Thursday, April 3, 2014

Birds and Blooms and Birds on Blooms

Even though we had no winter this year (temps in the 80s through February), it's clearly spring time. This is not something I can tell from the position of the sun in the sky nor exclusively from the fact that now driving to work is no longer done in the dark, with with the sun directly in my eyes (not sure which is better). Everything is starting to bloom now, and even in a place not necessarily known for its colorful fauna, that indicator holds true in Phoenix just as well as anywhere else. The mesquites and palo verde are bursting with their dainty yellow flowers, while all the century plant and aloe groups are shooting up stalks (those that flower annually) with a quaint resemblance to tiny bananas. 


The cactus are all getting their bloom on as well, much to the delight of everything that eats them.


The ground has finally thawed enough that rodents are exiting their winter hibernation and shedding their thick winter coats, changing from their white robes into more appropriate desert brown.


Another strong indicator is that all the Phoenix residents are nesting. Hummingbirds are courting, Mourning Doves, Curve-billed Thrashers, and Cactus Wrens all have raucous chicks in their prickly fortresses, and Abert's Towhee juveniles are already bumbling around, bad at everything.
Despite all that change and twitterpation, some species re carrying on much the same as they always have. Verdin are constantly foraging and building nests, which they seems to do through winter, spring, summer, and sometimes fall just to be sure. There is no big they won't chase and no position too awkward for them to hold in their pursuit.



While the eastern half of the nation mobilizes with its 'nocs and Bengay for some outrageous Warbler migrations, Phoenicians will have to content themselves with Verdin antics and the occasional Townsend's or Hermit interloper. Yeah there are Orange-crowns too but who cares, and has anyone ever actually seen a MacGillivray's?


Anyway, it's a good time to be in the valley, even if we're relatively less spoiled for the birdies right now. Besides, I'm still on Gray Vireo detail this weekend. Warblers can wait.

P.S. Check, out how many bugs are on this plant. In addition to the Verdin's overflowing maw, there are ants and gnats all over the upper stems. Tis' bountiful.

10 comments:

  1. The sunshinyness in your pics and your Verdin crush make me sick. Currently in the middle of a 10 in. blizzard right now.

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    1. What!? Did Minnesota get the memo that it's April?

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    2. Apparently not. I'm going looking for Snowy Owl nests pretty soon.

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    3. Hey why not! Turn up some more sweet Sparrows while you're out.
      I bet you'll get 5 Long-eared Owls too. That's how it goes.

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  2. Sweet shots! I so need to get back out west again....

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    1. We should make a week-long state swap program, like trading time shares : )

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  3. And here we are back east excited that the ice has finally melted off our ponds and lakes; and that the primary form of precipitation is no longer snow. Lucky duck, you, nesting birds! We have birding spots that have no ebird visits for the year and the Redwings are still some of our most exciting migrants to reach our shores.

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    1. I'm excited for you too Kathleen. Warblers are inbound!

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  4. Man, that little guy is just standing in his own salad bar, huh... Awesome shots.

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    Replies
    1. Yes. Gluttony is not a vice for birds, or at least not a cause of guilt.

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