Friday, August 16, 2013

Taking a Dip on Mt. Baldy

A couple of weeks ago I joined my expert birding buddy Tommy D up in the White Mountains for a couple days' end-of-summer bonanza. I've made many trips to the southeast corner of Arizona in the last several years, chasing after migrants and regional specialties there. The higher elevation climes of Arizona also hold some gems, birds that can't be found much elsewhere in the state, and are also a habitat I really haven't visited enough with birds in mind. It helps that the White Mountains have some of the prettiest territory in AZ, and are also a fair bit cooler in late July than Phoenix. One of my main targets for the trip was the American Dipper, one of the best named, best all round' birds in North America. 


Check out the squishy pads on this guy's feet in the above photo. America's only aquatic songbird, they spend their time foraging in mountain streams and being adorable with their stubby build, white blinky eyelids, bobbing nervousness, and peeping calls.
I first saw Dippers several years ago in Oregon, and since that delightful experience it had been one of the most coveted state birds I had yet to view and photograph.



In addition to their sticky, lobed feet, the Dippers also possess a nictitating membrane, or transparent eyelids, and they can close their nostrils while foraging for larvae on the underside of river rocks.
We watched and photographed this fella at close range in the Little Colorado River, near the base of Mt. Baldy. My favorite aspect of these birds is their direct feeding. There are many aquatic birds that bob or dive for their food, but the Dippers just walk right along the bottom of a stream, sometimes fully submerging themselves and even becoming vulnerable to salmon and other large fish.


We scrounged up and down a stretch of the Little Colorado, with light rain and soggy shore plants soaking us pretty thoroughly. Since the Dipper was one of my main photographic targets, I came prepared with water shoes, so I wouldn't be restricted to obscured shoreline views. It worked well in a sense, but good grief was that water cold!
The Dipper soon acclimated to our presence and went about its daily business--foraging, preening, and doing it's little bobbing dance.


Some people train their dogs to balance bones and treats on their nose, showing great self-control against their instincts as tasty food is suspended so near their maw.
We trained our Dipper to do it too. Pretty good trick huh?

16 comments:

  1. What a fascinating post, so full of information and stellar images. I would love to add this bird to my life list one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must Karen! HIt up the northwest rivers and they'll be bursting at the seams, err streams.

      Delete
  2. Great stuff. I spent some time walking along this fast-flowing river in April but unfortunately no sign of any dippers. Such beautiful countryside though and yes, the water was a bit nippy! Good to see you've got your photography sorted out again, although I so enjoyed your Greer post! Looks like a mayfly on the underside of the dipper's bill in your last pic. The bird does seem to be eying it up, but that could be the safest place to be for the insect. A bit like you or I hanging on to the underside of a T.rex's jaw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Duncan!

      Thanks for stopping by, and I think you're absolutely right. That Mayfly is one clever bug, having found about the only safe place or blind spot on the river. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer...

      Delete
  3. Fantastic shots of the Dipper. I just love this bird. When we moved to Colorado, we rented a house right on the Big Thompson River and I would see them all the time! I have not seen one in a while. They are so much fun to watch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A house on the Big Thompson...that's a spot to retire for sure!

      I hope you get a chance to take a Dip soon then!

      Delete
  4. Great photos of a great bird! Still need to add that one to my list. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Next summer then Gordon, to the White Mountains we go!

      Delete
  5. Definitely a great bird and so glad you found it. I need that bird is well :-) And it isn't like I haven't tried :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need to go back for Gray Jay and Dusky Grouse, so we'll all end up in the White Mountains next summer!

      Delete
  6. Laurence what a fun post to read!! I enjoyed it. The Dippin Dippy was a great bird! Because we missed those Gray Jays and Grouse, you'll have an excuse to return. And maybe well find that Short eared Owl next time roadside!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tommy, I heartily agree. See ya round' the Glendale ponds I expect, and a Short-eared Owl is on the menu for next summer.

      Delete
  7. Laurence, Chris and I went looking for this bird as well but we dipped on the dipper. It is also one of my all time favorite birds. I saw my first one ever in Pass Creek in Idaho. I had no idea what is was then and was totally amazed to find a bird that went underwater like that! I love its little bobbing dance and I so wanted to see one again but we got rained out! Oh well, I guess we will just have to enjoy your photos until we can find one for ourselves. It would be a Life Bird for Chris. I love the pics!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kathie.

      At least there's no bird more appropriate to dip on than the Dipper. I wish they weren't so far away (Greer is pushing 4 hours), but with all the rain we had up there too, I certainly didn't take the sighting and the momentary lapse in precipitation for granted.

      Next summer I shall return for Gray Jays and Grouse too. Maybe we'll meet up there!

      Delete
  8. Wow! Great photos! This would be a lifer for me, as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeedy, we're going to have many, many places to check out when you visit.
      You might have to take a week off.

      Delete