Days 23 and 27

I missed a couple days in there this past week, but I chalk it up to the hectic schedule I had during the last couple of days of training. It was a tough two weeks, but I'm now officially a structural firefighter for the NPS!

Before I get to the next couple of photos for my 365 Days project, I wanted to share some video from the fire training I was at. This first one is a little boring, but I'm the second person on the hose as we approach a "propane tree". Our task was to "capture" the flames inside a cone of water. This would give us the opportunity to see how powerful a tool water can be to not only extinguish but also to move and manipulate fire. It also was a chance to gain confidence in the ability of our equipment to protect us from heat.

This second video perfectly demonstrates what I meant by "capturing the flame". I took this during our vehicle fire exercise. And believe it or not, but this is in real time. It's not sped up at all. That day was so windy it made for a huge and dramatic fire inside that van. It was awesome!

I had a great time at training, but I am so happy to finally be home. I slept for over 13 hours last night and plan on duplicating that again tonight.

So here are my Day 23 and 27 photos:

Day 23
Capturing the Flame
I didn't actually take this photo, but it was taken with my camera, and that person standing there with the nozzle in hand facing that huge ball of flame is me, so I thought it qualified by default. This was also during the vehicle fire exercise.

Day 27
Three-toed Woodpecker
With spring finally making an appearance (it felt, looked and sounded like spring today), I can assure you that you'll probably see many more bird pics in the days and months to come. Not only are the migrants starting to arrive (this woodpecker is a year-round resident, though), but the weather is finally getting warm enough that it's actually comfortable to be outside fiddling around with my camera. I ended up taking 287 pictures of this very cooperative bird, most of them from less than 10 feet away. I think it's the closest I've ever been to a Three-toed Woodpecker. And I can now vouch that he is properly named!

2008's Top Five "Birdy" Moments

As has become sort of a tradition, I'm choosing to do a "Top 5" list to close out 2008. As has ALSO become sort of a tradition, I will be copying Patrick's idea.

So, here are my top five "birdy" moments of 2008.

5. 2008 Christmas Bird Count
I had been planning on posting a report of my experience with the '08 CBC, but I got a little distracted. So I figured this would be as good a place as any to put it. Even though the day was wet...very, very wet (it rained the entire time), I still had a great experience. I love participating in the CBC. Not only does it give me an excuse to go out birding (as if anyone needs an excuse), but the camaraderie of gathering together with other birders and tallying the day's count is always exciting. There's such a sense of anticipation and delight at learning what everyone saw during their count.

As I mentioned, my count was very wet. I volunteered for a 7.9 mile route down the Going to the Sun Road, starting at the Lake McDonald Lodge, then turning off toward Kelly Camp around the northeast end of the lake. The snowshoeing wasn't necessarily that difficult, but I still got drenched from the outside (rain) as well as the inside (sweat).

The most anticipated spot along my route was the bridge at the head of the lake over McDonald Creek. Sonja had been spotting dozens of eagles here a month ago, all feasting on the spawning kokanee salmon. I saw four, plus about a half-dozen Chestnut-backed Chickadees, some Pine Siskins and a Steller's Jay.

But the highlight of the entire day was spotting the little American Dipper happily diving into the creek in search of aquatic invertebrates. These little birds absolutely amaze me every time I see them. They have a tremendous range (from interior Alaska to Arizona) and are completely non-migratory (given that there is an open stream available year round). It's hard to believe that the little birds toughing it out all winter north of Fairbanks and those chillin' in the warm perennial streams of southern Arizona are the same species. This bird is why Sunday's CBC is on my top five list.

4. Any morning spent enjoying Montezuma Well
As much as I love living at Glacier National Park, I really miss Montezuma Well. There are very few places I have ever been where you can actually feel the spirit of the place. Montezuma Well is one of them. The sense of timeless magic and peacefulness is palpable. Each season has a different sort of magic, too. In the winter, my favorite thing to do is walk slowly up to the rim from the parking lot. As you crest the ridge you are suddenly bombarded with the adorable squeaking of dozens of American Wigeons. Hearing that sound brought a smile to my face every single time. In the summer, the place to be is in the little oasis at the end of the trail where the water emerges from the cliff face into the prehistoric irrigation canal, the Outlet. Sitting comfortably under the dense forest canopy with your feet soaking in the 74 degree water, while the Arizona sun scorches everything not in shade, is an experience you'll never forget. And the birds know this, too. Even in the heat of the afternoon I never failed to see/hear all manner of birdlife: Summer Tanagers, Hooded Orioles, Bridled Titmice, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren...

