Author Archives: Chris Cunningham

Songbirds in the Snow

Posted January 3, 2019 by Chris Cunningham

Summer is the season of inferior sledding.–Eskimo proverb

Spotted Towhee, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Spotted Towhee,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1,4x TC). Natural light.

During the last hours of our holiday visit to Cave Creek Canyon, I took a walk in the wintery landscape. The previous day a blizzard deposited about eight inches of snow. On this trek, I saw mostly common species that I’ve seen many times before (except for a Fox Sparrow!), but the light was bright and clear, and the sky was blue–a welcome change from days of fog, rain, and snow flurries.

Hermit Thrush, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Hermit Thrush,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

According to the locals, this sort of heavy snowfall is highly unusual for Cave Creek Canyon. The last time it happened was about a dozen years ago. I made an attempt at photography the previous day, during the blizzard, but that turned out to be fruitless: It was a weird combination of darkness and glare. It’s tough getting satisfactory results involving quick songbirds at ISO 1600 and above and shutter speeds at 1/320 second or below at 840mm. On this trip, I really discovered the limitations of the sensor in a 7DII–and wished I had a 1DXII or a Nikon D5!

Pyrrhuloxia, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Pyrrhuloxia,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

But on the bright, clear day, the 7DII performed just fine. I had some worries about glare from the snow and blowing out the whites while photographing dark-colored birds against the snow, but these turned out to be mostly unfounded. Overall, with the creamy white backgrounds, rather than green foliage, the results were very different from the normal sorts of images I capture in steamy Gulf Coast Texas.

Dark-eyed Junco, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Dark-eyed Junco,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Hopefully this day of shooting will serve as a practice session for trips to photograph boreal species that I’ve been dreaming about for some time. It was mostly practice on sparrows for time with rosy-finches, redpolls, and crossbills . . . .

Canyon Towhee, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Canyon Towhee,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Chipping Sparrow (Winter), Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Working Our Way back into the Field

Posted December 15, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

Let the great world spin for ever down the ringing grooves of change. –Alfred Lord Tennyson

American Coot Surrounded by Waves of Psionic Energy, Pilant Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas — *American Coot Surrounded by Waves of Azure and Gold Psionic Energy,* Pilant Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. An immensely common bird, the Coot is still fun to observe with its goofy behavior and weird croaking hoots. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Over the past few weeks we’ve been slowly getting back to observing nature. It hasn’t been easy, but when it has occurred, it has been a tonic. We haven’t really had time to seek out the new and unusual, but rather have visited several nearby favorites like Brazos Bend State Park and Fiorenza Park.

Neotropic Cormorant Take-off! Fiorenza Park, Houston, Texas — *Neotropic Cormorant Take-off!* Fiorenza Park, Houston, Texas. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

After next week, we’ll be in the field again regularly, and we hope to rack up some new experiences and species. Until then, we’ll plan, stay local, and reminisce about birding trips of the past. Never has what a long-time birder told us when we were first beginning seemed more true: “Go birding, you’ll live longer.”

Neotropic Cormorant wiht Crunchy Snack-treat, Fiorenza Park, Houston, Texas — *Neotropic Cormorant with Crunchy Snack-treat (South American Armored Catfish),* Fiorenza Park, Houston, Texas. I’m a sucker for these birds-with-prey shots. Luckily we’ve got a great spot for them about ten minutes from the house. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Green Heron: Beautiful Hunter

Posted October 4, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

When, according to habit, I was contemplating the stars in a clear sky, I noticed a new and unusual star, surpassing the other stars in brilliancy. There had never before been any star in that place in the sky.–Tycho Brahe

Green Heron, Fiorenza Park, Houston, Texas — *Portrait Green Heron (Non-breeding),* Fiorenza Park, Houston, Texas. Even in non-breeding colors, the Green Heron is a spectacular bird. This heron was standing on the bridge plucking small fish from the water. Canon EOS 5DIII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x). Natural light.

Green Heron in Breeding Colors, Pilant Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas — *Green Heron in Breeding Colors,* Pilant Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. Note the violet-blue lores and brilliant orange-red legs and feet. Canon EOS 7D/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

The Green Heron may be my favorite wader. This bird is unusual in a number of ways. On the small side (7-9 oz) for North American waders, the Green Heron is brilliantly-colored. The sexes are said to be similar, with females having slightly duller coloration. Immature birds have whitish triangular flecks on the wings and more white around the throat than adults. A number of subspecies are recognized by experts, but some of these are rejected by others. Some Green herons migrate, and others do not. Reportedly these two populations can be distinguished biometrically: the migrating birds have longer wings.

