I did see it, I need to have a full read though!
Yeah, it’s like you just freeze, like, “do I stay and see where it goes or do I attempt to take a closer look?”
Ooh! I’m so jealous, Montezuma Quail are super secretive, good job getting a good photo of one!
thanks it was awesome, if your every down there during summertime go to grassy canyons and walk them, you can find em especially if you head to clanton canyon in the peloncillos
I can tell you, imo they are the hardest regular yr round bird in SE AZ besides maybe ferruginous pygmy owl, don’t let the ebird data fool you ive been down to SE az 5 times in like 4 years and this was the first time
Well I have been enjoying fall migration. Found myself in a few warbler flocks plus I recently got two lifers. I saw two Common nighthawks flying during the morning for the first time! Plus a Merlin which is below.
The lifer.
Blackburnian warbler with a caterpillar.
American redstart tail fanning.
Magnolia warbler.
Black-throated green warbler
Yellow-throated vireo with what looks like a Hickory tussock caterpillar.
Just to show a few! Really had to limit myself here!
Shorebird migration might be the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me
Semipalmated Plover**
Least Sandpiper**
** = Clothes were sacrificed in the taking of these photos.
What is that supposed to mean??
Probably that @whistlingduck was either sprawled flat in sand or mud, or ankle / knee / butt deep in the water. It’s also an occupational hazard when photographing dragonflies. ![]()
Well, here’s the thing. Shorebirds are masters of camouflage. The only way to make them not blend in is to get to their level (which, as you can see from the size of these birds, is pretty low). The reason this works is because if you are out on extensive mudflats, there isn’t going to be any vegetation for quite a while, and with my long lens, it blurs it right out (as you can see with my Semipalmated Plover, with the background being green.)
So yes, as @GothHobbit said, I was army crawling through the mud.
This must go to BEST PHOTOS OF THE WEEK!
Wings of Power!
Seriously, probably flutters around more than is necessary… Observation at https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/312489732.
These are incredible photos! Sounds like you worked hard to get them!
amazing photos, love shorebirds sm
I agree!
Ah, right! I’ve never army crawled through mud or sacrificed clothes, except when I was really little, but I think my brother would know what that’s like!
Bet that neither you or your brother ever thought that Army Basic had a birding-transferable skill set! ![]()
Mud can washed of. Army crawling through dense thorny bramble? I’ve lost 4 shorts and 1 raincoat to that, add well as countless scars. Worth it tho!
I have not lost, but teared, a shirt while crawling through a fence.
I saw 13 Broadwing hawks today! Right now is their migration time!









