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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.  🙁

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.

 

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.  🙂

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!!!

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.

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