No wader is more fun to watch hunt. Like most North American waders, Green Herons are indiscriminate in their choice of prey: fish, frogs, tadpoles, crayfish, insects, spiders will all do. But their repertoire of hunting behaviors is unsurpassed. They will hang in wait, gargoyle-like, from logs, hide from fish below on tops of lotus pads, or stroll through the weeds like other waders in search of small prey, vertebrate or invertebrate.

Green Heron, Elm Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas — *Young Green Heron About to Strike,* Elm Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. Canon EOS 7D/500mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.

Green Heron with Shad, Elm Lake, Brazos Bend State, Texas — *Fruits of the Strike: Young Green Heron with Shad,* Elm Lake, Brazos Bend State, Texas. Canon EOS 7D/500mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.

Most interestingly, Green Herons use tools. They exhibit bait-fishing and have been known to drown air-breathing prey in water before swallowing. I have seen this done with frogs on a number of occasions. Likewise, it is possible (rarely) to see Green Herons bait-fishing by placing aquatic beetles on the surface of the water to attract prey at Elm Lake.

Green Heron with Fish, Elm Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas — *Green Heron with Small Fish,* Elm Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. Canon EOS 7D/500mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Although Green Herons commonly nest across the eastern half of Texas, I usually see Green Herons in non-breeding colors. Only rarely do I see full breeding colors. Green Herons generally do not nest among large wader rookeries as most herons do, but when they do, they tend to nest away from the masses. They will nest in single pairs or in small groups, too.

While Texas Coastal populations will remain for the winter, soon the inland populations will be largely gone for wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. They will return again next year for the sweltering summer weather.

Stretching Green Heron, Pilant Slough, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas — *Stretching Green Heron,* Pilant Slough, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. Although Green Herons typically walk around with their heads against their bodies, their necks are capable of tremendous extension to grab prey. Canon EOS 7D/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.

Fall Limps In

Posted September 27, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others. –Buddha

Eastern Phoebe, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas — *October Eastern Phoebe on Hackberry Branch,* Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. Canon 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light

All of Texas Gulf Coast creation must breathe a collective sigh of relief when the first hint of fall arrives. This time, the first backing-off of the dantesque Texas summer was modest, indeed. l woke to find one day this last week that it was slightly less unpleasant outside. Surely a harbinger of great things.

Portrait Great Blue Heron, Pilant Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas — *Autumn Portrait: Great Blue Heron,* Pilant Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x). Natural light.

Despite the fact I’d rather than be almost anywhere other than the Gulf Coast in summer, there is almost no place I’d rather be in winter. The Upper Texas Gulf Coast and Coastal Bend are fantastic when north winds blow. The bays, beaches, barrier islands, and coastal marshes are hopping with life. Fluffy white clouds zip across the sky, the waters sparkle, and you can breathe! Surely we now stand at the brink of the best of times!

Baby Alligators, Pilant Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas — *Baby Alligators in November,* Pilant Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. Only a few months old, these young killers soak up the autumn sun. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

What Happens When They’re Gone?

Posted September 19, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

l want to interpret the natural world and our links to it. It’s driven by the belief of many world-class scientists that we’re in the midst of an extinction crisis… This time it’s us that’s doing it. –Frans Lanting

Portrait: Wood Duck Drake, Socorro, New Mexico — *Portrait: Wood Duck Drake,* Albuquerque, New Mexico. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

We were able to get out to get out birding (briefly) this last weekend–we took some time out from furnishing one house and giving another a face-lift. We took a walk around Brazos Bend State Park, binoculars in hand, hoping to run into a friend (RD). It was sweltering. The ground was soggy. The air was not full of bird-sounds–in fact, we were quite shocked by the lack of bird life. Mosquitos ruled.

This lack of avians got me thinking about our current state of affairs, ecologically-speaking. To despair is to read old-timey field accounts of bird-watching from the 1950’s and before. Works like Arizona and its Bird Life by Herbert Brandt (1951) and The Warblers of North America by Griscom and Sprunt (eds.) (1957) describe a world nearly as remote as the Miocene.

