Happy 2024. We’ve had some cold-for-Arizona days and nights with rain. Then it cleared up for a few days but tomorrow we are heading back into a few more days of rain and cooler temps. So I’ve really not been anywhere much but the yard…and finally a few migratory birds showed up but they haven’t really stuck around long. I don’t know why they haven’t stayed longer, there is plenty of food for one and all.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Yellow-rumped Warbler, male
Orange-crowned Warbler
White-crowned Sparrow (this is an immature one but there were adults, too)
The young Cooper’s Hawk is often closeby:
You don’t want him looking at you that way!
My old standbys are around, of course:
House Sparrow, male
Northern Mockingbird
Curve-billed Thrasher
Gilded Flicker, female
But it’s a good thing that I have kitties around to amuse me and take photos of. Ferguson is the most cooperative of the bunch so here he is amusing me in various ways:
Prepping for Valentine’s Day
Getting ready to go birdwatching with me
Proving that he really is El Gato Supremo, trying to be their spokescat
Playing with his educational Christmas toy
And these 2:
Torti and Bouche whiling away a rainy day
Representing the outdoor cats in this post is Sadly, a sweet semi-feral boy with dreamy seafoam green eyes:
So I hope your 2024 is going well for all of you and that we all have a fun, glorious year ahead!
I saw a beautiful Wood Duck at a nearby park I used to frequent all the time. It’s been a few years since last seeing any. So gorgeous.
And everything else in this post is from our yard. I keep saying we have to get out in nature soon again and…we don’t. We have been busy with social engagements, though, this time of year. It’s the perfect time of year to be out in the greater Phoenix area so I hope we do that soon.
Have you ever seen anything in your life more wonderful
than the way the sun, every evening, relaxed and easy, floats toward the horizon
-Mary Oliver
Gila Woodpecker, male
The usual suspects are still around…
Gilded Flicker, male
Fiery Skipper on Lantana
And, yes, RayRay the Roadrunner is still making appearances. So exciting and strange.
Northern Mockingbird looking autumnal
American Kestrel in our pine tree
A pine tree is a fitting way to end as we head into the winter holiday season. Hope you don’t get overwhelmed with the hype…just the fun.
[Sorry if you received a previous incorrect version of this post. Something happened :(]
Yes, there are Greater Roadrunners in Arizona but I never-in-a-million-years thought we would have one take up residence in our yard, our alley, and some neighboring yards. We live in the middle of Phoenix, in a very urban area, so I was absolutely shocked to see this dude hopping around our yard one day. And that was about a month ago and we still see him/her every couple of days. Yes, he has eaten a couple birds in our yard and I thought of not feeding birds anymore but he isn’t here constantly so…so far, I’m still feeding. Roadrunners are modern day velociraptors.
We were pretty busy in October, finally getting into the swing of life again after the pandemic and other issues. We were at concerts, art openings, plays, restaurants, all sorts of things and November promises more…but I really want to get back to some serious birding…I think I am going a couple of local places this coming week. Meanwhile, our yard was pretty colorful…
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, male
Gilded Flickers, female and male (with the red stripe)
Gila Woodpecker, male…saw the female, too
Curve-billed Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Abert’s Towhee
Anna’s Hummingbird, male
And a little Halloween and Autumn fun…
And now it’s November so I need to get cracking. Hope you are enjoying Fall and getting ready for the madness of the holiday season (not looking forward to it).
Well, I’m happy to say that the 110+°s in Phoenix, Arizona, have seemed to subside for the year. We are still having days in the low 100s but the nights and early mornings are pleasant so it’s a much-needed relief from the Worst Summer Ever! And our daytime temps will be dropping into the 80s-90s in a couple days heralding the best time of the year in our area. The birds are more active and the butterflies are showing up; however, all I am really seeing are Fiery Skippers and the occasional Painted Lady or Queen. Past falls have had way more butterfly action…hope that is still to come.
I also have ZERO migratory birds in our yard this year although I’m not out there all day but I am disappointed. Still hoping for some sightings, though. Meanwhile, our resident birds are more active and looking less miserable. Here are some:
Gilded Flicker, male
Gilded Flicker, female
I get excited every time I see one of these Gilded Flickers in the yard! I think they are so beautiful and they are becoming regulars. They seem to love oranges and suet. The male (with the red stripe) shows up a little more often than the female.
And I also love when the Gila Woodpeckers show up (also orange lovers). Something about woodpeckers just fascinates me and this guy was kind enough to leave me a thank you gift. I keep hoping the Flicker will, too.
Gila Woodpecker, male
And here are a few more of the yard birds:
Curve-billed Thrasher
House Finch
Abert’s Towhee
Northern Mockingbird, immature
Verdin
Anna’s Hummingbird, male
I hope, for sure, that we get out of town and see some beautiful Arizona sights and wildlife in October! Happy Autumn!
Well, I did say in my last post that if this horrible Phoenix heat of over 110° continued, my August post might be cat-centric. So here ya go…although I do have a few birds at the end…
In May, I realized we have no idea when any of our cats were born as they have all just showed up so I decided they should have a birthday and it became May 24th!
The 3 indoor cats got a few gifts, a delicious dinner (an all-time favorite, tuna), and some treats. The outdoor cats did not really get gifts but they had the special meal and treats. The 2 neighbor cats who seem to prefer eating at our house were the guests.
Some of the fun treats; other gifts not pictured
Ferguson in birthday bandana
A good time seemed to be had by all and now they all have an official birthday! These are just the highlights, many photographs were taken to commemorate the fun.
Bouche’s curled tongue
A friend of mine is fostering a mom cat and her 3 kittens. The kittens will be going into rescue in a couple of weeks and my friend is planning to keep the mom, as soon as she tames her down a bit.
Christoff, Calvin, and Maya…so cute and playful
My yard birds have been looking a little peaked from the heat and molting and have not really been around in force but things are picking up a bit. It’s not any cooler but I guess their schedules depend on more than weather and there is always food and water available. I have yet to see any migrants but I sure hope to…some of my local birding friends have. These were all taken in August:
Female Great-tailed Grackle in birdbath
Thirsty juvenile Northern Mockingbird drinking
White-winged Dove
Pensive male House Finch swinging
“Pssst, wanna see my spot?” Male Gila Woodpecker
And my most exciting visitor, who I now see most days, looking for oranges…
Gilded Flicker, male
And here’s a little Photoshop cheat. I took this photo of yellow aloe in my yard this summer and waited for the perfect shot of a hummingbird sipping its nectar. Never quite happened so here is a female Broad-billed Hummingbird I saw in southern AZ a few years ago filling in…
Broad-billed Hummingbird, female, on yellow aloe
Hoping for some cooler days, fun adventures, and exciting birds ahead…but that may not be for awhile here…enjoy your summer! I’d love to see your cats, other pets, backyard wildlife, and summer fun, too.
Glenrosa Journeys 