As June comes to a close, the pursuit of 500 bird species is effectively on hold at 414.  The month has been spent mostly watching Chip the cat whip the man cubs into shape.  He does much of his coaching from the dining room table.

Like a battle-hardened drill sergeant, Chip makes sure Henry pushes Owen safely around the house.  Chip fancies himself as the 'law and order' cat.

Chip has been teaching Henry how to play with cat toys.  Here, Henry demonstrates his ability to play with his truck and fish for cats at the same time.  Chip is a big believer in multi-tasking.

And, Chip has been sharing the finer points of enjoying a good catnip high with Henry.

One of Chip's favorite exercises is to soak up the Florida sunshine while taking his turn at keeping a watchful eye on the man cubs.

Henry enjoys his opportunities to slip away from Chip's heavy hand to spend time at the pool.  Here, he was able to talk three young ladies into letting him borrow their 'boat'.  I don't know who taught Henry that skill.

At the end of another busy day, the man cubs are thankful for some peace and quiet...

... as Chip takes a break to do what cats do best.

A two-day whirlwind tour of southern Michigan bumped the year-to-date count by eleven to 412. 

Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Blue-winged and Cerulean warblers, all new to the 2024 list, were observed but without great photo opportunities.  We saw 95 total species during the two days.

Nearly extinct 50 years ago, the Kirtland's Warbler offered great looks after some patience.  I met another birder who currently stands at #5 on eBird for most species observed in the U.S. this year.  He got a good picture from about 50 yards away and suggested that might be the best picture to be had given the challenge of not being able to leave the road.  The warblers' nesting areas are protected.  Happily, this one decided to explore a tree right in front me.  So, I don't have his count but I do have a much better picture.

The Black Terns I first observed in Texas a month ago have arrived in the north country for summer.  This time I got good looks at one of the local sewage lagoons.  Yes, sewage lagoons can be excellent spots for birding.

Baltimore Orioles were among the many species tending to nests.  This oriole's nest is like a small, woven hanging basket.  Both the male and female were hustling to bring caterpillars to the nest.

Tomorrow begins the dash back to Key West.  Apparently, baby-sitting duty resumes on Tuesday.  The best approach seems to be that we take care of Henry and Henry takes care of little brother Owen.

400

Upon learning about more delays with moving into our new house last Thursday, we did the only thing we could do... we headed to Cincinnati on Friday to visit my mom.  And, to continue the pursuit of 500 species in 2024.

Saturday morning found us in the Sandhills Wildlife Refuge of South Carolina with three target birds.  I have been waiting for a chance to photograph a Bob White quail for four years.  I finally got my chance.  Not a great chance.  But a chance.

Next, the diminutive Acadian Flycatcher.

 

And, the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker.  This is another species that has declined as a result of habitat loss.  Its white cheeks distinguish it from similar species such as Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.  So, we were 3 for 3 at this stop.

Later that afternoon, I picked up #400 at Seven Islands Park near Knoxville, TN.  The Field Sparrow isn't anything to get excited about but, every one counts.

Today, it's on to Michigan in search of nesting warblers.  One thing I am realizing about being retired is there are no days off.  You have to be retired every day.  Frankly, it's exhausting.  More soon from Michigan.

The past couple of weeks have been all about babies, bottles and diapers.  Henry and I have been taking walks, going to the pool, and wearing out the movie "Cars."  I have also concluded there isn't a pop song that cannot be turned into a Sesame Street jingle.  Chip the cat has taken it upon himself to raise the man-cub Owen.

This weekend marks the beginning of the move into the new house.  It looks like that process will consume most of June. 

I have also been working through the remaining photos from the Arizona trip.  Here a few more looks from the trip.

True to its name, this Hermit Warbler made a brief appearance on the final morning of the trip.

Painted Redstart is another one of my favorite birds to photograph.  

Do hummingbirds take baths?  Why yes, they certainly do.  This female Broad-tailed Hummingbird took a dip in the stream while I was working on the Grace's Warbler below.

On the final morning, I walked with a couple of staffers from the Ash Canyon Preserve in search of Northern Pygmy Owls.  We didn't see the owls but, they did point out several nests including this Plumbeous Vireo sitting on her nest.  We also observed Rivoli's and Beryline Hummingbird nests.

Finally, another of my western favorites is the Mountain Chickadee.

More soon provided we survive the move into the new house.  Doing that kind of work with the heat index at +100 degrees is not my idea of a healthy past-time.  

After ten fabulous days in Arizona, it's back to Key West tomorrow to prepare for the move into the new house.  

For the trip, I tallied 156 total species with 88 new for the year and 31 life birds.  The 2024 YTD total species count now stands at 395 species against my goal this year of 500.  The going gets tougher from here.

The locals insist seeing a Gila Monster is a rare thing but, I saw my second one in 5 days near Portal, AZ.

One of the top priority species for any birder in Southeast Arizona is the Elegant Trogon.  This bird is primarily found from Mexico south into Central America.  But, a few make their way into the 'Sky Islands" south of Tucson.

And, while Roadrunners are quite common in this area, it's still fun to watch them dart about like they just downed a six-pack of Red Bulls.

Oh yes, and the Elf Owl I was looking for Wednesday evening?   Yep, I got that one too.  The Elf Owl is the world's smallest owl measuring about 5 inches from the top of their head to the tip of their tail.

Hasta la vista, Vaya con dios and Tommy Lasorda from Arizona!

