Cooler birding has finally arrived here in the desert!
It was a gorgeous 58 degrees yesterday
morning when I set out to check a few local parks.
I started at Lakeside Park hoping for a
Blue-footed Booby or some other wayward treat.
I was disappointed when the only birds on the water were mallards and coots. I heard and briefly saw a distant kingfisher, but never located it. There were some active flycatchers out and about.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YHKhWUhvcouFF7BIrC_QG38S88pcNf0Oyde2meC4rafU8lW8PWNbDQdLakE2RJSvedrPbRAbiLoV_SwmD9MhhHfg8ig1lYlZTlcWi8gJ6sh1gqPAA28pMid6xgwg31oSSycG_YD1RmZ7/s400/Vermilion+Flycatcher.jpg) |
Vermilion Flycatcher |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz_909-e80GffT3ezAEmasc6HxI8f_9c26Y_KLhwodIE_z93rWr-ZKWrdxQJ9PAC51sDdsi9cV24mDercHU_j77-lIgVrv6wzuIa02yP_4RrknbfZ6n0uA-sSeB5lh8qpSWBa0ddz4O80/s320/Phainopepla.jpg) |
Phainopepla |
A few Killdeer were on the ballfields as well as my first of the season lone White-crowned Sparrow.
Next I was off to Reid Park to check out what ducks had arrived. There were a couple Ring-necked Ducks and wigeon, but no Redheads or Lesser Scaup yet.
These two were at their usual hangout out near the pond.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqLxVdtyv-C4A4kFnlKwwZx0I4YZvVLanSvhhqln8GoM4KiwCJ83GGMjqWYrychhUglP34-gL57fBU7nD1MpVc7IAoRvNSMEc6Y6EDWpJVOMyfBdgzMNIq9LnefHWkWkCeqyfdzZE5kzL/s400/Great+Egret.jpg) |
Great Egret |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtKebRtMQP1als7Rv5RNP_Nrct_3wQR4D2ozhUNnpiQNTDRS8JkUPKeB4iezqyRNHGAF6mAcYjupgU94qTLwjGnuyojvafsPWOaAk1vM3cYp1vyZeyS09YQ6vbpwx6EzK77Jx7yIc_8gv/s400/Double-crested+Cormorant.jpg) |
Double-crested Cormorant |
Not near the water was this Black Phoebe...
who was harassing this cute Vermilion Flycatcher.
A beautiful kestrel wasn't having any luck with breakfast...
and the goldfinches and Verdin were taking turns at the drinking fountain.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVr7zWvvYpVq6TzozMoeBZh2p7__OA8AU8hNMmpZXlQ_eyhv-jp85hymZh3OqDTvcLuhZU3SD48jdzXt90yp-3RH8SYN5sMTz2mGUHUXmQwM8GmPKQd6U-MpH0KmSQwg_c2Yu6fJGckqE/s400/Lesser+Goldfinch+2.jpg) |
Lesser Goldfinch |
It was a great way to start off the weekend. Did I mention I'm loving the cooler temps?
Vermilion Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Phainopepla, Verdin - so many of my favorite AZ birds!
ReplyDeleteJeremy, I am also enjoying the cooler temps. It is delightful to have chilly mornings again.
ReplyDeleteAny day with Vermillion Flycatchers, Phainopeplas and Verdins would be a spectacular day for me. Love these pictures.
Jeremy, I am loving the cooler temps as well and saw many swifts around town today as I was doing errands and counting birds. I have not been to Lakeside in awhile. Perhaps I should go! Love the pic of the verdin at the drinking fountain!
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