3. Madera Canyon
What more can be said about Madera Canyon? Any visit to that birding paradise deserves a spot on your top 5 list!

2. Madera Canyon
And if you go more than once, it deserves TWO spots on your list!

1. Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Even my trips to Madera don't trump this little gem of an experience. It was my last official day working at Montezuma Well, and I decided to take a video camera to document my commute to work along the prehistoric irrigation canal that ran behind our house. I had assumed that I had seen all the new species that I would see in Arizona, considering we would be moving to Montana within a few days. Imagine my surprise when I heard a bird I had been dreaming of seeing for nearly 20 years during my morning walk. And I had the video camera along to document the moment! So here it is, my top "birdy" moment of 2008:


Happy New Year to all of my faithful readers. Here's hoping that 2009 lives up to it's promise:

Signs of Summer

Although my relatives in Minnesota would never know it (they're expecting another 8-10" of snow tonight), summer is just around the corner. And with his arrival at our hummingbird feeder this morning, this Hooded Oriole is a herald of the hot days to come. While I'm certainly not looking forward to four months of 95-110 degree weather, the presence of birds like this in our backyard sort of make it bearable. Almost.

An Unexpected Lifer

Tuesday morning, after spending that hour down along the shore of the Well, I was hanging out in the parking lot chatting with one of our volunteers. While I was standing there I noticed some Western Bluebirds and a juvenile Northern Mockingbird hanging out in a large juniper nearby.

So, since I still had my camera in hand, I decided to take both more me-time and more photographs. I happily clicked away, easily taking another fifty pictures of these very cooperative subjects. Nothing particularly exciting about the whole experience...just a chance to take pictures of some fairly common birds. Birds I have seen hundreds of times before. Or so I thought.

That evening I told Sonja about my morning in the parking lot and proceeded to pour through the 264 images, culling them down to the 21 best, including this one of the mockingbird.

I hadn't even considered the option that this bird wasn't a Northern Mockingbird. I see them in that tree all the time. It looks like a mockingbird...it's in the same place as other mockingbirds...it's a mockingbird. Then I happened to mention to Sonja that some birders had seen a Sage Thrasher only a few days prior in the same spot. She thought that was pretty cool, since neither of us had ever seen one before, and thought we should try to go find it sometime.

Before bed that evening, while sitting on the crapper, no less, I was flipping through one of our bird books when I suddenly spotted a picture of the mockingbird I had taken a picture of that morning. However, next to it was the label "Sage Thrasher". I flipped back to the mockingbird section, then back to the thrashers. They looked pretty similar, particularly the juvenile mockingbird, but there were some definite differences.

After re-examining the photo there was no question about it. What I had assumed was simply a young Northern Mockingbird turns out to be a brand new lifer for me. It was a reminder to me never to take a bird for granted. Even if it's one you've seen a million times before, one you've seen so many times you don't even have to think about it before IDing it.

Anyway, here's a photo of one of the bluebirds I saw, too.

Yesterday Morning

I took some me-time yesterday morning and spent an hour on the shore of Montezuma Well with my camera. This is what I saw.

Look closely...

Weekend Pictures

Some photographs from our morning at the Slide Rock Apple Festival in Oak Creek Canyon, near Sedona. An apple festival with a surprising lack of apples. Lots of cool wildlife, though.

Lesser Goldfinch
(Texas "black-backed" plumage...which is a little strange since this variety is normally not found west of New Mexico)
A water-skimming swarm of insects. No idea what they actually are.
Ornate Tree Lizard
Urosaurus ornatus

American Dipper
(I was experimenting with exposures, trying to capture details when my subject is in the shade)

The Best Laid Plans...

...as Steinbeck wrote, "often go awry." Such is the case this week with my first ever go around at hosting the "I and the Bird" Blogging Carnival. Grandiose plans for posting the carnival in a manner that is uniquely me (something appropriately geeky, of course) sort of fell flat on my face as work, love and the trials of life all conspired against me this week.

