Trip to Tucson

We have been remodeling a bit and moving rooms around in our house. This means everything that was in the office, (computer, desks, pens, paper and more), is now in the new "office", and the old office is now a guest bedroom. We literally moved everything from room to room with a stop in the living room or patio along the way. This has taken some time, but it is finally starting to shape up, with the exception of several boxes still in the living room.

A positive side to this is we have been able to find and look through old photos, crafts and schoolwork the kids did through the years, and other fond memories. One of the things I was able to find and have fond memories of is our trip to Tucson, Arizona.

Friends of ours live there and we went to visit them. Tucson is a growing place, that still has deep roots to the wild west. They market it shamelessly, and many still live the cowboy lifestyle. While parts are growing with supermarkets and shopping centers, new roads and Starbuck's popping up like saguaro cactus, there is still plenty of wide open spaces. Lots of wildlife, too.

Our friends live on a nice golf course in a very nice housing development. Around them is a wash that works as a kind of hazard for golfers and pathway for wildlife such as bobcats, javelina, snakes, lizards and birds. Their younger children and I hit it off when we walked around and found the largest horned toad I have ever seen, and we were able to capture it. Then it was a variety of lizards, and some huge toads that came out in the evening. They would literally make a loud booming noise by jumping into the aluminum garage door. We went to investigate the noise and saw several two or three pounders jumping into the door. It was suggested they were knocking for the bottled water stored in the garage, but I am doubtful.

Southeast Arizona, is a wonderful place to bird as well. The greatest numbers of hummingbirds in the U.S. appear in this area. Also, the Trogons, both the Eared and Elegant, appear in this area. Also Cardinals and their cousin the Pyrruloxia. I was determined to find one of these, if not all. My wife, a determined non-birder, agreed to accompany me on an outing or two to find such creatures.

So it was that we found ourselves with several of our friends kids, in our friends car,(an SUV to hold all the people), driving to see some of the tourist spots like Tombstone and the western town they filmed the movie Tombstone in, as well as many other westerns. This was where I found myself feeling very old. None of the children we took with us had any idea who John Wayne was. Nor did they really care. While this was near sacrilege to me, I swallowed my pride and we ended up having a wonderful day enjoying the live skits that the kids were able to participate in, and the gunfight shows and and stunt shows. The kids had a good time even though they still don't know who John Wayne was.


After our day in the wild west, where it was overcast and slightly breezy, a nice cool day for the desert, we started for home. I had my binoculars and camera case at my feet in the passenger seat,(my wife drives when we go anywhere together, once or twice nearly running off the roadway trying to get a better look at a bird convinced her this was safest). Then, as we passed through a portion of Saguaro National Forest, I saw it.

I began to shout for Andi to "stop, stop" and quickly began putting the telephoto lens on my camera. She was confused and considering traffic and a narrow two lane roadway we were on, with a narrow shoulder, she was near panic. She couldn't see any danger approaching, and had no idea why I was shouting for her to stop. I was too busy getting my gear and opening the door to an unfamiliar vehicle in order to explain. By now the kids were surprised and shouting their queries, adding to the confusion.

Andi found a wider spot off the roadway and skidded to a stop. Before the SUV had completed its' stop I had the door open and in a fluid motion that would make a Navy Seal proud was out of the truck and running back to where I saw it. The kids were staring and asking my wife where I was going and what was happening. Due to traffic concerns Andi drove down the road some ways before she was able to turn around and come back to an actual pullout nearby. I had by then wandered into the desert and snapped a couple photos of my prize. A pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalus sinuatus) sitting on top of a saguaro cactus. Ooooh! (It was a lifer!).

I have gotten into the habit some years ago of taking pictures of my targets as I approach guaranteeing I have at least one photo, albeit small, of my prey before it flees. I used this tactic in this instance as well, and kept trying to get closer to snap an even better picture. I have stacks of pictures, (now that we are digital, megabytes of pixels), of green or tan backgrounds with a dot in the middle, that I usually can tell you what it is, but most have no idea.

At any rate, by the time the kids had disembarked and caught up with me, the little bird had flown. I had my prize though and showed them on the little screen of my camera. They were not impressed. We spent some time chasing lizards and snakes, and I saw my pyrrhuloxia a couple more times as it flashed through a ravine, or from cactus to cactus. I marked it as a successful stop when we returned to Andi and the SUV.

