Recently my friend Valerie and I went to Phoenix to attend a scrapbooking class. The day of class it rained and rained and rained. I was beginning to believe that I wouldn’t get a chance to bird on the following day.
Luckily, Saturday’s weather had improved. The rain had stopped, but there were still clouds and a pretty strong breeze and the temperature was pretty cold, especially for Phoenix. But I deemed it good enough to go birding.
So I headed for my favorite birding spot in Phoenix: Gilbert Water Ranch. It’s a fabulous place that has several water reclamation ponds and lots of walking trails.
Entrance to Gilbert Water Ranch at Sunset
When I first arrived, there were three people there holding rescued owls. Of course, I just had to stop. It was a very cloudy morning, so the lighting was poor, but I was determined to get the best photos I could.
Western Screech Owl
Burrowing Owl
Great Horned Owl
After enjoying the owls, Scarlett and I hit the trails. There were bunnies EVERYWHERE!!! Scarlett was almost overwhelmed at seeing so many bunnies and mom wouldn’t let her chase any of them. Those bunnies were either brave or foolish. 🙂
Cute bunny enjoying the weak morning sun.
Mom! That bunny is so close!!!!!
There were lots of shorebirds about. Most of them were quite a distance away, making it difficult to get good photos.
Long-Billed Dowitchers
American Avocet
Least Sandpiper
Black-Necked Stilts
I saw several egrets and herons about.
Great Egret
Green Heron deep in a bush.
Snowy Egret
I just happened to notice three Wilson’s Snipes snoozing under a bush. They blended in so well that most people walking by never knew they were just a few feet away.
Wilson’s Snipes
Lots of waterfowl out.
Hooded Merganser female
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Canada Goose
Green-Winged Teal male and female
Finding and photographing the small birds in the low light and windy conditions was challenging. I did manage to find a few. But as you can see, the photos aren’t that great. It’s quite challenging to take pics of birds on little twigs swinging in the breeze!
Red-Winged Blackbird
Cactus Wren
Verdin
Mourning Dove
Abert’s Towhee
Northern Mockingbird
Orange-Crowned Warbler
Song Sparrow
European Starlings
Yellow-Rumped Warbler
Gambel’s Quail
Gila Woodpecker
Curve-Billed Thrasher
My most enjoyable part of the day was when I came across several cooperative Anna’s Hummingbirds. I had a great time taking lots of photos in hopes of catching the fire in the feathers.
Anna’s Hummingbird female
Anna’s Hummingbird male – you can see a hint of color
Anna’s Hummingbird
Those wings move fast!
My favorite photo of the day!
Scarlett and I ended up hiking 9.5 miles that day! We were pooped! I’m sure Scarlett dreamt about chasing rabbits all night long! 🙂
Scarlett sound asleep…that’s a satisfied puppy!
Lots of goodies here, but we that Verdin – wow!
Thanks so much Joe! I was happy to get a pic of the Verdin with the red showing on his wings 🙂
Always great pics and variety. Loved the rescue owls. Jealous the weather lets you get out so often. Thanks
Thank you Ed! I love birding in the Southwest. I can get out quite often. I’m spoiled and complain when I can’t. I see from your latest post you have a much harder time getting out in the winter. You make me appreciate where I live. 🙂
Wow! what a beautiful collection and variety of birds. Is it any wonder Scarlet is worn out after such an amazing day of birding like you enjoyed!
Thank you aussiebirder! Phoenix birding even on a winter day is fabulous. I love to visit there whenever I can. Scarlett was a real trooper to hang in there with me from sun up to sun down. 🙂
Wow! It looks like you had a great day! You captured so many beautiful birds: it was definitely a successful outing:-)
Thanks Stephanie! I love birding in Phoenix!
As always I’m impressed with your photos, but I have to say this time, I’m really really impressed with 9.5 miles! Kudos to you and Scarlett.
Thanks Donna! My husband says I’m obsessed with birding. I guess this proves his point. Lol!
What a gorgeous series of captures, Kelly! Your favorite of the day is mine too. And kudos on 9.5 miles as well as Miss Scarlett’s good behavior with all those bunnies! For sure, she dreamt of bunnies all night long. 🙂
Thank you Donna! I love Phoenix. I can fill an SD card in no time there 🙂 Scarlett was a good girl. We were both tired after walking all those miles!