Although, considering some of the ideas that had been bouncing around in my head (keep in mind that I am pretty giddy about the upcoming release of the new Transformers movie), maybe it's a good thing I didn't "geek out" for this post. You might have all been subjected to a multitude of obscure references to 80's pop culture, or even attempts to relate birding blogs to characters from old He-Man cartoons.

So, consider yourselves fortunate to have escaped such a fate. Instead, this 52nd entry into the I and the Bird blog carnival will be perfectly and delightfully normal.

Won't it, Frodo?

You got that right, Paul. You won't be hearing any mention about He-Man, She-Ra, or even the Smurfs from me. Too childish. Just ask Ultra Magnus, here.

Obviously, Frodo, those programs you mentioned are intended for an audience with significantly lower mental capacity than those who normally read the "I and the Bird" blog carnival. Take Greg Laden's post highlighting a popular YouTube video about a moonwalking manikin, for instance. Sure, the video is a bit silly, but do you honestly think someone who watches the Smurfs would find that interesting?

Exactly my point! You see, I and the Bird hosts need to maintain certain standards for their review of the submissions they receive. Likewise, post submitters often go to extremes to demonstrate just how sophisticated birders can be. For example, Clare describes the joys of early summer birding in the Arctic, a distinguished pastime I remember fondly from my time living in Fairbanks, Alaska. Although, to be honest, I never tried searching for Rock Ptarmigan while wearing a kilt before.

We've also got the Ridger, of The Greenbelt, who takes the time to share the frustration I myself have felt at being unprepared to capture an exciting bird encounter on film. She tries her best to capture the scene of two bitterns in a snag with her camera phone. Remember, when life hands you lemons.... Or, as my friend Samwise Gamgee would say, "What we need is a few good taters."

Uh oh... What's wrong, now, Malfurion?

Oh, nothing, Frodo. I just got done reading J Fischer's Ecobirder blog about his recent adventure photographing Great Horned Owl nests in Minnesota. Made me homesick, is all.

Wait, that's not my Homer Hanky from the 1987 World Series, is it?

Oh...um, yes, I mean, no...

Uhhh.... I'll wash it. I promise.

For crying out loud...anyway, I've still got a lot of blog submission to cover so I figured I'd enlist the help of some friends. Here are the Maul brothers. This is Darrel, and his other brother Darrel.

Ok, Darrel and I went through the list and picked out all of our favorite entries. Basically anything that had anything to do with blood, violence, monsters...

Or baby birds.

Yes, Darrel, or baby birds. So, first off we've got Lord Garavin’s Bird Blog, which highlights exciting photos documenting the fledgling flights of a group of young Peregrine Falcons in Rochester, NY. Now, you may be asking yourself where the blood and violence is in this post.

But they count, cuz they're baby birds!

Yes, I realize that. But my point was that these are raptors. And everyone knows raptors love to eat tourists. Just wait until these bad boys grow up and then you'll see the carnage. If you don't believe me, just pop in a copy of Jurassic Park sometime.

Next we've got Karen at Rurality, who shares some great close-ups of vicious Baby Barn Swallows. These little monsters have a bad rap with some folks (and are often the target of TV ad smear campaigns by the powerful and controversial mosquito-rights lobby), but they're perfectly harmless and are quite beneficial to have nesting in your yard, as Karen explains while trying to dispel the myth that these fascinating birds are a nuisance.

Third we have GrrlScientist treats us to a recount of a truly monstrous bird most of us are probably relieved not to have to worry about encountering on those cool, dark early morning birding adventures. This 26-foot long 3,000 pound “Giant Roadrunner” is my kind of bird!

And not to be out-done, we've got YC, from the Bird Ecology Study Group Nature Center in Singapore, who vividly describes the gruesomely unique behaviors exhibited by birds who prefer feed on the slimy, fleshy bits hidden behind the seemingly impenetrable shells of various mollusks. I tried eating an oyster once. Notice I said once.

Ok, those are the ones we wanted to talk about. Right, Darrel?

Thanks to the Darrels for their enlightening effort. Anyway, as you can probably tell, my wife here and I both love to travel. And the more tropical and exotic the better. So it was with great delight that I got to read through some amazing posts from all over the world. Now, while Peregrine Craig at Peregrine’s Bird Blog doesn't necessarily live in what I'd call a "tropical paradise," I was surprised to read about his life-listing story of spotting his first Common Spoonbill in Northern Ireland. A spoonbill just isn't a bird I would have expected to see on the Emerald Isles. He also shares some exciting news as the British Library recently invited him to have his blog archived forever!