Andi, on the other hand, was still a little shaken from the ordeal and we had a discussion of giving warnings and explanations before we allow the adrenaline rush to take over.

Back at the house we were able to use this magnificent digital technology to put my pyrrhuloxia on their big screen t.v. and then Andi was able to see my excitement. She is still a determined non-birder, but she is understanding. It was a fun story to tell those who were left behind, kind of like a Lucy episode.


This is the first view I had of the pyrrhuloxia, a sentinel sitting on its' perch.


This is the closest shot I got of the little bird. As I hope you can tell it is similar in size and shape to a Northern Cardinal, but is mostly gray with highlights of red, and the one feather sticking up like Alfalfa's cowlick.

So, you might be a birdnerd if...you frighten the passengers in your car by shouting to stop to see a life-bird.

One of my favorite locations

One of my favorite local spots is Little Morongo, or Covington Park in the high desert region near my home in Palm Springs. It is a short drive, but a very different ecological area. Many more and diverse birds than those in my low-desert area.

If you live in the desert, an important consideration is it is also somewhat cooler. It actually gets snow in the winter. This is especially important in the later spring and summer months. It is still warm, but it is always at least ten degrees cooler than Palm Springs, which is around sea level or below. For those uninitiated, Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley truly does get to one-hundred twenty degrees or higher during the peak of the summer months. We regularly count 100 days of over 100 degrees. So, ten degrees can become important.

Morongo is a favorite of mine for several reasons, one already stated, it is close. It is also inhabited by very nice and knowledgeable people, Dee Zeller and his lovely wife who maintain the park and host regular walks and talks. They live on property most of the year and keep several bird feeders full hosting a variety of hummingbirds, goldfinches, towhees and sparrows up close and personal. They have the feeders hanging on a line, and labeled with a number so they can call out the bird at the specific feeder for easier identification.

Also, every Wednesday, bright and early, there is a group of people who meet and walk the park and keep a running list of the birds seen. Mike Smiley is usually there, and usually sees the most birds, aided by almost superhuman farsight. There have been several times I have marveled at at the clear blue sky, when he called out an eagle or something similar. I put the bino's to my eyes and search thinking "No way." until there they show up, a black dot with wings in my bino's and he saw them with the naked eye.

Margaret usually shows up at these walks wearing her famous hat to keep her safe from the sun, and a couple peanuts in her pocket for the Western Scrub Jay, (Aphelocoma californica). She walks to a certain point in the trail, holds the peanut and one or sometimes two Jays will swoop in and snatch the peanut from her fingers. Many times they are waiting on the fencepost for her to offer the breakfast.

There are several others with varying degrees of expertise in birds, birding, photography, biology, and ecology. There is a lot of sharing of information, many questions from those of us novices who have squeezed out some time to try to learn something new and different. Dee, Mike and Margaret never disappoint, and always feed me with new information every time I sneak up there.

Dee, for example, showed me a good way to tell the difference between the Coopers Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), and the Sharp-Shinned Hawk, (Accipiter striatus). They both are regulars at the park, and have nested there several years. He told me the Coopers will have a slightly more rounded tail than the Sharp-shinned. Now there are other differences, such as the Coopers is bigger, but when you only see one in flight, is it a foot long or closer to a foot and a half? The markings are similar, and when side by side, like they can sometimes be at Morongo, there are differences such as the dark "cap" on the Coopers is farther forward, but again, one at a time and this identification can become difficult. So, the tail being rounded, or in the shape of a "c" helps me to remember Coopers, straight across and that is a Sharpy.

Also, the wildlife draws me to the park. This is a place I take friends and family to show off all the desert has to offer. We tend to drive through various shades of brown flora and earth to get there, so it is quite a surprise to pull into the pathway to be shaded by large cottonwoods and pines. Then we get out and begin looking around and the creatures that start to move around you is exhilarating.

Last year, my son, Austin, brought a friend with him to stay with us. He wanted to take him hiking so we decided on Morongo one day. This turned out to be a very good day, and his friend left knowing without a doubt that I was a bird-nerd.

The friend expected, like many people, that we would strap on our water bottles and walk at a brisk pace for a set of miles, or to a location. There we would see the scenery, congratulate ourselves on a good hike, and return. We would return a little tired, hot and sweaty but content we had our exercise for the day. That is not exactly how my sons and I hike.

