Animals Archives

Nature Journaling: Agua Caliente in August

August 24, 2025August 8, 2025Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, environment, wildlife, writingTagged birds, nature journaling2 Comments

Nature journaling can be done however you wish and whenever you wish. My initial thought was to return with my nature journal to Agua Caliente Park in Tucson in the fall. However, my recent walk allowed me to see three brown-crested flycatchers.

Brown-crested flycatchers are here in southern Arizona in the summer. I heard their call, believing I knew their call, and kept looking for them. Finally I saw the butt-ends of them on a branch! Crazily I am asking them to turn around so I can be sure of my observation and identification. No quick accommodation was provided me! Interestingly they were holding their wings out to be in a cooling pose. Here I was wishing I had brought my camera to photograph this scene … and then, the larger bird, dove for something and returned to the branch. Ah yes, it was what I thought … brown-crested flycatcher!

With a small young one present I wondered if I could find their nest. I did not. All birds in the mid-summer, mid-day heat were not moving fast so I had plenty of time to observe the 2 on the branch and another one flying in the area. I sketched and added some colored ink to the drawings. Nothing is accurate, but a reminder that the birds were here in August.

Another bird, cactus wren, I wanted to include here since I had not seen it last month. Supposedly here during the year, I don’t always catch sight of them. This month though, I did! The usual vermilion flycatchers were enjoying the hot day, but others not so much. As a result, I had to look into grassed-over wetland areas and thickets. By the time I was done I saw 15 different species! Will be back in the fall and see what I observe then. Till then, stay cool and hydrated … humans and birds!

Walking a Wash/Riparian Area for Birds

August 14, 2025August 8, 2025Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, environment, wildlifeTagged Arizona, birds, Nature, Tucson, water, wildlifeLeave a comment

A wash is more obviously a riparian area when water is in it. However, in the desert that doesn’t happen often enough! Actually when the monsoon is truly heavy with rain water, the wash overflows and floods the local road. I love when that happens. The desert needs the rain. But on this day, we are walking in a very dry, sandy wash! It’s an early morning birding adventure. Our goal is to observe birds before the air temperatures climb to a triple digit! Let’s get out of the wash before then!

I love birding with other people and a guide who almost always knows more than the rest of the group. So many human eyeballs looking for birds! The birds were smartly hiding within the tree leaves as the crazy humans looked for them while standing in sun or shade, yeah, when available.

When you first look at a wash, such as the one we were at, one can wonder if we will see any bird. Yet we did see! Twenty-eight different species of birds were seen, 106 individual birds! I was fortunate too to have observed a bird new to me, a rufous-winged sparrow! A new bird for my life list!

I loved having access to our guide’s viewing scope to get a great look at a blue grosbeak, lark sparrow and bullock’s oriole. While I have very good binoculars, these observations went to the next level. Plus having the guide’s expertise in knowing exactly what the bird was that we were viewing in the scope.

We had a productive 2 hour morning and then on our way to air-conditioning and cool drinks! Heat exhaustion and dehydration are real concerns with our latest hot weather, so 2 hours was plenty for us. The birds seem to find places to escape the heat and enjoy water features since our monsoon has not provided rain for wildlife. Hope it rains soon!

Final note: we don’t only observe birds. Some of us check out plants. Often we’ll see lizards and on this day there was a king snake crawling across the trail:

Nature Journal Your Backyard!

July 31, 2025July 26, 2025Posted in Animals, Artwork, blogging, environment, wildlife, writingTagged Arizona, journaling, Nature, wildlife4 Comments

Nature is happening just on the other side of your window. Why not take note of the life happening out there? Your journal could be a written list of your observations. Or a sketch, a painting, an audio file …however you wish to record your observations. Next year you may compare this year’s observations with that. I suspect some people have numerous years of observations recorded in some fashion and compare a year to another for a location or another.

Or you could step outside! Whether it is your backyard, your front yard, or a favorite local area, you could journal what you observe there. It need not be every day. Maybe once a month. Possibly when you notice plenty of activity at a time. Or a compilation of what you had seen during the month. It’s your decision: when, how, where … I encourage you to enjoy the activity, whatever you choose.

Our backyard has busy days with birds and other wildlife running through. So I simply try to capture the various animals beyond our usual birds. If I was real ambitious I would be sketching some of the plants finally blooming! But, my goal is to combine some personal relaxation time with sketching time and enjoy what critters are in our backyard. Here’s a bit of what happened in July in our backyard:

I thought of adding watercolor paint, but I really don’t want to complicate my goal … especially my relaxed state. This is also my usual tea time … 10:30am … and it’s all for fun! I hope I do look back on this page next July … that would be very cool! Are you taking time for yourself to enjoy moments in nature?

Nature Journal for July 2025

July 24, 2025July 20, 2025Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, environment, Plants, wildlife, writingTagged birds, Nature, travel, Tucson, wildlifeLeave a comment

Nature, the animals, plants and world around each, is a joy for me. Thus, I spend time whenever I can in nature. Recently I decided I should journal some of the observations made while I am in nature. Maybe even chronicle some locations on a regular basis. Here is my first nature journal from a local park, Agua Caliente in Tucson, Arizona this month. As my nature journal grows, I’ll see what I discover about nature and my art with hopes you’ll find something interesting too!

