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 the way in which we conduct our lives. At times it seems like the very earth beneath our feet is shifting, causing us to lose our balance, our sense of wellbeing, our direction. Now that we have gained more knowledge about the disease and people have a better understanding about how it is transmitted, a complacency has settled in, like the calm within the storm's eye. This sense of security gives us the illusion that life will soon be back to "normal," and that we can return to our pre-pandemic routines. But I fear there may be more stormy weather ahead and I sense that nothing will be quite the same again, perhaps even for the better. I rather like having my prescriptions mailed to me, 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 normal spring tasks of migrating, looking for mates, building nests and raising young. Watching these little objects of light and color brings some sense of normality to my days, brightening my backyard and community parks with their beauty, songs and lively personalities.
A Black-throated Gray Warbler, dressed in his best jailhouse stripes, pauses in his search for insects.
My state's stay-at-home order fits right in with my own 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 habitat – 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.
A backlit Cholla cactus aglow in the morning sun.
Our abundant winter rains this year resulted in an explosion of color: yellow Acacias and Palo Verdes, pink Desert Willows and flowering Ironwood, purple Jacaranda trees, all standing in a carpet of greenery that is dotted with Brittlebush, Fairy Duster and other wildflowers. All the colors and sweet nectar of the blooms have drawn more insects than I remember in the past and that means more insect-eating birds.
Acres of flowering trees, cactus and wildflowers in what is normally a dry wash have attracted plenty of insects, colorful butterflies and seed-eating and insect-eating birds.
Birding in one place all the time may seem redundant - boring even - to some, but for me, each day holds the chance to observe the common-place 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, 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.
Birding close to home allows me to really get to know the birds that call Verrado home, as well as those who have stopped by briefly to stock up on food before continuing on their journey, or stayed around to raise young. I've had the pleasure of 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 delighted in the fact that a Western Screech-Owl came to nest in the same saguaro where a pair nested last year. I found a Cooper's Hawk's 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 one-of-a-kind environment in which to study, photograph and paint the beauty of our natural world.
Let me share with you some of the birds that have paid a visit to my ‘hood this spring…so far! Click on any image to start the slide show. Next up: A Baby Boom in Verrado.
Orange-crowned Warblers use their sharp, fine-tipped bills to poke through leaf litter and probe bark in search of hidden prey.
Yellow-rumped Warblers are impressive in the sheer numbers with which they flood the continent each fall. Though their color palette is subdued in winter, spring molt brings a transformation, leaving them a dazzling mix of bright yellow, charcoal gray, black and bold white.
Migrating Black-throated Gray Warblers follow mountain ranges and the Pacific coastline southward. Despite these landmarks, some get lost and turn up every year in the eastern states.
Wilson’s Warblers are one of the smallest warblers in the U.S. They breed in mountains and northern forests, but pass through every state in the lower 48 during migration.
Lesser Goldfinch jabber away at the top of trees; sometimes I can hear them, but can't find them. They primarily eat seeds of plants in the sunflower family, so I often find them dining on the bright yellow Brittlebush flowers that were abundant this year.
You can't miss Mr. Hooded Oriole as he dashes from palm tree to palm tree, a flash of bright orange, black and white.
Sometimes called "palm-leaf orioles," Hooded Orioles "sew" their hanging nests onto the undersides of palm fronds. This is the Missus.
This year I finally got to see and photograph the crown of a male Ruby-crowned Kinglet. They are fast-moving little birds, keeping to the shadows and so are often difficult to photograph.
Western wood-Pewees are grayish brown flycatchers that use exposed branches as their stage, sallying back and forth while nabbing flying insects. They sit tall when perched, showing off their partially buttoned gray vest.
The Western Kingbird is one of my favorite springtime migrant. Their cheery chatter as they chase each other through the palm trees always brings a smile to my face!
The Ash-throated Flycatcher, with its pale lemon belly and cinnamon tail, is reminiscent of a desert just before sunset. Its subtle hues help it blend into its surroundings, but its loud "ka-brik" sputters out of its mouth all morning long, giving away its location.
The Black-tailed Gnatcatcher is a year-'round resident here, but I've included this picture of a male and his mate (next image) because of the gorgeous black cap he sports during breeding season.
This is a female Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. She'll stick with her mate through the years and together they protect the same patch of scrub year-round, scolding intruders with a scratchy zhee-zhee-zhee, a sound that doesn't accurately reflect the beauty of this tiny, graceful bird.
Not all birds are as appropriately names as the Warbling Vireo. The males sing a fast, up-and-down, rollicking song that suits the word “warbling.”
A Cassin's Vireo is usually heard before it's seen with its distinctive song that sounds like a question being asked, then answered. The white "spectacles" are another distinguishing field mark.
The Plumbeous Vireo sings a pleasing, burry song. During migration and the nonbreeding season, this species often joins mixed-species flocks of woodland birds.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are widespread, but we normally see them here only during migration. The low-pitched humming sound produced by their wings is quite distinctive. This is a female.
