain Bluebird
My two favorite photos of male Mountain Bluebirds showing off their stunning turquoise colors.
Naturally I had to return to this spot several more times, and each time I was rewarded with stellar views of the feeding bluebird flock accompanied by a single Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) who, on my first visit, hopped right on the roof of my car while I was still sitting in it! Since there was no apparent water around for miles, I got the bright idea to bring a plant saucer and fill it with water. I set it under a juniper, camouflaged the saucer with some rocks and sat and waited for the bluebirds to come down for a drink. Some did but what I did not expect was within a few minutes of placing the water dish, other species also came in for water. Species that I hadn’t seen in the wash before.
First to find the water was a Northern Cardinal.
Male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Male Mountain Bluebird (note the water dribbling down his chin!)
Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus)
Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale)
Crissal Thrashers, by the way, have become exceedingly common here this winter. We also have one at our feeding station and I see one or more on most days when I go birding up here in the Dragoons.
Published by Arlene Ripley on January 16th, 2010 Tagged Arizona, Birds, Bluebirds, Cochise County, Nature | 2 Comments »
Rose-throated Becard
Today, seven days into the new year, we finally took the time to drive to Tumacacori in Santa Cruz County to the now famous Santa Gertrudis Lane to look for the Rose-throated Becard and other rarities that have been reported there over the last few weeks. We didn’t get off to an auspicious start — less than a mile into our trip, the tire sensor warning sounded and an inspection showed a low left front tire. By the time we got back to the house, we could hear the hissing as the rest of the air escaped and watched as the tire went completely flat. We loaded the other vehicle with our stuff, removed the flat tire and replaced it with the little temporary one and instead of heading for points southwest, we drove two cars down to Benson to find a tire repair shop. This, of course, ate up precious birding time.
About two hours later than anticipated, we arrived at the designated spot and walked down the lane. Of course, other birders were already there, roaming about, standing alone or in groups looking through binoculars and scopes at the various berry-laden Pyracantha shrubs, privets and hackberry trees. We met one man leaving who told us that he’d seen none of the “target” birds (Rose-throated Becard, Rufous-backed Robin and Varied Thrush to name a few). This was disappointing news.
We decided to walk down the Anza Trail to which there is an entrance gate off Santa Gertrudis Lane. It was noon and no one else was around (generally not a good sign when you’re looking for a rare bird) and it didn’t seem very birdy but we prodeeded to walk a bit farther down the trail. A Bridled Titmouse popped up and then a Hutton’s Vireo. A Hermit Thrush here and there and lots of Western Bluebirds high in the trees. Suddenly in a tree very close to where we were standing, some movement. I caught a glimpse of a rosy throat the immediately knew what I had found — Life Bird #595, the Rose-breasted Becard! This was my number one target bird for today. Any other would be icing on the cake. As it turned out, at the same time we were watching the becard, the Rufous-backed Robin put in a brief appearance at a Pyracantha shrub but by the time we got back there, it was no longer being seen. The Varied Thrush was not reported by anyone and may have left entirely.
It would have been nice to stay longer but there was that tire waiting to be picked up before 5 PM many miles up the road, so we had to leave. Nevertheless, etched in my memory will always be the vision of that first glimpse of the elusive little becard, sitting for a brief moment in a tree allowing me this photo. I didn’t even mind that the sky was a dull gray and the sun was hidden behind the clouds. The little bird from Mexico with the rosy throat was quite a New Year’s gift.
Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae)
(click on photo to enlarge)Published by Arlene Ripley on January 7th, 2010 Tagged Arizona, Birds, Nature, Wanderings | Comment now »
