Catching Up

It’s been awhile since I last posted on my blog.  Work has been busy and I only had time for short walks here and there.  But when I was going through my photos I had taken over the past few weeks, I realized I had several that were worth posting.  Ok…let’s be honest…more than several….a bunch!

One of my hikes was up at Carlito Springs.  I hadn’t been there this year and it was just beautiful the day I visited.  Columbine Flowers were blooming near the water.  As Scarlett and I were exploring the ponds, I realized someone had put goldfish in the lowest pond.  I sat and watched them, relaxing, with Scarlett laying next to me at the water’s edge.  It was fun to watch her when she finally saw the fish.  I think this was the first time she’s ever seen fish.  She was fascinated.

DSC_0384

Carlito Spring pond

DSC_0418

Scarlett fascinated by the goldfish

There weren’t any birds about at the spring, which always surprises me.

A few days later I hiked Ojito de San Antonio, which is just a couple miles from Carlito Springs.  There were quite a few birds out that morning, but most of them didn’t want their photo taken.

DSC_0510

Western Bluebird

DSC_0538

Plumbeous Vireo

One afternoon I decided to drive out to Valley Irrigation Road.  I hadn’t been there in quite some time.  As always, I saw several Swainson’s Hawks.  Always a treat to see.

DSC_0714

Swainson’s Hawk

I was surprised at the variety of birds I saw in just 30 minutes of birding by car.

I made sure to stop at the far end of Valley Irrigation Road to see if the  Burrowing Owls were still there.  The prairie dogs immediately put up the alarm when I drove up.

DSC_0839

Prairie Dog giving the alarm call

Off in the distance I did see one owl.  This was the best photo I could get.

DSC_0844

Burrowing Owl

I walked along the river a few times.  I’m always guaranteed nice bird sightings in the bosque.  I’m calling this year the year of the Chat.   I have heard and seen more Yellow-Breasted Chats than ever before.  And surprisingly, most of them are out in the open singing.  In the past, I have found them difficult to spot in the foliage.  I love these birds.

DSC_2337

Yellow-Breasted Chat

Along with the chat, there are a lot of grosbeaks about.  Always beautiful to look at and listen to.

DSC_2374-2

Blue Grosbeak

DSC_2356

Black-Headed Grosbeak

Here are some other birds I saw during my various hikes along the bosque.

DSC_0340

Ash-Throated Flycatcher

DSC_0277

A successful year for this Canada Goose and her babies

DSC_0260

Indigo Bunting

With the warm spring weather, the dragonflies have come out in great numbers.  I love seeing them.

DSC_2341

On another morning, I walked around the trailhead at Cienega Campground.  A lot of birds were active that day.  I hated to leave to go back home to work.  🙁

DSC_0002

Virginia’s Warbler

DSC_0018

MacGillivray’s Warbler

DSC_0074

Warbling Vireo

DSC_9566

Wild Turkey

Last Thursday, the Thursday Birders met up in the Jemez Mountains for a full morning of high altitude birding.  It was beautiful day and there were lots of birds about.

DSC_1150

Williamson’s Sapsucker

DSC_1577

Pygmy Nuthatch

DSC_1523

House Wren

DSC_1256

Western Wood-Pewee

DSC_1095

Dusky Flycatcher

DSC_1078

Western Bluebird

DSC_1062

Violet-Green Swallow

DSC_2412

Northern Flicker

 

The highlight of the trip for me and most everyone attending, was the sighting of the American Three-Toed Woodpecker.  I’ve only seen this bird once before, and only at a great distance.  On this trip, the woodpecker was quite close and willing to stay out in the open for quite some time.  It was a wonderful treat!

DSC_1205

American Three-Toed Woodpecker

DSC_1235

American Three-Toed Woodpecker (you can see the three-toed foot in this photo)

After birding all morning, we all sat down to eat lunch.  We were treated to hummingbirds and Western Tanagers during our meal.

DSC_1509

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird – female

DSC_1540

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird – male

DSC_1466

Western Tanager

Since I was already in the Jemez and the day was still young, I decided to drive up the road to hike the Las Conchas hike.  Such a beautiful trail.  I think it’s in the top 5 of my all time favorite New Mexico hikes.  Scarlett had a blast playing in the water and crossing the boardwalks.   I plan on visiting this trail again soon with my friend Valerie and her husband Kim.  I will definitely post lots of photos of this great trail then.

DSC_1676DSC_1687DSC_1685

While hiking the trail, I couldn’t believe how many Ruby-Crowned Kinglets were singing and flying about.  It was wonderful listening to their beautiful song while I hiked.

DSC_1718

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

There were quite a few other birds about as well.  Overall the birding day was quite successful.

DSC_1795

American Robin

I tried to get Scarlett to do a selfie with me 🙂  She wasn’t very cooperative.  I need to teach her the “selfie” command.  LOL!!  But I did get a shot of her giving me some love.

20160602_154707_resized_1 [15080267]

The best of the selfie attempts with Scarlett

20160602_154710_resized_1 [15080265]

Scarlett loves me 🙂

20160602_154929_resized_1 [15080249]

My sweet Scarlett

Around home I saw some baby Mountain Chickadees just before they left the nest.  And I was thrilled to see a new warbler at my house this year.  🙂

DSC_1889

Baby Mountain Chickadee – he was looking out of the nest because the parents were calling and calling-encouraging him to leap out!

DSC_1918

Black-Throated Gray Warbler

Yesterday, my husband drove me to Water Canyon near Socorro, NM, to look for the Red-Faced Warbler.  This would be a lifer bird for me.  As far as I know, this is one of the few known places near Albuquerque where these birds can be found during the spring.

Thanks to Joe and Rebecca’s excellent directions, I found the bird almost immediately after we parked.  The birds weren’t shy at all, and I was able to get several great photos.  Such a beautiful bird and a beautiful song.  A successful trip!!!

DSC_2007

Red-Faced Warbler

DSC_2057

Red-Faced Warbler.  I couldn’t believe I had such cooperative subjects!

On the way home I had my husband stop in at the Taco Bell Marsh.  It was pretty quiet on the marsh except for the Black-Necked Stilts.  They are actively nesting right now.  I got a photo of one acting injured to lure away predators.  They didn’t like us stopping there, so we only stayed a few minutes.

DSC_2268-2

Black-Necked Stilt

DSC_2239-2

Black-Necked Stilt trying to lure away a predator (i.e., me and my husband)

Now I think I’m caught up!   🙂  I hope you enjoyed all my various bird walks over the past three weeks.

DSC_1735

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 thoughts on “Catching Up

  1. Your photos are fantastic! What a variety of birds you have seen in the past few weeks. I can’t wait to get to New Mexico to see some of the beautiful birds in your area. See you on Friday:-)

  2. Kelly, you are such a good photographer. I especially loved the Red-faced Warber and the Black-throated Gray Warbler, BUT then there are your bluebird pictures; they are all so beautiful.

  3. Lovely shots, all of them!! I particularly liked Scarlet admiring the gold fish. I grew up with a dog like her and pictures of her always bring warm memories. The hawk, the owl and the prairie dog were other favorites. So enjoyed this beautiful post!!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.