The dainty Lincoln's Sparrow looks as if it is wearing a finely tailored suit with a buffy mustach and delicate streaking down its buffy chest and sides.
A good look at a male Western Tanager is like looking at a Tequila Sunrise. His scarlet head feathers are from a rare pigment called rhodoxanthin, probably from insects in their diet.
Lewis's Woodpeckers are short-distance migrants, breeding in the higher elevations and migrating south during the winter. Several have made star appearances in Verrado the last few years, attracting birders from around the state.
A Verrado Celebrity, I discovered this White-throated Magpie-Jay about four years ago and with a little research learned he had escaped from a local zoo the year before. I've seen him year-'round in Verrado, but he is very active at this time of year when he raids the plentiful nests for eggs – a penchant he picked up while living at the zoo.
I was delighted to find a Western Screech-Owl return to the same spot where a pair nested last year.
One of our special year-'round residents, the Great Horned Owl.
10 thoughts on “In the Eye of the Storm”
Lyndie,
Not only do you take wonderful pictures, you are an exceptional writer! I loved seeing your pictures and reading every caption. I will save this email so I can use it as a reference when I get back to Verrado. We, too, have had a real crowd of interesting and beautiful birds here in Central Illilnois at our feeder and in the adjacent woods. A beautiful indigo bunting has been coming around each day as well as orioles , a barred owl, and hummingbirds. I wish I had your knowledge to tell you exactly which variety.
Have a good summer.
Barb
Thank you, Barb, for the kind words. How lucky you are to be able to enjoy our feathered friends in two beautiful locations. What I wouldn’t give to have an Indigo Bunting at my feeder! Send some pics.
Beautifully written and I loved seeing all your photos. My mother and sister, Mary Louise Rossman & Michelle Clark, have met you before and Michelle is a teacher at Verado. It is a beautiful area! You certainly have a great variety of birds to keep your eyes moving and shutter clicking. I spotted a Western Tanger in my backyard birding paradise, as I call it, and was excited all day. We are so fortunate to live in Arizona and I’m very grateful!
Julia Lehman Tucson, AZ
Thank you, Julia, for the nice comments. I remember seeing your mother and sister at Skyline Park a few years back, I believe. Mary Louise was a good friend of my mother’s and I’d often see her when my mother (who was living with us before her death) hosted bunco at our house. Please give her my regards and thank you for being a subscriber.
Beautiful shots and thoughts:) maybe more people can experience the wonder in their backyards! One doesn’t have to go far, just be aware! And be more aware, a disease of our times is indifference, whether to nature, or other human beings. Always look forward to your views and beautiful photos!
Thank you, Pamela, for the nice comments and thoughts. This pandemic has been a life-altering and eye opening event and I do hope that some of the things we’ve learned will carry on once this is all over!
I love to hear the Western Kingbirds chatter and squeak as they chase each other through the tops of the palm trees.
Lyndie,
Not only do you take wonderful pictures, you are an exceptional writer! I loved seeing your pictures and reading every caption. I will save this email so I can use it as a reference when I get back to Verrado. We, too, have had a real crowd of interesting and beautiful birds here in Central Illilnois at our feeder and in the adjacent woods. A beautiful indigo bunting has been coming around each day as well as orioles , a barred owl, and hummingbirds. I wish I had your knowledge to tell you exactly which variety.
Have a good summer.
Barb
Thank you, Barb, for the kind words. How lucky you are to be able to enjoy our feathered friends in two beautiful locations. What I wouldn’t give to have an Indigo Bunting at my feeder! Send some pics.
After looking at all of these beauties and reading your gift for writing, I want to come back as one of your birds.
Beautiful work
😂😂 that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me! Thank you, my friend.
I really enjoy your blog. I expect excellent pictures, but like someone else already stated, your commentary really compliments them.
Thank you, Shelley. It’s a labor of love.
Beautifully written and I loved seeing all your photos. My mother and sister, Mary Louise Rossman & Michelle Clark, have met you before and Michelle is a teacher at Verado. It is a beautiful area! You certainly have a great variety of birds to keep your eyes moving and shutter clicking. I spotted a Western Tanger in my backyard birding paradise, as I call it, and was excited all day. We are so fortunate to live in Arizona and I’m very grateful!
Julia Lehman Tucson, AZ
Thank you, Julia, for the nice comments. I remember seeing your mother and sister at Skyline Park a few years back, I believe. Mary Louise was a good friend of my mother’s and I’d often see her when my mother (who was living with us before her death) hosted bunco at our house. Please give her my regards and thank you for being a subscriber.
Beautiful shots and thoughts:) maybe more people can experience the wonder in their backyards! One doesn’t have to go far, just be aware! And be more aware, a disease of our times is indifference, whether to nature, or other human beings. Always look forward to your views and beautiful photos!
Thank you, Pamela, for the nice comments and thoughts. This pandemic has been a life-altering and eye opening event and I do hope that some of the things we’ve learned will carry on once this is all over!