We usually have a goal of what we would like to see on our hike, not how far we would like to hike. We may take hours to go a mile and half, or walk all day seeing what is over the next hill. My oldest son, Taylor is fascinated by plants and flowers and their interaction with other living creatures, so we walk for a few feet and he is off the trail smelling some plant, caressing a leaf, or trying to see what kind of flower he has found. A few feet more and I am off looking at something that flitted into a bush, or called from the nearby tree. Then Austin usually finds something unusual, like a bobcat or bighorn sheep. So, our hikes are unpredictable in their duration, physical exertion, and information.

On this particular day, we had a good amount of walking, and some great finds. Little Morongo has a regular visitor called the Vermilion Flycatcher, (Pyrocephalus rubinus). For those that have not seen one, they are spectacular. Again, I live in the desert where the color variations of just about everything is shades of brown. The Vermilion is brilliantly red. Nearly the entire body is bright red. They nest most years at Little Morongo, usually in and around the trees near the tennis courts of Covington Park. If you are like me, you will go in the spring, and look hard until you see one, and then kick yourself because the doggone thing is so bright you wonder how you missed it. It is a beautiful bird and we found one on this day. (I am adding a picture that is a little blurry,
but I think you get the idea of how brilliant this little bird is).

Later, we walk out into a field and see a couple trees that are filled with Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) sunning themselves. It was morning so the sun was not at its strongest and they were waiting for the thermals to build sufficiently to support soaring. They sat with their wings outstretched soaking in the sun, and testing the wind. Then one decided to test it and found a thermal and began soaring in circles from the top of the trees up into the sky. Once one took off, the others launched themselves at various times and soon there was ten or twenty circling and rising with the heated air. As we watched, the kettle of vultures created a living diagram of the dimensions and shape of the thermal, by soaring to the edges of the upward flowing air then circling within the updraft. When the updraft wriggled and contorted into a different shape, so did the shape of the group of birds. This was pointed out and predicted by one of the people on the walk and some interesting discussion took place. Shared learning. What a concept.

So, my sons friend was subjected to us oohing and aaahing at some pretty ugly birds as we watched them do their thing. Then we found a Great Horned Owl(Bubo virginianus) on a nest, and that was an adrenaline rush for us. The group was walking and Dee mentioned he had seen a Great Horned spending a lot of time near a certain tree, so the group moved in that direction like a covey of quail, and made gasping noises while each took turns looking through scopes and binoculars at the owl who was scowling down at us.

When we had a lengthy list of birds seen, some photos taken, and plenty of use of a spotting scope or two, we headed back to the Zeller camp. There someone asked if we had seen the nesting Long-Eared Owl (Asio otus). We hadn't so off we went, and sure enough found it too.





So, the last reason I like going to Little Morongo is that after this group walks around and discusses, spots, interacts with birds and other wildlife, they go to breakfast. So, we joined them at a little cafe, and had a nice breakfast and catching up on all sorts of news. I got to introduce my son and his friend, which is always a fun thing to do, as it embarrasses my son immensely.

On that day we "hiked" for several hours, saw lots of cool birds, saw nests, raccoon tracks, had a good breakfast, and bonded. I had a great time. My son's friend said he did too, however, we have not seen him since.

You might be a birdnerd if...you seem like a nutty professor to acquaintances, and you never see them again.

Interesting side note to this story...Austin is in the Peace Corps now, and recently helped to train Jamaicans in the Ecotourism activity of birding. He helped show them what kinds of birds were there in Jamaica, and what tourists would most likely want to see. He has some familiarity in this field and did well. I have little nerds all over the world and couldn't be prouder.

Birding Rules

I promise I will get to actual outtings and posting of pictures and sharing stories of getting out there and finding birds. As discussed in the first blog, other responsibilities have kept me from getting out there during the past couple weeks. We have suffered the loss of my wife's mother, who passed almost exactly one week ago. She passed with all her children, (save one), at her bedside and after having the best of care from some wonderful people. She was 88 and will be sorely missed.

So, an event of this size took precedence over all other activities and everything else was put on the "back burner", understandably. There are no hard feelings, just an explanation. Birding is fun, but we would all prefer to share with Grandma.

At any rate, it occurred to me that we needed to share some of the ground rules for birding before we run willy-nilly into the wild looking for flying creatures. The American Birding Association has published a set of rules for birding that all birders should make every attempt at following. They are designed for the benefits of all birders, and more importantly for the birds themselves. If we all followed these rules, then there would be more birds around for all of us to enjoy. If the estimates are correct, that is between 48 and 80 million birders out looking for their feathered friends. If we stress the birds or confuse them and they decide to leave, we may have several million people very angry with us.

