Hot time in cool Arizona

Invariably, when I prepare for my annual trek to SE Arizona in early August, people always question my sanity with comments like, "You're going to Arizona at this time of year?!?..." The reality of the situation is that the temperatures in the AZ canyons are actually quite comfortable. When you add the comparative lack of humidity, being outside in the AZ mountains is far more enjoyable than it is here in Florida in summer.

Cactus Wren fluffed up to dry following an afternoon shower

Monsoon rains fall nearly every afternoon keeping temps more mild and offering moisture to the many plants that bloom at this time of year. It is very much like spring in other parts of the country with birds singing and defending territories as the lush green vegetation comes into its own. This is a great time to see and identify the otherwise skulky Aimophila sparrows (for example) like the very similar Botteri's and Cassin's Sparrows seen below.

Botteri's Sparrow singing its repetitive segmented song

digiscoped 8/07 with Leica APO Televid scope and C-Lux 2 camera

Cassin's Sparrow digiscoped 8/07 with Leica APO Televid scope and C-Lux 2 camera

These two similar species are typically difficult to see and even harder to identify visually. However, after the monsoon rains they are often seen and heard side by side. These two were both teed up in the same field singing their hearts out. The Botteri's repetitive disyllabic phrases are dramatically different from the Cassin's sombre tune! I had good views of both Rufous-winged and Rufous-crowned Sparrows on the trip as well.

Black-throated Sparrow sings heartily from a roadside barbed wire fence

No matter where you looked, signs of breeding behavior were evident. The Black-throated Sparrow above was joined in song by Bell's Vireo and a Varied Bunting among others. The Vireo showed itself in pieces remaining hidden in the dense scrub, but the Varied Bunting offered one of the best views I've ever had of this species.

Varied Bunting male sings from barbed wire, AZ 08/07

digiscoped 8/07 with Leica APO Televid scope and C-Lux 2 camera

At first he sat on the barbed wire which surrounded this marvelous little roadside draw, but eventually he jumped to a nearby bush and sang away!

Varied Bunting male sings after an afternoon shower, AZ 08/07

I was completely amazed at the range of purple and blue hues and the red on the back of the head and around the eye! I'd seen this species dozens of times in the past but never quite like this.

male Varied Bunting digiscoped 08/05/07 Arizona

Painted Redstarts are not an uncommon sight in this part of the US, but it is always a great stroke of luck when one sits still long enough for you to capture a digiscoped image!

Painted Redstart over trail in Miller Canyon

I couldn't believe my good fortune, as I snapped images of the bird abovewhich just sat and "Tsillup"ed at me... it all made sense though when a second adult showed up.

adult Painted Redstart digiscoped with mouth full o' bugs!

When this second adult showed with a bill stuffed with bugs, I quickly realized why the first adult was so persistent. They obviously had a nest or chicks nearby so I backed off and watched the adult with the bugs. Within a few moments of my retreat, the bird dropped down and disappeared into the cut bank rising from the canyon trail. After it flew off in search of more food I backtracked down the trail and was amazed at what I'd just walked by.

Painted Redstart nestlings peer out of nest

Six little eyes peered out at me from a grassy cup nest, head high within arms length of the path. They were stacked like cord wood and the white wing patches were starting to show. What a magnificent sight! It's no wonder I enjoy these AZ visits so much.