Southeast Arizona - I

After returning from Texas last April, I had only a few weeks at home before I lit out again, this time for southeast Arizona!  I rejoined Bill Drummond and the rest of the gang for a week and a half exploring the mountains, canyons, and deserts just this side of the Mexican border.  Another thrilling adventure, and I had my camera along with me...I'll be posting all my photographs in four separate installments.  Here is the first set of photos from my first few days in Arizona.  Thanks for looking!  Click on any photo for a larger, clearer view.

We were hoping to find a Gilded Flicker, so when this one flew by, we all slammed on our brakes and pulled over!

She landed on a saguaro nearby.

Are are these holes her handiwork?

How nice for her to reveal her eponymous "gilded" underwing!

Western Wood-Pewee, posing

Can we see the back?

Who doesn't love an Acorn Woodpecker?

Hutton's Vireo

Arizona Sister, topside

And here's another Arizona Sister, this time from the underside!

This is a female Yarrow's Spiny Lizard.

In the US, they're found only in southeast Arizona, so this was a cool find.

The males are more colorful.  I wonder if I could find one?

Ahhh, there's a colorful male, munching on a morning snack!

Another male Yarrow's Spiny Lizard, basking on a rock

Love that blue

House Wren singing

Another House Wren

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, an Arizona specialty

Grace's Warbler

Hermit Thrush, much grayer than the ones back home in Massachusetts

Sonoran Spotted Whiptail

Another lizard found only in southeast Arizona

Bronzed Cowbird, looking maniacal

He's playing a Dementor in the next Harry Potter movie.

Mojave Rattlesnake!

Many experts call the Mojave Rattlesnake the most dangerous snake in North America, and one of the most venomous snakes in the entire western hemisphere!

Don't worry, I was very careful.

There was a flurry of White-throated Swifts flying overhead.

I was lucky to get a few shots off.

I've never seen the face of a swift before!

He looks kind of mean.

Amazingly agile fliers

We found this Northern Pygmy-Owl hanging out near his tree cavity home.

And then he flew up the hill to devour a mouse he had caught!

You can see the fine white spotting on the top and sides of his head.

He caught me spying, but that didn't slow him down.

He chomped down on his lunch for fifteen minutes or so, unperturbed.

A small but deadly predator

Finally, we were thrilled to cross paths with this bizarre looking beast!

It's an Antelope Jackrabbit, found only in Arizona!

I assure you, this is a real animal.  I didn't imagine this!