Feathers in my Cap

Bird watching was another entertainment I pursued on our recent road trip,   I documented and added  twenty-one new sightings to my 'Life List."  I also saw many familiar birds along the way.
A Western Kingbird in Eastern Oregon.

 
I've seen many  Kingbirds during my bird watching excursions....but never so many at once.  We stopped at a rest stop where the trees were full of them and the yellow feathers were especially vibrant.  ♪♫♪♫♪♫  "Yellow bird, high up in banana tree..."  ♪♫♪♫♪♫



A first sighting!   Rock Wren on Antelope Island, The Great Salt Lake.
I yearn to return  ---  with insect repellent.  Antelope Island is a sanctuary where, during migration, birds find plenty of flying insects to fulfill their energy requirements for the rest of their journey.  In the meantime, those pesky bugs thought I was on the menu.  Pamela Cream Pie.



Another first!  Broad-tailed Hummingbird.  Flagstaff, Arizona.

They were buzzing around so fast that I was hard pressed to get a photo that wasn't blurry.  Hope you can pick him out right there in the center.  We were informed that the nights had been so cool that the hummingbirds were just returning.  The next day a  wild fire  (perhaps the one we had observed from Grand Canyon National Park) forced evacuation of parts of the city.  I hope this little jet fighter and his buddies found someplace safe to hide.


An Eagle Owl?

While attending Tsunami on the Square  (don't know why it was called that) in downtown Prescott, AZ we encountered a man carrying this fine owl specimen.  It's eyes, ears, and beak gave it a very fierce appearance.  I believe it is a native of central Asia.  I don't count birds in captivity on my list.



A Broad-billed Hummingbird.  Tucson, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, world-renowned zoo, natural history museum, and botanical garden



 Another one I can't count on my life list, but I sure can take a photograph and post it on my blog.  This small thumb-sized bird was defending a nectar feeder.  Although there were many buzzing freely in the hummingbird aviary, there were only six species represented.  I sat down and waited for one to take a breather.  Waiting in the heat for this stolen moment was worth it!   He was all ruffled up and ready to rumble.


 My first Cactus Wren.  Tucson Arizona

These wrens were everywhere; especially visible on the saguaro cactus  It may have been eating the red juicy pulp of the cactus fruit as well as insects.



Sky Bird, somewhere in Nevada.

WR tells me that I have too much imagination.  I swear I see a beak and tail feathers through our dirty windshield. 

Did I ever mention that I love birds?



Comments

Hayden said…
Hah! I saw your birdie cloud too - instantly.

Very cool photos Pamela. Very cool.
Anonymous said…
Did I ever mention that I love that you love birds...this is such a lovely post and pics to boot.. Shelby dupree
Coffeypot said…
They've come a long way from their dinosaur days.
Anonymous said…
It totally looks like a bird to me, too.
Kila said…
Yes, I see the bird in the clouds. Great photos, I'll have to show these to my bird-watching friend.
Karmyn R said…
I finally read through all the posts - yes, I saw the salmon too.

What a lucky puppy to have been found by that family! Makes me think about those 2 pups I saw in Alabama in the middle of nowhere.....
I see the sky bird very well. That is something I still do, make pics of something out of the clouds. We did that a lot as kids.
Thanks for visiting my blog, and now that I'm back after a week plus off taking care of kids and grandkids/company, I've got a lot of reading of friends blogs to catch up on. Hope you had a great weekend, jo
dawn said…
I too see the sky bird. That is a great array of birds you spotted and awesome photos. I find birds rather fascinating myself and occasionally get a photo too.
Gattina said…
I have never seen a Hummingbird outside a zoo ! and we spent a night in Flagstaff, but they probably weren't there that day. The owl has the same look as my cat Rosie when she is offended. I am not allowed to love birds, my cats wouldn't appreciate, lol !
Jan n Jer said…
Hmmmm...I get the feeling you love birds Pamela!! Those are great shots. I love birds too, but can never identify them. Even though I have a bird book..gee...maybe I should look in it!!!
Jan n Jer said…
I forgot...I see the sky bird also.
Kelly Curtis said…
I see it too!! My goodness you've been traveling! Gorgeous pics.
Melissa B. said…
I've never been able to get so close to a hummingbird. Outstanding shot! We're getting quite a few at the feeder this summer, though...
Ah yes I see the bird in the clouds! That Broad billed Hummer is something else! It was a good trip for you to see so many lifers..21 that is a bunch!
Antelope Island..how was the smell? The last time I was there is was fairly smelly..and yes buggy too, lots of what I would call fish flies.
I see you have a new addition to your side bar..I am glad it worked out! :)
Kim said…
Lovely, fantastic, gorgeous pictures! I love birds, too. It's wonderful to see your pictures. That little hummer is darling. And I saw that birdie cloud right away, too. Yep. He's there.
Intense Guy said…
Wow! Look at that Albino Road Runner in the sky!!

:) You got some really excellent shots - I've never even knew Broad-billed Hummingbirds existed - and so beatutiful!

You say 21 *new* birds to your list - how many do you have now, total?

I shouldn't have counted "birds in captivity" on my list I guess - but I did, so there's no way without a whole lot of time and thinking I can determine which were captives.

Hopefully you are keeping a 2nd list for those birds?
Living Life said…
Those are great photos of all the birds Pamela! I especially love the hummingbird photo, even if it was in captivity. It is an excellent photo. I love owls too. We hear one in our tall trees at night, but I have yet to see him/her. I see your cloud bird. It looks almost like a cardinal to me.
JoeinVegas said…
Lots of new birds on one trip
willowtree said…
Looks like you've had a good birding day!
Unknown said…
I wish I could have been with you! Wow, you saw many birds I've never seen! And I LOVE Flagstaff, one of my favorite places on earth!
Susie said…
How fun to "collect" all these birds. I really like that rumbled up hummingbird you waited for.
Peter said…
I hope you are keeping a sub-list of the birds you see in captivity.

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