Buzzing over to the other side of the globe we find another story about a spoonbill. This one in the Australian outback (ok, this probably technically isn't in the outback, but I'm an American...so anything located in Australia is automatically considered to be in the outback). B, from A Snail’s Eye View, reminds us that birds have evolved similar adaptations all over the world to take advantage of the food available in various habitats, as evidenced by the Royal Spoonbill she observed in an Australian marsh.

And no trip would be complete for a bikini-clad hula girl without a stop in the Caribbean! So we go to visit Tai, from Earth, Wind and Water, who posts some beautiful shots of an American Kestral perched atop a pole “somewhere in the Caribbean”.

Next stop, Africa! We actually have two entries from this fascinating continent. First off we have James, the Birdman, who shares a beautiful description of an encounter with the bird known as Spookvoël by Afrikaaners, as well as other fascinating birds observed in the wilds of Africa. And then we have David, from Search and Serendipity, who highlights some of the amazing birds that can be seen near his home in Yaounde, Cameroon. As David so aptly puts it, “there are indeed many things to love about Africa.” I think you all will agree once you see the video of the Splendid Sunbird (Cinnyris coccinigastrus), a species whose brilliance could put any of the hummers in my backyard to shame.

Forget about these posts over here you should not. Help you understand the force, they will. Hmm?

Yeah, yeah, I was getting to those...you know, if you're so smart why don't you talk about them.

Talk about them I cannot. See to my home I must. Snakes. Yes, many snakes must I arrange.

Whatever. Alright, fine. I'll do it. Anyway, several people submitted entries that highlight the work of others or share insights about bird behavior we may not have been aware of before. For example, Julie, from Pines Above Snow, reviewed David Gessner’s new book, “Soaring with Fidel,” a humorous account of the author’s adventure following the Osprey migration from Cape Cod to Cuba. And then we have Bora, from Blog Around the Clock, who explains that nesting habits of storks, unlike what we have always heard in fairy tales, typically do not include placing them on top of chimneys except as a last resort, as in the example he shares from Serbia.

Patrick, from the Hawk Owl’s Nest, spoke with reknowned nature artist Michael DiGiorgio, in the first of what he promises to be a series of such interviews. And the Birdfreak Team asks us the question, “Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Brown-headed Cowbird?” in a valiant attempt to shed a positive light on one of North America’s “Most Un-Wanted” birds. They also offer up a few solutions to solving what many see as the problem with a very opportunistic (and highly successful) species.

Next we have Carel Brest van Kempen, from Rigor Vitae, documents and describes some of the changes in the behavior of White Pelicans at Gunnison Island in the Great Salt Lake of Utah, as some of them have been spotted frequenting new areas around Salt Lake City lately. And then there is Trevor, who provides some useful tips for anyone who wishes to attract wild birds to their yard, regardless of whether the birds in question are a North American favorite such as the Northern Cardinal or, in Trevor’s case, some fascinating Australian species like the Spiny Cheeked Honeyeater.

We also had quite a few submissions from folks who simply wanted to share their love of wildlife, like this little froggy here. I love these posts in particular because they remind me of the excitement, laughter and heartwarming stories that often result from a love of birds and birdwatching. Mike, the illustrious owner of everyone’s favorite birding blog, 10,000 Birds, not to mention the infinitely patient coordinator of this very blogging carnival, shares his account of his first ever encounter with his very own “nemesis bird”, the Ruffed Grouse, seen during a recent descent from the top of Wakeley Mountain in upstate New York.

Next we find John, from a DC Birding Blog, sharing a rewarding morning of birding at the National Arboretum filled with Blue Grosbeaks, Acadian Flycatchers and Indigo Buntings, only a few of the 45 species he encountered that day. Meanwhile, Julie reminds us never to stop looking (because you never know what you’ll see, as she says) with an eloquent story of a rather heartwarming encounter with a lonely Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Then we have Wren, of Wrenaissance, who reveals her excitement at spotting (and finally capturing on film) a killdeer family with, count them, three babies! And, of course, Ben Cruachen recounts the experience he had exploring Lake Glenmaggie encountering a flock of Cattle Egrets sharing a meadow with…well, cattle.