American White Pelican, Fiorenza Park, Houston, Texas — *American White Pelican in Flight,* Fiorenza Park, Houston, Texas. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

On this latest trip, I felt like I was looking into the future. Project the current trend twenty five years into the future, and you’ll see what we saw: A world nearly free of birds. It’s hard to come to grips with this, but songbird numbers have dropped by half in my lifetime. Some other groups have suffered even more significant declines. Auks, as we saw in the Pribilofs the summer before last, for example, have been decimated. But the perpetually innocent fishing industry, of course, has nothing to do with this. Welcome to the Anthropocene . . . .

In this terrible future, it’s hard to imagine what I’ll do in the park. Perhaps I’d better bring something to read.

Young White Ibis, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas — *Young White Ibis,* Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. This bird had a number of parasite-induced growths on its face: Larval insects, perhaps? Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Blow, North Winds Blow . . . .

Posted September 10, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. –Robert Frost

Parakeet Auklets Battle, St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Alaska — *Parakeet Auklets Battle,* St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Alaska. Nesting real estate is at a premium on cliffs frequented by sea birds. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

If given the choice, I’d choose the latter . . . .

The recent uncharacteristic silence has been the result of being ridiculously busy with work and a variety of messy projects. We haven’t been able to work on anything related to photo-birding, except adding a few volumes to our growing ornithology library. And the disgusting dog-days of summer here along the Gulf Coast haven’t made the prospect of being outside very attractive–even if we had the time.

Common Loon Takeoff, Offatt's Bayou, Galveston Island, Texas — *Common Loon Take-off,* Offatt’s Bayou, Galveston Island, Texas. Common Loons fish the deep waters of Offatt’s Bayou in winter. Although you won’t see breeding colors until just before they depart for breeding grounds, Offatt’s Bayou offers the prospect of seeing these birds without having to make a blood sacrifice to the Insecta of the North Country. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

What I have been able to do, though, is fantasize about glorious birding outings in the cold, fresh frosty air in my face. Blow again north winds, blow! Make being outside a joy, again!

Black Rosy, Sandia Mountains, New Mexico — *Black Rosy-Finch,* Sandia Mountains, New Mexico. This difficult-to-see bird can be found on the frozen heights of the Sandia Mountains in winter. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Birds on a Found CF Card

Posted August 4, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again? –A. A. Milne

Male Baltimore Oriole, Quintana Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary, Texas — *Male Baltimore Oriole,* Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary, Texas. Canon EOS 7D/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.

One of my goals for this summer in Arizona was to go through a lifetime’s worth of debris and discard the worthless junk and organize and store those things we want to keep for the future. One particular challenge was to sort through the old photo gear. We have camera stuff going back to the 1950’s: Equipment inherited from my dad, Elisa’s grandfather and uncle, and all our stuff. Most of it was hurriedly thrown into cardboard boxes in the aftermath of Harvey.

White-eyed Vireo, Laffite's Cove, Galveston Island, Texas — *White-eyed Vireo,* Laffite’s Cove, Galveston Island, Texas. Canon EOS 7D/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.

Black and White Warbler, Lafitte's Cove, Galveston Island, Texas — *Black and White Warbler,* Lafitte’s Cove, Galveston Island, Texas. Canon EOS 7D/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.

Going through a pile of obsolete or broken bodies, I found a 32 GB CF card that I had forgotten about. On it were four or five hundred images I had forgotten about, also. Most of the images were Texas Gulf Coast stuff from five or six years ago. Many shots were attempts to deal with the murky and broken light of Texas Gulf Coast barrier island oak mottes during spring migration using flash.

American Bittern, 40-acre Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas — *Displaying American Bittern,* 40-acre Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. Canon EOS 7D/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.

I can almost feel the heat, the air heavy with humidity and the frequent sting of mosquitoes piercing my clothes–so different from the recent adventures featuring the blistering glare and UV fog of high altitude Arizona, but so similar in the sense of possibility of see something new.

Clearly the richness of your life depends upon the richness of your memories. Photography contributes to memory, if only in diverting our minds from the meaningless rubbish of contemporary daily life back to things . . . worth remembering.

Grackle, Corps. Woods, Galveston Island, Texas — *Male Boat-tailed Grackle,* Corps. Woods, Galveston Island, Texas. Judging by the images around this one, this bird, too, was in the middle of a courtship display. Canon EOS 7D/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). High-speed synchronized fill-flash.

We photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing, and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth can make them come back again. We cannot develop and print a memory. –Henri Cartier-Bresson

Find the Food, Find the Critters

Posted July 28, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

If my leg falls off, I’ll get a prosthetic. There’d be no deep sadness about. I’d just get on with it! It’s called life, and I love life. You have to be positive, and you have to crack on no matter what. –John Lydon

Anna's Hummingbird on Agave Bloom Stalk, Cathedral Vista, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Female Anna’s Hummingbird on Agave palmeri Bloom Stalk,* Cathedral Vista, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. This bird has laid claim to this agave: Invaders are driven away mercilessly! Too bad for the photographer. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Food, water, and cover are essentials for wildlife. All of these resources vary in their distribution over time depending on climate and weather. As a newcomer to Cave Creek, my forays out into the desert have lately been mostly about finding food plants–so I can find the birds and bugs!

Currently a number of plants are in bloom in the lower valley. Cenizo or Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens), mountain yucca (Yucca schottii), Palmer’s agave (Agave palmeri), and trumpet vine and elderberry (as noted in previous posts), are all providing food for birds and other animals. When not clearing brush or refinishing woodwork, I have been hanging around these plants hoping to see some visitors.

I have, for example, spent several hours on several occasions camped out by a large Palmer’s Agave. Although hoping for Bullock’s Orioles (Never mind the Bullocks, MP!), which I’ve seen at other agaves while driving through the canyon, the only birds I’ve seen at this particular plant have been hummingbirds and Black-headed Grosbeaks. I’ll give the orioles the old college try a few more times!

A Seed-bug(?) Confronts a Net-winged Beetle, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *A Seed-bug(?) Confronts an Arizona Net-winged Beetle (Lycus arizonensis) on Trumpet Vine Flower,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/100mm f/2.8L IS Macro. High-speed synchronized macro ring-flash.

Cloudless Sulphur on Trumpet Vine, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) on Trumpet Vine,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. This species seems to have replaced the marine blue as the most common butterfly around the lower canyon. Canon EOS 5DIII/100mm f/2.8L IS Macro. High-speed synchronized macro ring-flash.

Young Birds Out and About in the Desert

Posted July 21, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

Take a course in good water and air; and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own. Go quietly, alone; no harm will befall you. –John Muir

Fledgling Male Northern Cardinal, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Fledgling Male Northern Cardinal on Juniper,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. This young bird’s parent called from nearby. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

On a blazingly bright morning this week I took a long, hot walk in the Chihuahuan Desert. Signs of the renewal of life were everywhere. Cactus Wrens gathered nesting materials, Curve-billed Thrashers squabbled over territory, and young birds of several species, under the ever-watchful eyes of parents, explored their newly-discovered world . . . .

Fledgling Verdin, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Fledgling Verdin on Elderberry Branch,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. A group of three young siblings foraged with a parent nearby. The youngsters moved with a quick confidence and gave no indication of being inexperienced. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Out on the desert flats, the best hope for photographing birds is to keep an eye on agave or yucca bloom stalks or the tops of prickly pear cacti. Photographing here, though, can be a challenge. In addition to cataract-inducing glare, birds can see you coming from a long way off, and they have thousands of square miles of similar habitat to choose from.

On this trip, an adult monitored and fed a pair of young Western Kingbirds. The fledglings exhibited begging behavior as the adult approached. Occasionally, the adult would call out over the desert. Eventually I pushed my luck too far, and the adult flew off. The young birds flowed a minute or so after.

Fledgling Western Kingbird, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Fledgling Western Kingbird on Agave Bloom Stalk,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

In this same general area, I have seen kingbirds hawking insects in a rather un-flycatcher-like fashion. Rather than grabbing bugs on the wing and returning to a perch to consume them, they swirled and darted in the air while consuming prey, without landing. Beautiful and interesting to observe, but nearly impossible to photograph (at least by me!).

