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.

Carlito Spring pond

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.

Western Bluebird

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.

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.

Prairie Dog giving the alarm call
Off in the distance I did see one owl. This was the best photo I could get.

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.

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

Blue Grosbeak

Black-Headed Grosbeak
Here are some other birds I saw during my various hikes along the bosque.

Ash-Throated Flycatcher

A successful year for this Canada Goose and her babies

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

Virginia’s Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Warbling Vireo

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.

Williamson’s Sapsucker

Pygmy Nuthatch

House Wren

Western Wood-Pewee

Dusky Flycatcher

Western Bluebird

Violet-Green Swallow

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!

American Three-Toed Woodpecker

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.

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird – female

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird – male

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.
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.

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

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.
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The best of the selfie attempts with Scarlett
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Scarlett loves me 🙂
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My sweet Scarlett

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

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!!!

Red-Faced Warbler

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.

Black-Necked Stilt

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.
A lovely gallery.
Thank you Sherry!
What an enjoyable post, terrific photos!
Thank you very much Belinda!
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:-)
Thank you so much for the compliment! 🙂 I’m looking forward to meeting you
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.
Thank you so much Rebecca!! I appreciate the compliment 🙂
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!!
Thanks Tiny! Sorry I didn’t reply sooner. Your comment was stuck in cyberspace:-/
I appreciate your kind words.