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American Wigeon at Agua Caliente Park

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:49:27 +0000

A photo of an American Wigeon (Anas americana) at Agua Caliente Park in Tucson, Arizona.

The American Wigeon is a common duck in North America. It is a medium sized duck and it has a small bill. The male is identified by an iridescent green mask around its eyes and a light cream cap that extends from its bill and forehead, to the crown of its head. The female’s markings are not as prominent, and consist of a brown and gray plumage.

Storage Tank, Staircase, and Shadow

admin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:26:31 +0000

An abstract black and white photograph created by the play of light and shadow, from a staircase on a storage tank.

Cooper’s Hawk at Lyman-Atturbury Bird and Animal Sanctuary

admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:10:22 +0000

Photo of a Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) perched in a tree, watching for its next meal, at the Lyman-Atturbury Bird and Animal Sanctuary in Tucson, Arizona AZ.

A few facts:

The Cooper’s Hawk has a range that extends from Southern Canada to Central America.

It preys on small to medium birds. During the spring I have seen them take baby quail on several occasions.

Cedar Waxwings at Agua Caliente Park

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:23:58 +0000

I caught up with these Cedar Waxwings at the Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park in Tucson, Arizona, then proceeded to do everything to sabotage my efforts to get the photo. I was unable to make an exposure on my first attempt because the battery was low, and my back up was back in truck. Then after finally finding the flock again after about 40 minutes, I was able to make 5 exposures. However somewhere along the trip to fetch a charged battery, I accidentally moved the exposure setting from aperture priority to manual and the exposures were about 3 stops off. Fortunately, there are more waxwings out there.

A few facts.

The Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park consists of 101 acres and a natural spring supplies water to several ponds creating an oasis in the desert that provides habitat for many bird species. The Tucson Audubon Society has a nature shop at the park.

The Cedar Waxwing is a social bird, and it tends to fly in compact flocks. It is similar to the Bohemian Waxwing and the first thing I look for in identifying them is the coloration of the bird’s belly. The Cedar Waxing has a yellowish belly, while the Bohemian’s is gray.

Yellow-headed Blackbird and reeds

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:24:19 +0000

A male Yellow-headed Blackbird perching on a reed in the wetlands at Swan Lake near Reno, Nevada.

A few facts:

Yellow-headed Blackbirds can be viewed in grassland, farm fields, and in wetlands. They prefer to breed in a marsh with tall reeds.

The Swan Lake Nature Study Area (Nevada Audubon website) is located North of Reno, NV amid urban development. It consists of over 1800 acres and provides important habitat to wildlife. Over 150 species of birds have been identified there.