The Monsoon Returns to the Southwest

Posted July 15, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

The North American monsoon, variously known as the Southwest monsoon, the Mexican monsoon, the New Mexican monsoon, or the Arizona monsoon,^[1] is a pattern of pronounced increase in thunderstorms and rainfall over large areas of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, typically occurring between July and mid September. During the monsoon, thunderstorms are fueled by daytime heating and build up during the late afternoon-early evening. –North American Monsoon, Wikipedia

*Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona as the Rains Return*. The monsoon brings a great increase in cloud cover and humidity in the canyon. June mornings are usually brilliant and clear. July mornings are often cloudy. Canon EOS 5DIII/50mm f/1.4. Natural light.

June in Cave Creek Canyon was unusual this year in that it rained heavily several times at low elevation. Since the second week in July, it has rained often: The monsoon is here! The vegetation is beginning to green up, and soon some angiosperm species will begin to flower. Some animals have changed their behavior, too. No longer pressed for places to drink, traffic at our dripper has decreased. Driving the roads at night is thankfully no longer a video-game-like experience of trying to avoid hitting roaming cottontails and jackrabbits on desperate searches for water.

Golden Net-wing(ed Beetles) Lycostomus loripes) on gum bumelia (Sideroxylon lanuginosum_. Cave Creek Canyon Visitor Information Center Nature Trail, Arizona — *Copulating Golden Net-wing Beetles (Lycostomus loripes) on Gum Bumelia (Sideroxylon lanuginosum),* Cave Creek Canyon Visitor Information Center Nature Trail, Arizona. This plant fills the air with insect-attracting perfume. Canon EOS 5DIII/100mm f/2.8L IS Macro. High-speed synchronized macro ring-flash.

Velvet mite, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Velvet Mite* (Trombidiidae), Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Sometimes called “rain bugs,” these arachnids emerge from the soil in the millions after a rain. Velvet mite larvae are parasites of a variety of arthropods including spiders and scorpions. Adult velvet mites eat insect eggs. This creature is around one-eighth inch long. Canon EOS 5DIII/100mm f/2.8L IS Macro. High-speed synchronized macro ring-flash.

I confess to sometimes being at a loss as how to proceed with nature photography in Cave Creek Canyon. It is such a rich environment (and getting richer every day with the rains) that it is a challenge to decide which equipment to bring out on a hike or birding trip. Most of the canyon hikes I have been on (especially the ones with the local hiking club) have been too arduous to bring the big glass (600mm f/4L). Sometimes when I bring the big glass, I regret not having the macro.

A few times I have attempted to bring both the big glass and the macro set-up (100mm f/2.8L Macro plus macro ring-flash) and have been rewarded with complete exhaustion. Often, I have hiked with binoculars only with that idea that if we find interesting plants or insects or an area rich in birds I would return with appropriate additional optics. A few times, I have brought the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L as a compromise. In those cases, there has generally been an interesting bird just out of range for such a middle-of-the-road lens!

Javalina, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Portrait: Javalina or Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu),* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Peccaries constitute the Family Tayassuidae, the New World Pigs. This youngster smells tasty sunflower seeds. To my knowledge, no javalinas have visited our dripper since the monsoon began. Canon EOS 5DIII/100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS. Natural light.

White-nosed coati, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Large Male White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica),* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. This big fellow is around four feet long. Since the rains have returned, the coatis have not been coming to our dripper, either. Canon EOS 5DIII/100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS. Natural light.

Only additional experience, I suspect, will allow me to know how to proceed most effectively. In only a few weeks here, I have seen a number of tough-to-see bird species including Elegant Trogon, Plumbeous Vireo, and Thick-billed Kingbird–but haven’t gotten the big glass on them, yet. Time and continued effort should remedy this situation (I hope!).

Broad-billed Hummingbird, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Broad-billed Hummingbird,* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Broad-billed and Black-chinned Hummingbirds seem to be the most common hummers early in summer. These birds sparkle like gems in the sunlight. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Flesh fly, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona — *Not All the Denizens of Cave Creek Canyon are Pretty: Flesh Fly (Sarcophagidae),* Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona. Another visitor to the Trumpet Vine World. Canon EOS 7DII/100mm f/2.8L IS Macro. High-speed synchronized macro ring-flash.

Visual Impact: Build Your Own Feeders

Posted July 7, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

I can’t even say the word “titmouse” without giggling like a schoolgirl ee hee! Ee hee hee hee hee hee!–Homer Simpson

Juniper Titmouse, Portal, Arizona — *Juniper Titmouse,* Portal, Arizona. The rotted-out cavities in this Arizona sycamore log have been filled with black oil sunflower seeds and suet. Juniper Titmice are among the quickest birds I have ever photographed. They make warblers look like slow-pokes! Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Nothing messes up a bird photo more thoroughly than a feeder being present in the shot. A fairly straightforward solution to this problem is to build your own feeders out of attractive pieces of found wood.

