righteffort, Author at the right effort

Warblers!

October 13, 2020September 26, 2020Posted in Birds, blogging, photographyTagged birds, Townsend's warblerLeave a comment

Do you know how many warblers there are!?! In this SW USA area and those also migrating through, I count more than 20 warblers. It is no wonder I am overwhelmed when trying to simply identify one! Thankfully a good photograph allows me the chance to narrow down which of the many warblers I am actually looking at in the moment.

I am looking at the bird thinking, is it rufous-capped, blue or yellow headed? Actually I am not thinking any of that because I do not even realize the warbler’s head comes with such variation. Instead I am focused on whether the bird is red or yellow faced with a split eye-ring or not and if its eyebrow is narrow white or tapering pale yellow. Only if I have my binoculars focused on the bird at the right angle may I even see any of that, while wishing I had my camera focused too to capture a photo.

A townsend’s warbler, according to the field guides, “actively gleans insects from the canopy” so for the photographer it means the bird will be bouncing around in the tree and it may be possible to get a clear photo. This warbler is one of the easier ones to identify because I relate its look to one wearing a black mask. The field guide states “dark ear patch outlined in yellow”. A hermit warbler is another warbler migrating through our area. Recent genetic studies show the hermit warblers are being absorbed by townsend’s warblers. When entering ones bird sighting into eBird the hybrid is an option, and here I had just learned the 2 birds so I am sure to not know if I am even seeing a hybrid!

I can identify a Wilson’s warbler, red-faced warbler and maybe a yellow-dumped warbler, but then I am more than stumped with any others. I remind myself not to give up. I will continue to look for warblers and take notice of each rump, undertail, flank, throat, eyebrow, eye-ring, and face with hope of identifying more of them. In the meantime, I am happy with the townsend’s warblers recently migrating through our local mountain forest for me to see, identify and photograph!

Watching Wildlife

October 11, 2020October 9, 2020Posted in UncategorizedTagged birdsLeave a comment

The more time I spend with my photography the more I realize the time taken to watch wildlife pays off in also providing me time to think about my camera settings. At some point all may become second nature, but a recent outing did challenge me, photographically speaking.

My goal was to set my tripod in a waterway area where the elusive virginia rail may appear. I know from other bird reports, this shy bird is in the area and actually a resident, yet I have never seen it. While picking my hopeful spot I photographed the flame skimmer, a common dragonfly.

While still trying to locate the rail I moved along a trail listening to some birds scurrying around, and in, cattails and other reeds. I do not think I was bothering them, but no luck in seeing a rail, even after silently standing and waiting awhile. I understand the rail will hide in reeds if it feels disturbed.

I moved to a pond and watched a variety of birds preening their feathers. No doubt 4:00pm is time for personal care! I observed a pied-billed grebe for the longest amount of time because I usually see it as it dives for food and need to guess where it will re-emerge. This time it preened its feathers for at least 15 minutes. One thing I came to realize, it does eat some of the aquatic insects and food caught in its feathers while also preening. That makes sense since in its dive the feathers are capturing some of the water’s contents. I love the eyes of a pied-billed grebe so it was easy to stay watching this bird.

Others in the pond were American wigeons, green-winged teal, American coots, many mallards and blue-winged teal. All seemed content to preen.

With not the best quick changes of my camera settings, I did grab a photo of a ladder-backed woodpecker just above me, a black phoebe off to my left and a mallard flying overhead. I have so much to learn about bird photography, but thankfully I just love watching wildlife too.

Looking forward to another day outdoors and watching wildlife! I hope you too can enjoy the outdoors in a way that makes you happy.

September Migrant Flies By

October 10, 2020September 20, 2020Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, writingTagged birds, Hammond's flycatcherLeave a comment

After considerable time spent trying to identify this bird, I believe it is a Hammond’s Flycatcher. Is that eye ring oval enough; is the bill short and dark; does it have a small, bull-head … whatever that means … to confidently identify this bird correctly? I know for sure it is a flycatcher, one of 17, and not the boxy-headed vermilion flycatcher which I see all the time here in SW Arizona as it is a resident at my elevation!

While this flycatcher can be seen from Alaska, USA to Nicaragua on its potential migration route, it is known to be in winter at elevations between 3000 – 5500 feet in my area. Now that I have added this bird to my life list, I will keep my eyes open when on the mountain roads this winter and look forward to its return in the spring.

What a Lovely Plant! Is It?

October 7, 2020September 19, 2020Posted in UncategorizedTagged poison ivyLeave a comment

For years I have been trying to learn the flora of the SW desert. I have pretty much given up unless it is the beautiful saguaro cactus or a few wildflowers. My energies to learn anything has been with the birds and about birds.

Recently I was in the “sky island” area of Mount Lemmon, north of Tucson. I purposely walked up a steep neighborhood road and when back down I decided to walk a path parallel to the main town road. All of a sudden I was saying to myself, what a lovely green healthy-looking plant, especially as it was among dried grasses.

As I moved closer to it, I realized this plant looked vaguely familiar! Oh yes, I believe this is western poison ivy, until one of my fellow naturalists tells me differently! So lush and and as a low-growing shrub at the side of this walking path, unlike the poison ivy I recognized in the east as a vine. I wondered how many people will identify and keep away from it since this plant does grow in this area.

In reading about western poison ivy, I learned with increased greenhouse gases this plant will grow faster. This is not good news for us humans since the plant would grow faster and produce more urushiol, the oily mixture which causes some of us an awful allergic skin rash. If our world does get warmer in the future, as predicted, more of this plant will be here. (Always a good idea to wear long pants when in the woods.)

