Another epic post from A-S NF back in August. And even if a bit blurry, can’t help but lead off with this lovely shot:
Shot above + following shots probably all Broad-tailed Hummingbird:
More hummingbird:
Still more hummingbird:
Several particularly-nice HIF shots:
Too many hummingbirds!
Set out to capture some nice ‘feather pop’ on an in-flight male Rufous Hummingbird. Mission: FAIL. Came close with this shot, but still blurry even with AI sharpening:
OTOH, it’s a beautiful bird + decent ‘perched’ shots (see below) = win.
Location: central-eastern Arizona, August 2023.
From a few weeks ago in Apache–Sitgreaves National Forest, outside Pinetop/Lakeside, AZ @ White Mtns/Mogollon Rim area.
First up, beautiful Mountain Chickadee:
Following hummingbirds mostly Broad-tailed Hummingbird. (For a couple, could be female Rufous Hummingbird.) Some shots somewhat grainy due to shady conditions.
[Location note: the fence/barbed wire is an artifact of cattle grazing on national forest land.]
More hummingbird:
Lots more Broad-tailed Hummingbird (male with magenta throat):
Still more hummingbird:
Coming up soon, more hummingbird in the forest!
ABA WARNING: This post contains spider-related content and is only suitable for emotionally mature individuals. Thank you for your cooperation.
It’s your friendly neighborhood spider man & BirdingPI.com’s resident/beautiful Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) @ Millcreek Twp, PA (“Gateway to Presque Isle”). [Note: species uncertain, but some sort of orbweaver.]
So cute and furry, if only he was bigger for cuddling up!
Lots and lots of Osprey activity currently at Presque Isle State Park, and so much the better for it!
As promised, Sunday at Gull Point, a bathing beauty:
Earlier, over by Marina Lake, Osprey x fish snack:
And that same day @ Long Pond:
Might have been 5-6+ Osprey on Long Pond at one time!
Finally back on Sunday, along the Gull Point Trail near where the ‘outer old’ trail meets the beach, 2x Osprey:
Back at Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, with lovely Anna’s Hummingbird x reed/cattail flower (?):
Dateline: 26-27 August 2023
Weekend plover? Plover update? Whatever the case, a beautiful weekend at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, PA. Partly sunny, warm, humid on Saturday, windy and cooler Sunday. Very subdued bird activity inland (e.g., Pine Tree Trail). With the wind, activity on Gull Point mid-morning Sunday rather sporadic – things flying in and out, relatively few shorebirds.
On the other hand, after what’s been a slow season, finally (!) had some good shorebird activity along the outer beach. Thank you, surf/wind. (“Outer beach” = beach to the east of Budny Beach up to the Gull Point ‘closed for the season’ sign/fence.) Plover, Sanderling, sandpipers, etc. – more on that later in the week. Here, a beautiful/cute/solitary Semipalmated Plover + surf/sand.
Etymological note: sem·i·pal·mat·ed. ADJECTIVE. Used in names of wading birds that have toes webbed for part of their length.
Coming up soon, bathing Osprey, a fishing Tern, hairy spider macros, and lots and lots of shorebirds! Plus more exciting hummingbird content from the team in Arizona.
After days and days of driving around Arizona, finally found the beautiful Say’s Phoebe outside Scott Reservoir, Pinetop/Lakeside, AZ. Please enjoy:
And with that, there’s nothing more to say.
It’s another hawk in a mesquite tree outside Tucson, AZ! Species TBD. BirdingPI.com’s crack team of ornithologists currently working on an ID. Perhaps Narrow-billed American Swamp Hawk.
Not Scott’s Orioles or Scott Park, rather Scott Reservoir outside Pinetop/Lakeside, AZ. Great, medium-elevation (2100 meters) spot with scrub oak, juniper, pines, open field, lake, etc.
Interesting article on the current state of Scrub Jay species delineation.
Beautiful Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) dragonfly:
ID note on Cassin’s Kingbird: very dark gray chest and head, yellow belly, and strongly-contrasting narrow white throat.
