In the Eye of the Pandemic Storm
May 26, 2020
The eye of a storm or hurricane is considered a calm region before the raging winds begin again. For months now, most of us under stay-at-home orders have watched, from the safety of our sofas, as the pandemic storm rages around us, upending our daily routines and how we conduct our lives. At times, the earth beneath our feet feels like it is shifting, causing us to lose our balance, sense of well-being and direction. Now that we know more about the disease and understand its transmission, complacency has settled in, like the calm within the storm's eye. This sense of security gives us the illusion that life will soon return to "normal" and that we can go back to our pre-pandemic routines. But there may be more stormy weather ahead, and nothing will be quite the same again, perhaps even for the better. I prefer having my prescriptions mailed, picking up my groceries and chatting with my doctors via the Internet!
A bright Yellow Warbler snags a tasty morning snack.
With all the changes happening around me, one thing remains constant: the birds. They are oblivious to our human condition and have carried on with their typical spring tasks of migrating, looking for mates, building nests and raising young. Watching these little objects of light and color brings some normality to my days, brightening my backyard and community parks with their beauty, songs and lively personalities.
My state's stay-at-home order fits right in with my decision last year to stick closer to home, and these days I bird almost exclusively in Verrado, the Arizona community in which I live. Snuggled into the foothills of the White Tank Mountains, there are over 20 miles of walking paths, 75 neighborhood parks and a couple of golf courses. The wide variety of habitats – from dry (and sometimes not-so-dry) washes filled with cactus and desert scrub to grassy parks with towering trees, lush vegetation and water fountains – creates a diverse environment especially attractive to migrating birds. A veritable bird smorgasbord, if you will.
Lost Creek wash in Verrado.
This year's abundant winter rains resulted in a riot of color from yellow Acacias and Palo Verdes to pink Desert Willows and Desert Ironwood and purple Jacaranda, all standing in a carpet of greenery dotted with Brittlebush, Fairy Duster and other wildflowers. These colors and the sweet nectar of blooms have drawn more insects than I remember, which means more insect-eating birds.
Acres of flowering trees, cacti and wildflowers in what is usually a dry wash have attracted plenty of insects, colorful butterflies and seed- and insect-eating birds, like this Ash-throated Flycatcher who just nabbed himself lunch.
Birding exclusively in one area may seem redundant - boring even - to some. Still, for me, each day holds the chance to observe the commonplace or the possibility of something new: an Anna's Hummingbird collecting spider webs to finish her nest, a Cassin's Vireo singing from the top of a tree, a bright Wilson's Warbler darting through tree limbs or a lemon yellow Western Kingbird twittering atop palm trees. These are the things that bring joy and hope to my life and uplift my spirits.
I love to hear the Western Kingbirds chatter and squeak as they chase each other through the tops of the palm trees. Click below to hear them.
Birding close to home allows me to get to know the birds that call Verrado home and those who have stopped by briefly to stock up on food before continuing on their journey or raising young. I've enjoyed watching several Anna's Hummingbirds build nests and hatch chicks and a Costa's Hummingbird pair feed their fledging – so tiny! I discovered where the Hooded and Bullock's Orioles have made their nests and was delighted that a Western Screech-Owl came to nest in the same saguaro a pair nested last year. I found a Cooper's Hawk pair sharing the duty of sitting on a nest and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of their brood.
No matter the weather or what is happening in my life, Verrado always surprises me. Its unique habitat creates a unique environment to study, photograph and paint the beauty of our natural world.
Let me share some of the birds that have visited my 'hood this spring. Click on any image to start the slide show.