I am providing a closer look at this plant so you can decide for yourself if it is western poison ivy. So far my apps are stating it is, but I will keep an eye on this plant next year and also look for its flowers, etc to know for sure since no doubt it will be there next year!

Cyclists & Pedestrians Counted!

October 4, 2020September 19, 2020Posted in bicycling, Bike paths, blogging, walkingTagged bicycling, Tucson, walkingLeave a comment

It’s an interesting piece of equipment on the bicycle loop in Tucson. It records the number of cyclists and pedestrians, which would include roller-bladers, joggers, runners, along with walkers all passing the counter each day and provides totals for the year. This is definitely one of the busier spots where people are on the loop. Kudos to all using this multi-use path! (You may even see some wildlife while out there. I bet the roadrunner wished to be counted!)

Our Country is Burning!

October 1, 2020September 17, 2020Posted in blogging, writingTagged Bighorn wildfire, WildfiresLeave a comment

I was thinking about the wildfires burning millions of acres in the western USA right now as I noticed a sign while walking a road in the town of Summerhaven, Arizona. Seventeen years ago this town burnt down due to a wildfire and 4 months ago the Bighorn wildfire once again threatened the town. Everyone in the town was evacuated for weeks and forest trails will remain closed till November.

Water and retardant dropped on areas during the Bighorn fire.

Almost 120,000 acres burned here and now millions of acres are burning in Washington, Oregon and California. Why is our country burning? A whole host of things contribute to the issue. With increased greenhouse gas emissions, there are warmer temperatures drying organic material. Droughts add to the increase of dry vegetation thus fuel for fires. Strong winds and lighting strikes add to the increased size of wildfires.

Controlled burns help and so do homeowner assist programs such as being stated here on this sign:

More people are building in wilderness areas, power lines are above ground and people are not safely putting out campfires and/or participating in creating defensible space. Wind and lightning will continue, but we do need to reduce the fuel a fire survives on. We also should be concerned about the drought affecting so many areas in the west and southwest. All wildfires leave us with devastation of communities along with air and water pollution. The economics and social implications are huge as people try to return, rebuild, and survive never knowing if they will be met with support and success.

As we look to the future, we need to research and support programs addressing greenhouse issues with alternative methods. A closer look should be taken of our own backyard and local neighborhood to ascertain if we could have a wildfire, flooding or other natural disaster concern and what we can do now to prevent it. There is scientific information available so we can be pro-active in understanding and preparing for whatever concern we may have.

While today I am talking about our country burning, we should also think about why coastline areas are flooding. When will we think and do something so we have less loss of life and property? Should we build in the wilderness, on a flood plain, or along a coastline? What can we do now to help ourselves and plan for future building zones or whatever else is needed? Much of our country is burning and we all should be concerned!

Tropical Kingbird …

September 28, 2020September 17, 2020Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

To view a variety of birds one must get outdoors in different environments. After being in a mountainous wooded area, I decided to check a park’s field in Tubac, AZ. Surprise, a tropical kingbird flies by and my camera was available to snap some photos!

Then the bird flew back to perch on the fence. I wondered what caught its attention …

Is that another insect for me to fly after and catch?

Visit San José de Tumacácori

September 25, 2020September 17, 2020Posted in blogging, history, photography, TravelTagged history, O'odham, Tumacácori1 Comment

Tumacácori is a park preserving a Spanish mission ruin where you can also walk to the Santa Cruz River and two trailheads of the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail on the park boundary. During this COVID pandemic, rules are listed at the entrance and certain areas, such as visitor center, are not open. Yet one can walk the property and feel its history.

Tumacácori is one of 24 missions founded by Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, an advocate for the O’odham native people and spreader of the Catholic faith. As the O’odham people rebelled against Spain a military post was built in Tubac for Spain to protect its interests. Plenty of history to be understood and realized here and fortunately the National Park Service has an informative pamphlet available to help one understand it.

Walking the property, you’ll see fruit trees at the heritage orchard, water ditch, the church built during the 1800’s, a cemetery, lime kiln and courtyard. I also spent time in front of the place where there is a butterfly garden. A “monarch waystation” with flowers which truly attract many butterflies this time of year! This is a park worth visiting and I am sure when the visitor center is open to show displays and videos it will even be better.

Here are some photos from my visit:

The mission church and grounds at Tumacácori.

Inside the church (2 photos), a door knob touched thousands of times,
and the adobe brick construction with a plaster fora smooth wall look.

Paths to walk, a courtyard, remains of a water ditch, and a cemetery.

Another view of the church and Santa Rita Mountains beyond.

Vote! Here is how to do it …

September 22, 2020September 17, 2020Posted in blogging, writingTagged elections, voteLeave a comment

If you are unsure about what you need to do to vote, then discover what you need to know at the Better Know A Ballot link:
https://www.betterknowaballot.com/

This site will provide you with the needed information. It has details specific for every state in the USA so it will be informative for your needs.

Everyone needs to vote. There is no excuse not to vote.
Here is the link: https://www.betterknowaballot.com/

Click on the link above, be informed and VOTE!

Love is Carried on the Wind

September 19, 2020September 17, 2020Posted in blogging, writingTagged love2 Comments

My sister, mom and friend celebrate September birthdays and I am physically thousands of miles away from them. I don’t speak of love 365 days a year, but I would hope each knows my heart feels for them everyday.

My daily routine includes meditative moments where I send positive energy. Most recent for my sister, mom and friend I hope my positive energy radiates to each of you for your day’s activity to be somewhat eased or your personal struggles to be lessened. When we live in the moment of hope and positivity a birthday celebration can be enjoyed with all near and far.

Think of my love being carried on the wind and you are wrapped around on all sides by that wind; that is my loving hug to you as you celebrate your special day. Live in that moment and know you are loved. Happy birthday!