August 21. 2023
My first take on the bird was Eastern Phoebe. I initially noted the white throat, black bill without any yellow edging. When photographing a bird, the photographer will concentrate on keeping the bird in the frame, focus, and proper exposure.
But when I processed my pics I noticed…….
(continued) that the throat is gray, as are the undertail coverts, and especially the perfect gray vest….. this is actually a Western Wood-pewee. I’m probably wrong (again) and this is the extinct Bararitarian (or Gilbert’s) Flycatcher.
Upland Sandpiper, Green Valley 8-19-23
Last week an Upland Sandpiper was seen/photographed at Lake Cochise in Wilcox. Other good birds were also found. In any event, I drove out, at 4am, to the well-known spot did not find the peep. So, on the way back from Wilcox I got a call from Heidi Dohman, who asked if I had seen the message about the Upland Sandpiper at the Quail Creek Golf Course (in Green Valley). So we took a short drive out to the spot and at ~1pm, just as I got out of the car I saw its small head and long neck appear. Then I noticed a small group happy birders who had better looks, so we sauntered over to the spot and I got a few, still distant photos before it flew off. We found it again later, but a coyote flushed it and it was gone, never to be seen again.
Black Tern, Amado WTP, 8-21-23
Another bird that I went out to Wilcox to see was a Black Tern – which I missed. So early today this photogenic tern shows up at near-by Amado.
Black Tern, Amado WTP, 8-21-23
Lark Bunting, Canoa, 8-20-23
These birds are coming through ion good numbers. The above detail shows a tiny part of a 100-bird crew that flew by.
Painted Bunting Greenie Canoa 8-21-23
Tropical Kingbird, Tubac, 8-21-23
Green Kingfisher, Tubac, 8-21-23
Purple Martin, Canoa, 8-21-23
This bird was extremely difficult to capture. I will try again. I would normally just discard/forget mediocre or worse images. But this one has a slightly ethereal feel to it.
Dorantes (Dorante’s?) Long-tailed Skipper, Canoa 8-21-23.
