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?