And finally, Bill, of Gulf Crossings, reports on the rare sighting (in June, no less) of a Common Redpoll who somehow found its way to Galveston, Texas! Talk about taking the long route to the Arctic…

So, there you have it. A completely non-geeky version of the 52nd "I and the Bird" blog carnival, courtesy of everyone's favorite hobbit...me! I hope you all had as much fun reading it as I had writing it. And, even though it's a little late (it is now officially five minutes after Thursday), I certainly hope to be able to host it once again someday. Maybe next time I'll be able to convince Gandalf and Bilbo to help out. In the meantime, when planning a birdwatching trip don't forget your lembas bread!

Happy birding, everyone!

I Love the Smell of Birding in the Morning

I could definitely get used to this. Sonja and I woke up this morning to another beautiful sunrise and decided to go for a short birding hike to the picnic area. We've been hearing rumors that assorted neo-tropical migrants are starting to arrive (there's one in particular that I am really excited for Sonja to see), and thought we would take advantage of our day off together and take in the dawn chorus.

While we didn't see any new species, we did encounter a lot of Lesser Goldfinches, Dark-eyed Juncos, American Robins, Gila Woodpeckers, Abert's Towhees, and a beautiful Anna's Hummingbird. We also got a chance to watch a pocket gopher excavating mouthfuls of dirt out of one of its elaborate tunnels. That was a first for both of us.

Sonja needed to run into town for a few errands so I decided to go grab our camera and see what I could capture while the morning light was still good.

First up was a beautiful Red-tailed Hawk perched at the top of a sycamore. I watched it for about five minutes before it took off, diving out of view beyond Beaver Creek. I didn't see it again, so I can only assume it was busy devouring whatever unfortunate critter found itself getting pounced on by a fistful of talons.

Next was a very vocal Northern Cardinal in our backyard. Spring is definitely in the air as every single male bird is busy singing like he's got a pair. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Bet you didn't know I was such a good rhymer.

I'm planning to grow my hair out like this. Fortunately, this is still a viable option for me since, unlike some of my brothers, I still have a full head of hair.

And I just couldn't resist spending a little time with my new pal, Clarence the Shiny Black Beetle. Not quite sure what species it is, yet. My preliminary guess is that it may be a Psydrus piceus, a species of ground beetle. But I haven't taken the time to key it out, so chances are I'm way off. I've seen quite a few of these rather large beetles, always on the ground (hence my assumption that it is a "ground beetle"). Pretty smart guess, huh? Anyway, I thought he was cool. He even cooperated with me to perform this little high-wire acrobatic stunt (click on the picture to watch Clarence in action!).

So Much for Winter...

It started raining today, beginning what may end up being a repeat of last year's soggy December. Hopefully not, though. I was rather enjoying the cold and snow. At any rate, I'm glad that we took advantage of yesterday's beautiful weather to take the dogs to the beach. Here are some pictures from our day.

This is a scene I don't think we'll be seeing the likes of in Arizona.

A rock. And some ice. Kind of a cool perspective, I think.

We spotted a lone Barrow's Goldeneye floating out in the bay. There was a raft of Common Mergansers behind him in the distance, and I think I remember seeing several Harlequin Ducks fly by. And of course there were the ever-present Glaucous-winged Gulls providing a nice chorus of cackles for our walk, but overall it was pretty quiet yesterday as far as the birding went.

As we left the beach at around 2pm, I turned around to snap a photo of the sun setting over the mountains and the bay to the south. The evidence left behind of our fun and energetic romp in the snow definitely put a smile on my face. While standing on the beach, with the gentle waves lapping at our feet and a solitary sea lion swimming by, Sonja asked if I was going to miss the ocean. Yeah, I think I am. I'll miss watching Harvey dive for rocks while an otter watches from offshore. I'll miss chasing Luna around the beach trying to prevent her from licking dead jellies. And I'll miss watching a Crested Auklet, a rare visitor from the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea, looking like it's trying to cough up a hairball. So yeah, I think I'll miss living three blocks from the ocean.

At the same time, though, I am very excited to begin exploring the red-rock canyons and deserts of the Southwest. Arizona holds its own unique wilderness adventures for us to experience, and both Sonja and I are looking forward to seeing what lies ahead.