Today, we'll focus on the Arizona birds I have seen on this trip that are predominantly yellow or orange starting with the Black-headed Grosbeak.  

And the Bullock's Oriole.

And, a Scott's Oriole enjoying some grape jelly.

And, a similar but different Hooded Oriole.

One of my favorites is the colorful Western Tanager.

And, on Monday, this Olive Warbler became life bird #500!   I am looking to make an Elf Owl #504 tonight.

I have seen two Coatimundis on this trip.  The second one pulled down a hummingbird feeder to satisfy its sweet tooth.  I can respect that.

On Sunday, I encountered a birding tour group near Tucson while looking for the Five-striped Sparrow.  On Monday, they appeared while I was at a hotspot in Patagonia, AZ.  On Wednesday, they arrived at Miller Canyon near Sierra Vista, AZ as I was getting ready to leave that location.  So basically, those folks are paying about $2,500 each for a guide to drive them to the same locations I am hitting at no charge.  Being self-sufficient does have value although they are probably eating better than I am.

On a final note, the saguaro cacti have started blooming along with other cactus species making the Sonoran Desert one gigantic garden.

Greetings from warm and windy Tucson.  With three full days of birding from the Utah border to the Mexican border, the only bad news is that this trip ends in seven days.   The 2024 list has grown by 51 to bring the 2024 total species count to 358.

I'll start this post with some red birds.  I thought I had a great look at a Summer Tanager in Texas a couple of weeks ago (see my April 11 post) but, this look may be even better.   You tell me.

My previous post included my first look at a Red-faced Warbler.  I got some better looks the next day.

And, after 3 trips to Arizona, I finally got a Pyrrhuloxia photo that I really like.  The view and the evening light at Saguaro National Park were just right.

Having picked up the Common Nighthawk in Texas and an Antillean Nighthawk in Key West just before this trip, I completed the "2024 nighthawk trifecta" by picking up the Lesser Nighthawk in Saguaro National Park.  Trying to photograph these birds when they are flying 10-20 MPH on wildly erratic flightpaths is certainly a challenge.  I got this one just before it soared behind a saguaro cactus.

My #1 target bird for the trip was the Five-striped Sparrow, a species that is found in the U.S. only around the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson.  On my way to find the sparrow, I came upon a fellow standing by the road.  He waved at me to pass but, I decided to stop and see what he was checking out.  He asked if I wanted to see a Gila Monster.  I said, "Sure thing as long as I don't have to pet it."  It's bite is roughly the equivalent of a rattlesnake's bite. Unfortunately, it had crawled off and the search was abandoned after several minutes of peering through a barbed wire fence.

Shortly after that, I came upon him again waving me down.  This time, a Gila Monster was still in the road and I was able to see this species for the first time.  He said these are exceptionally difficult to find and he was visibly thrilled to have seen two in one day.  In talking with other locals about this, I concluded this sighting was the equivalent of finding a junonia shell on your first trip to Sanibel.  On a side note for Judson... the Gila Monster is not a bird.

Another non-bird sighting was this Abert's Squirrel.  I'm still looking for the Abert's Towhee on this trip but, did not know there was a squirrel with the same namesake.

And yes, I did find the Five-striped Sparrow although my best photo opportunity was from about 80 yards away.  I'll revisit this location at least one more time to try to get a better shot.

Today being Cinco de Mayo, I was looking forward to dinner at Manuel's in Sahuarita, AZ.  Manuel's may be my favorite Mexican restaurant.  Imagine my surprise when I found it closed.  Isn't that like closing an Irish pub on St. Patrick's day?

More soon from Southeast Arizona!

I arrived in Phoenix yesterday with the temperature at 94 degrees and regular unleaded gas at $4.18 per gallon.   So, I bolted for Flagstaff as fast as the traffic would allow.  This morning I was on the trail at 6:15am with sunny skies and 41 degrees that warmed to a perfect 72.  And gas at a more reasonable $3.54 out here in the boondocks.  Much better.  

Today's highlights included a trip to Marble Canyon near the Arizona / Utah border to see the endangered California Condors.  Two of them put on a aerial show above the canyon.

Another highlight was adding 7 more species to my life list which now stands at 490.  It has been quite a while since I added that many in one day.  The stunning Red-faced Warbler was a top lifer target for me. 

The 2024 species total grew by 20 today.  So, all in all, an excellent start to the trip. 

The second leg of the 'big trip' kicks off today with a flight to Phoenix where I will be running around Arizona for the next ten days with a target list of about 120 species.  And getting some rest along the way.  Keeping up with two grandsons is exhausting for both parents and grandparents!

Birding in Key West has been quiet with just a few new species logged this week.  This Cape May Warbler offered some nice looks.

The White-crowned Pigeon is a Caribbean species easily found around Key West.

More soon from Arizona!

I ventured to Viera and Orlando Wetlands today in search of Bobolinks and Least Bitterns.  Unfortunately, I came up empty.   However, nesting time provides plenty of opportunities for close looks at birds busily building nests and tending to chicks.  

Roseate Spoonbills - Yes, even the chicks have spoon bills.

Sandhill Cranes - Could have petted these if I had wanted to.

Black-crowned Night Herons - One stick at a time.

I'm not sure what these Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were doing.  They didn't move from this spot the entire hour and a half I was there.

One final note for my buddy Judson.  This is not a bird.  I have learned that unless you're the Alabama Crimson Tide, you leave the gators alone.

Tomorrow... to Key West.