tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post7227944141893890482..comments2023-09-16T04:08:25.750-07:00Comments on Butler's Birds: Uno, Dos, Tres Rios!Laurence Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-33525710566466176122012-06-03T23:25:02.394-07:002012-06-03T23:25:02.394-07:00You have the right idea. I'm leaving for Wisc...You have the right idea. I'm leaving for Wisconsin tomorrow. Hey!! If you're still there, see if you can snap that Ruby Throated Hummer.....they aren't down here in Arizona at all....the only hummer that everyone else thinks is rather boring:) There aren't any boring hummers:)Rohrerbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136631378931478644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-79159050337484704932012-06-01T21:15:23.124-07:002012-06-01T21:15:23.124-07:00Sorry to hear Chris. I must confess, I'm not i...Sorry to hear Chris. I must confess, I'm not in Arizona right now. My wife and I fled to heat for a little while. We're up in Pennsylvania for a bit. I heard it got way up in the 100s again this week too. Way to tough it out even if you didn't get the shots. At least there's not shortage of light. It's consistently overcast here.<br /><br />I don't know about haze in Phoenix. If there is any, it'd be mild stuff from pollution/driving not so much the fires, which are farther away. I don't know how the birds cope either. I guess they can shake their throats and raise their feathers and such, unlike us people, but yeah I think they're better adapted than we are. Although I'm looking forward to being able to say I birded in 120 degree heat this summer, I'm not looking forward to returning to the heat itself.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-25505803964365409932012-06-01T21:15:17.116-07:002012-06-01T21:15:17.116-07:00Sorry to hear Chris. I must confess, I'm not i...Sorry to hear Chris. I must confess, I'm not in Arizona right now. My wife and I fled to heat for a little while. We're up in Pennsylvania for a bit. I heard it got way up in the 100s again this week too. Way to tough it out even if you didn't get the shots. At least there's not shortage of light. It's consistently overcast here.<br /><br />I don't know about haze in Phoenix. If there is any, it'd be mild stuff from pollution/driving not so much the fires, which are farther away. I don't know how the birds cope either. I guess they can shake their throats and raise their feathers and such, unlike us people, but yeah I think they're better adapted than we are. Although I'm looking forward to being able to say I birded in 120 degree heat this summer, I'm not looking forward to returning to the heat itself.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-8498175776864489992012-06-01T19:58:54.049-07:002012-06-01T19:58:54.049-07:00Epic fail today. Seriously, what was I thinking? ...Epic fail today. Seriously, what was I thinking? I tried to bird in the middle of the afternoon in Madera Canyon and there were birds around but it was too hot. I don't know what I was thinking.....I got some shots but it's all stuff I've done before and nothing original. Plus I missed the Blue Grosbeak!! I saw it on the feeder but didn't get the camera out quick enough. And do you guys have haze up in Phoenix? It's really bad down here. It's from that fire in New Mexico. Tomorrow I was supposed to go up to Mt. Lemmon but those plans fell through....ugh!! It's okay, but the heat is pretty bad and even the mornings aren't very nice. I seriously don't know how the birds do it around here. Amazing to think that they can endure this heat.Rohrerbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136631378931478644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-36642823644136442242012-05-31T17:41:50.670-07:002012-05-31T17:41:50.670-07:00Thanks Gordon. You've really put the work in o...Thanks Gordon. You've really put the work in on these Sparrows!<br /><br />My longest thought was Rufous-winged, but as you say that'd be really really unprecedented for the area and it doesn't quite fit. It looks even less like a Rufous-Crowned than a Rufous-Winged to me, but that's not very helpful either. I think you are right about them being juveniles, and it's much more difficult to find and cross-reference juveniles sparrows photos. I wonder if hybrid is a possibility too?<br /><br />At any rate, I appreciate the help. Of course, this bird was totally silent the whole time I was watching.<br /><br />Good birding to ya this weekend Gordon!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-51731026272404079642012-05-31T17:29:56.249-07:002012-05-31T17:29:56.249-07:00What a great post with lots of photos and birds! ...What a great post with lots of photos and birds! I envy your Indigo Bunting sighting! Nice find, I have seen them at Mesquite Wash, so I know they can occur in this area as migrants. On to the sparrow photos. Might just be my imagination but both photos give me an impression of juveniles as they appear to be small and not very plump. But that is by no means the true facts. I am not convinced of a Rufous-winged or a Rufous-crowned. Bill appears to be too dark and also too long for a Rufous-winged. RW's should have a short bill and they should have blackish streaks from the bill to the eye and on the malar stipe under the eye. Petersen's Guide to Western Birds mentions "double black whiskers". Habitat is not quite right for RW as well. According to eBird, there are no recordings of RW in Maricopa County and none this far north in Arizona, more of a southern AZ specialty. But I also realize birds don't read maps either. Also not convinced of a Rufous-crowned either. I think that should have a more distinct white eye ring. Quite frankly, I am not sure what it is, but if it is a juvenile, then that just makes it harder to ID. I have 4 guides and one guide specifically on sparrows, so I will continue to read up on them to see if I can get an idea.Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13931448617460317916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-5297131620490794842012-05-31T14:49:28.407-07:002012-05-31T14:49:28.407-07:00I know what you mean, there's something that f...I know what you mean, there's something that feels a little bit cheap and overbearing about feeding from hand. That being said, the birds certainly don't seem to mind, and I don't think it's really forming bad habits for them or any dependencies that don't already develop from feeders. It would be pretty cool. I have determined that I don't have the necessary patience for it, but as you said, maybe in the future...<br /><br />Good luck with the garden. Stay cool out thereLaurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-23698461425298578722012-05-31T14:46:59.202-07:002012-05-31T14:46:59.202-07:00Thanks Mia. The jury is hung on that Sparrow, but ...Thanks Mia. The jury is hung on that Sparrow, but it was still a fun challenge.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-64556603989684109802012-05-31T14:35:50.226-07:002012-05-31T14:35:50.226-07:00I've seen that!!! Part of me thinks that it&#...I've seen that!!! Part of me thinks that it's wrong to feed hummers from your hand....but honestly.....that would be really cool! Several of the hummers are very friendly with me at our gardens. In fact, we hang out together while I work outside....very dedicated and territorial birds....but there is also some intelligence there as well. It's one of my favorite things about hummers. I may try to do it down the road. Right now, I have a garden to repair and make shine...there was NADA here!! Just gravel....very little life. Today if you come on the property, it's like a party everyday! I have a lot more work to do, but I am placing a lot of butterfly and bird plants around the gardens and it's a payoff to see that they are hits with the birds. I honestly just sit behind my window somedays and watch all the birds come to visit. I wake up around 6 to hundreds of birds singing. By 9 they are off to the other feeder on the property....but it's a great way to get your day started! I also look forward to your fun this summer. I have some more birding posts coming up again.Rohrerbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136631378931478644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-57552615764305819372012-05-31T14:24:36.227-07:002012-05-31T14:24:36.227-07:00A great post & images Laurance. I hope that yo...A great post & images Laurance. I hope that you will get an ID on your sparrow, I'm afraid I am no help with it!Mia McPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01613385411156245829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-25845006516365344882012-05-31T12:14:22.507-07:002012-05-31T12:14:22.507-07:00Thanks for biting Seagull, I was hoping I'd sn...Thanks for biting Seagull, I was hoping I'd snag ya. <br /><br />What through me off about the Flycatcher was that it scared away a smaller Flycatcher that I had been thinking as Dusky-capped. That being said, going on size alone is about the worst field mark for identifying, so I'll defer to you there and do some editing.<br /><br />That Sparrow is still baffling. I'm still leaning towards Rufous-winged, though several people have said Rufous-Crowned now too. Between the two birds it seems more like a Rufous-Winged to me, even though it's not a great match for either species. I'm just glad it wasn't something totally obvious and fool-making. <br /><br />The blue birds just keep coming. Next up, Blue Jay? It'd be pretty rad to see one of those perch on a saguaro, perhaps for the first time ever.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-12254921807010929972012-05-31T10:54:16.858-07:002012-05-31T10:54:16.858-07:00Ok Laurence, I'll take the bait.
The flycatch...Ok Laurence, I'll take the bait.<br /><br />The flycatcher above looks like a Dusky-capped to me...small bill, very dark brown on the head, dark gray throat and breast, lots of yellow. I am fairly confident about this. <br /><br />The sparrow, on the other hand, is baffling...I have not seen one like it. The typical Rufous-winged is much brighter with a bicolored bill...perhaps this is a young one, in between the plumages of a streaky juvenile and a full adult?<br /><br />Congrats on lifering ANOTHER facemelting blue bird!Seagull Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851438505719552645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-42017355013676290112012-05-31T06:53:50.242-07:002012-05-31T06:53:50.242-07:00Thanks Chris. I really appreciate your comments. I...Thanks Chris. I really appreciate your comments. I wouldn’t be nearly as diligent (not that I am that diligent anyway) with my posts if I didn’t have great folks reading them.<br /><br />I’ve heard about all that awesome stuff down in Miller Canyon. I’d definitely be down there if I were in town. Good luck with those pursuits. Trogon is still at the top of my list, and any of those southeast AZ hummingbirds would be a sweet bonus.<br /><br />I’m feeling the same exhilaration as you Chris, in that we now finally have some open weeks, even months, ahead of us. As you said, can’t neglect other duties and loves, but man it’s a great feeling. I’m looking forward to your Wisconsin posts, and I know the frustration with those feeders, especially when the woodpeckers just force their way in (in my experiences it’s been Flickers). I do not know much about feeders, namely if there are some other hummer feeders that are woodpecker-proof. At least they don’t attract squirrels too.<br /><br />Have you tried feeding hummingbirds by hand? Apparently with a little bit of dye (red works best) and some patience, you can sit in your hard, hands cupping the nectar, and they’ll come to you.