So, I have printed below the actual American Birding Association Code of Ethics,that describes the do's and don'ts of birding in North America.


Code of Birding Ethics
1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.

1(a) Support the protection of important bird habitat.

1(b) To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming.

Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare in your local area;

Keep well back from nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display areas, and important feeding sites. In such sensitive areas, if there is a need for extended observation, photography, filming, or recording, try to use a blind or hide, and take advantage of natural cover.

Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, especially for close-ups.

1(c) Before advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people in the area, and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance minimized, and permission has been obtained from private land-owners. The sites of rare nesting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation authorities.

1(d) Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum.

2. Respect the law, and the rights of others.

2(a) Do not enter private property without the owner's explicit permission.

2(b) Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and public areas, both at home and abroad.

2(c) Practice common courtesy in contacts with other people. Your exemplary behavior will generate goodwill with birders and non-birders alike.

3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial bird environments are safe.

3(a) Keep dispensers, water, and food clean, and free of decay or disease. It is important to feed birds continually during harsh weather.

3(b) Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.

3(c) If you are attracting birds to an area, ensure the birds are not exposed to predation from cats and other domestic animals, or dangers posed by artificial hazards.

4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care.

Each individual in the group, in addition to the obligations spelled out in Items #1 and #2, has responsibilities as a Group Member.

4(a) Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders, as well as people participating in other legitimate outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and experience, except where code 1(c) applies. Be especially helpful to beginning birders.

4(b) If you witness unethical birding behavior, assess the situation, and intervene if you think it prudent. When interceding, inform the person(s) of the inappropriate action, and attempt, within reason, to have it stopped. If the behavior continues, document it, and notify appropriate individuals or organizations.

Group Leader Responsibilities [amateur and professional trips and tours].

4(c) Be an exemplary ethical role model for the group. Teach through word and example.

4(d) Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the environment, and does not interfere with others using the same area.

4(e) Ensure everyone in the group knows of and practices this code.

4(f) Learn and inform the group of any special circumstances applicable to the areas being visited (e.g. no tape recorders allowed).

4(g) Acknowledge that professional tour companies bear a special responsibility to place the welfare of birds and the benefits of public knowledge ahead of the company's commercial interests. Ideally, leaders should keep track of tour sightings, document unusual occurrences, and submit records to appropriate organizations.

Please Follow this Code and Distribute and Teach it to Others

The American Birding Association's Code of Birding Ethics may be freely reproduced for distribution/dissemination. Please acknowledge the role of ABA in developing and promoting this code with a link to the ABA website using the url http://www.aba.org. Thank you.

In addition to the above Code of Ethics, the ABA also has a rating system or codes you may have seen in field guides, or on pamphlets on your outtings. There are 6 codes and I will list them below for your edification:

Code 1 Includes regular breeding species and visitors. These are the more widespread and numerous varieties.

Code 2 Regular breeding species and visitors, with a restricted North American range, may occur in lower densities or are quite secretive making detection difficult.

Code 3 Rare-species occur in very low numbers, but annually, in ABA Checklist Area, includes visitors and rare breadding residents.

Code 4 Casual- not rcorded annually in ABA Checklist Area, but with 6 or more total records, including 3 or more in the past 30 years, reflecting some pattern of occurrence.

Code 5 Accidental- Species recorded 5 or fewer times in ABA Checklist Area, or fewer than 3 records in past 30 years.

Code 6 Cannot be found. Species probably or actually extinct or extirpated from ABA Checklist Area, or all survivors held in captivity.

So now, armed with the rules of birding, we can confidently go out there and conduct our business. This reminds me, one of the accepted ways of calling a bird out to see it better is to pish.

Yes, pish. For those who don't know, or are thinking of something different, this is when you make a sound like a tire leaking air with your lips. It sounds a lot like you are saying the word pish when you do this, and for some reason it seems to make the bird pop out of the bush or tree to see what the heck you are doing.

This was a source of amusement when I went on a school hike with kids, and their parents, who were non-birders, and the hike leader demonstrated pishing early one morning. So from then on, at least one of the parents greets me with; "Have you pished this morning?" This usually gets a couple heads to turn nearby, and we giggle at the shared joke and begin to talk more like adults.

So, You Might be a BirdNerd if...you actually practice "pishing" in the morning.