Bridled Titmouse, Portal, Arizona — *Bridled Titmouse,* Portal, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

As I’ve been clearing brush, I’ve made a point of setting aside particularly nice pieces of deadfall, mostly Arizona sycamore logs. Knots, rotted out cavities, woodpecker holes and granaries all make for visual interest.

White-breasted Nuthatch, Portal, Arizona — *White-breasted Nuthatch,* Portal, Arizona. Note that this Arizona sycamore log has been attacked by Acorn Woodpeckers for use as a granary as well as a nest cavity. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

The biggest problem with bird feeders still remains: mammalian pests. The feeders I have built with found wood are set up on 3 5/8” bird feeder posts. One anti-squirrel/raccoon baffle I have foils chipmunks and coatis. I watched a coati (from no more than ten feet away!) tear down a feeder I had just built on a post without a baffle. Can’t skimp on baffles: any but the expensive metal kind will be torn up in a heart-beat out here in the Arizona sticks!

*What, these seeds aren’t free?* Male Northern Cardinal, Portal, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Elderberries are for the Birds!

Posted June 30, 2018 by Chris Cunningham

Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and look forward to the time when we may pick the fruit. –Anton Chekhov

Female Phainpepla wiht elderberry, Portal, Arizona — *Female Phainopepla with Elderberry,* Portal, Arizona. Phainopeplas sit in place and graze on berries. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Male Phainopepla on Elderberry branch, Portal, Arizona — *Male Phainopepla on Elderberry Branch,* Portal, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

A group of four bushy elderberry trees (Sambucus sp.) are currently in fruit a short walking distance from our Canyon House. A small flock of Phainopeplas are in residence around the bushes, and presumably will stay until all the fruit is consumed.

Ash-throated Flycatchers are the next most abundant birds that are gobbling up the fruit. Rather than hang around there, though, small groups come and go. At least three other species of tyrant flycatchers are eating the fruit: Western Wood-Pewees, Western Kingbirds and a Thick-billed Kingbird. I got the binoculars on the Wood-Pewees and the Thick-billed Kingbird a few times, but have yet to get photos. I’ll keep trying.

Ash-throated Flycatcher, Portal, Arizona — *Ash-throated Flycatcher on Elderberry Branch,* Portal, Arizona. Flycatchers buzz the elderberry bushes and pluck berries on the wing! Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Western Kingbird, Portal, Arizona — *Western Kingbird,* Portal, Arizona. A telephone line runs over the elderberry bushes, and many of the birds perch to make sure the coast is clear before descending into the berry patch. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Other species of fruit-loving birds are also present in smaller numbers in the cluster of trees. These include Black-headed Grosbeaks, Bendire’s Thrashers, Curve-billed Thrashers, White-winged Doves, House Finches, Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Western Tanagers, Northern Mockingbirds, Northern Cardinals, and a small drab vireo. I think I also spotted a Lesser Goldfinch plucking fruit, but I can’t be sure. A Canyon Towhee was also hanging around once, but I didn’t see it eat any berries–it’s presence may have been incidental, being a common bird in the desert at this elevation (around 5000 feet).

Black-headed Grosbeak, Portal, Arizona — *Male Black-headed Grosbeak on Elderberry,* Portal, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

Bendire's Thrasher, Portal, Arizona — *Bendire’s Thrasher,* Portal, Arizona. The telephone pole stands adjacent to the elderberries. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

House finch eating elderberries, Portal, Arizona — *Female House Finch Eating Elderberries,* Portal, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

The desert is a marvelous place, but resources come and go, and nothing is certain. Rains may bring creeks to life and form puddles–but they soon dry up again. Flowers and fruit come and go, and the life of the desert must be ever vigilant in finding food and water and moving on to the next opportunity . . . But one thing is clear: We’ll be planting elderberries on our land!

Northern Mockingbird on Elderberry, Portal, Arizona — *Northern Mockingbird on Elderberry,* Portal, Arizona. Canon EOS 7DII/600mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC). Natural light.

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