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-5977943851322681022012-05-30T21:58:17.658-07:002012-05-30T21:58:17.658-07:00Have I told you that you are a great writer?! You...Have I told you that you are a great writer?! Your pics and stories are top notch. Yes.....oh yes....the "Brown Jobs" really drive me nuts. The sparrows especially. This summer I'm going to a lecture on these birds. Before birding, I had no idea that there were so many of them around....out in the field, I'd see a variation of one....and then I'd head to an expert who would then explain that's the Shatner Sparrow...note the hair piece on top. What??!!!! I'm learning. Great spotting of the owlets. That's pretty cool stuff right there. The Indigo Bunting is spotted often here in this area. Nice post. <br /><br />Several personal notes. We just finished up here today. I celebrate tonight by cleaning up my garden. Tomorrow, I have a conference in the morning and then I'm off to bird for the first time since last week. And I plan on doing it everyday until I have to go back to work again!! I'm going to try and make it down to Miller Canyon in the Huachucas. 3 different hummers, an owl, elegant trogon have been spotted and I'm on the hunt! I'm going to kick off the vacation with a bang...<br /><br />And lastly, my gods has the hummingbird feeder been exhausting! That's all I do now....make hummer juice in the kitchen and fill that sucker up every couple of days! Between the woodpecker, verdin, finches, doves and hummers, I'm feeling a little abused. The Verdins are no problem but the Gila just swings that sucker and drinks! We have two feeders and one takes longer to empty. My last remaining Grandparent makes hummingbird juice a little higher in sugar content and swears by it....but she also makes her Bloody Marys mostly vodka....so it makes sense. She's up in Wisconsin and has the magic touch with the hummers...the Ruby Throated. In a village of about 500, she's the talk of the town with her hummer whispering:) I think she's spiking the punch:) Enjoy the end of the week. I'm really excited for both of us. This summer is going to be a birder's paradise. But we still need to get chores done or our spouses will kick us out of the house!:)Rohrerbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136631378931478644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-19912819795720999642012-05-30T19:00:55.744-07:002012-05-30T19:00:55.744-07:00Nicholas, I appreciate you taking this great task ...Nicholas, I appreciate you taking this great task upon yourself. From what I've read, the last man who tried to become a Sparrow expert went mad and ate his own ears only 7 months into the year-long undertaking. I wish you all the luck and a pair of protective earmuffs. <br /><br />I'm sure I'll have many more problems for you to solve by year's end. For this tricky guy, I believe it is a Rufous-winged Sparrow. I was skeptical of this diagnosis at first, but none of the other alternatives would be any more likely, and visually make less sense. <br /><br />Thanks nonetheless. Let me know if you have any epiphanies!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-89842665789680294112012-05-30T18:27:32.945-07:002012-05-30T18:27:32.945-07:00Early in the year I declared that this would be my...Early in the year I declared that this would be my Year of the Sparrow, after which I would be full to the brim with sparrow expertise, obnoxiously and condescendingly dropping sparrow knowledge on the unsuspecting masses. This has not yet come to fruition. Run those photos by me again on December 31!Nicholas Martenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430793036041198643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-47700736920864743722012-05-30T17:28:02.566-07:002012-05-30T17:28:02.566-07:00Thanks dAwN. If you're ever in Phoenix, it'...Thanks dAwN. If you're ever in Phoenix, it's definitely a great place to bird. Of course, I don't know if Tres Rios itself merits a trip down, but hey maybe as a stop on your way to southeast AZ? Thanks for stopping by and commenting.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-12081715945774870582012-05-30T13:25:45.482-07:002012-05-30T13:25:45.482-07:00Wow..what a great place to bird. Super shots! Will...Wow..what a great place to bird. Super shots! Will have to put that on our list of places to visit.Dawn Finehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08320576787003821586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-70435058170535747222012-05-30T11:06:49.669-07:002012-05-30T11:06:49.669-07:00Thanks Jen. When that Owl grows up...I might have ...Thanks Jen. When that Owl grows up...I might have to start looking for a new birding spot.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-19039722541984357682012-05-30T10:44:21.464-07:002012-05-30T10:44:21.464-07:00I agree Cynthia! Burrower's Row is right next ...I agree Cynthia! Burrower's Row is right next to Tres Rios too. I've never left with site with less than 50 species seen, even as it's begun to heat up. You'll have to let me know next time you're in Phoenix with a little bird-time : )Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-10281428152522900002012-05-30T08:44:38.186-07:002012-05-30T08:44:38.186-07:00Pygmy Ostrich! Love it! Congrats on the bunting- ...Pygmy Ostrich! Love it! Congrats on the bunting- that is one awesome bird. I would not trust that serial killer owl child. It's like chucky meets the joker meets an adorable owl. Pure horror.Jen Sanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08932953314258705622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791077723521794200.post-71324751701396757102012-05-30T08:41:33.843-07:002012-05-30T08:41:33.843-07:00I just HAVE to visit Tres Rios - what a wonderful ...I just HAVE to visit Tres Rios - what a wonderful assortment. Visited Gilbert Water Ranch 4/1/11 and had a great time and got wonderful images, even thought it did hit 100 that day:)Cynthia Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12347423908653729922noreply@blogger.com