Colorado: What’s Not to Love!?! Part 1

July 10, 2025June 26, 2025Posted in adventure travel, Animals, bicycling, blogging, Travel, writingTagged bicycling, Nature, travel, wildlifeLeave a comment

Colorado is the state I chose to, once again, drive through as I return to Arizona. This time to explore areas outside of Colorado Springs, Salida, Durango and Cortez.

For starters, I had a Harvest Host night at a brewery in downtown Colorado Springs! Great beer, easy walking the downtown area and time spent chatting with a couple from State College, PA. They left early the next morning to complete the Manitou Incline. I wish I was in shape to even think of accomplishing that!

A great day for bicycling in Colorado Springs: started on the New Santa Fe Trail from the E. Woodmen/Edmondson Trailhead. Wow, the altitude and heat made for a shortened bike ride. Another day, I visited the Fountain Creek Nature Center and took a bicycle ride at the Fountain Creek Regional Park. Very nice trail and a well – done nature center … worth a visit. (I saw a red-headed, 2.5 foot long snake… still not sure what it was!)

Drove along the Arkansas River and watched people rafting. If I had one more day here, I would have signed up for a rafting trip. Two of my Salida friends were not available, but I did catch up with my friend in Poncha Springs! Great fun for a couple of days. Bicycled on a trail in Salida, cycled right in for lunch, and watched surfers on the “standing wave” downtown. Amazing balance to ride that wave!

Surfing on the “standing wave” in the river is a challenge!

My ride from Poncha Springs to Colorado City was through the San Isabel National Forest. It rained and hailed!! The few vehicles on the road were driving half the normal speed limit. Thank you! Crazy weather! Next day, beautiful!

I stayed at a KOA, Kampgrounds of America, for 2 nights and the day in-between was a “No Drive” day. I got distracted doing too many things in the morning, so by the time I got on my bicycle it was hot. Throwing in a lunch stop was enough motivation to at least do a few miles in this altitude. I’m getting better but the heat does not help me.

Couple of Harvest Host nights … Pagosa Springs area and then Cortez … with a drive through Durango. Interesting to see how this area has changed! We had a bicycle tour across southern Colorado decades ago. We cycled from Cortez to Alamosa. Beautiful country in Colorado and it still is. But the crowds of people, developed land, and overall congestion made me wonder where it was we cycled years ago!

Before arriving in the congestion and construction traffic of Pagosa Springs, I enjoyed a short hike to Treasure Falls.

My Harvest Host location was outside of Pagosa Springs at a ranch. I am parked in their pasture with the cows just over there, goats walking toward me, and a couple of killdeer squawking as if I am to close to their nest. A deer is running across the nearby hill. It is silent here, except for the wind that continues to blow and I see a distant plane. Will check out the stars in a few hours as this is the best open sky! Good night!

My view … in silence … and wildlife stopping by …

NY Family and Friend Time

June 1, 2025June 3, 2025Posted in Animals, Artwork, blogging, Travel, writingTagged Family, travelLeave a comment

When I travel toward the east coast, I am looking for new places to explore and then to finally land a visit with family and friends. I love being on the move seeing new things and looking for new birds for my eBird life list.

I did arrive at one my sister’s home. She has alpacas. Unfortunately the weather was not to cooperate for a good shearing day while I was visiting. It would have been interesting to see the process … but rain forced a reschedule with the shearers. I know it is a tremendous amount of work and wet alpaca fiber would be a nightmare. My sisters also have their usual cats and dogs animals, but the latest addition is this energetic puppy:

Eyes are under the bangs of this energetic dog!

Always fun to visit with my sisters, a brother-in-law, and a long time friend who joined us for dinner. So many things to talk about! Where do the years go? Who can remember all the activities we did while also working full-time? Are we all enjoying retirement and how do we each do it? Lots of discussion.

While visiting my mom, there also were many things to talk about. Older citizens have a perspective worth listening to and discussing as we look to the future. My mom was a traveler in her younger days and we always count the number of countries outside of the USA that we have visited. Maybe I just edged her out this year. It fascinates me to see that my mom loves mountaineering films. Now she has to watch Free Solo! I met up with neighbors and my mom’s friends; also enjoyed some meals out. Appreciated a visit from a nephew. I was also encouraging my mom to view You Tube art lessons. We watched this video probably four times and then saw this basic instruction to draw a rose:

I’ll continue my travel and visit other friends in upstate NY before I head to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Miles to go before I sleep or head home.

Alpacas, Snow and Beer … Never A Dull Moment!

May 11, 2025April 30, 2025Posted in adventure travel, Animals, Birds, blogging, environment, Mountains, Travel, wildlife, writingTagged alpacas, Nature, snow, travel, wildlifeLeave a comment

Travel continued; my upcoming days uneventful, thankfully. I enjoyed a night at a Harvest Host location. Alpacas are the most calming animals, so I spent time chatting with them upon my arrival. Then had a good night sleep at this location.

Weather reports were for snow where I would travel through a mountain pass in a few hours in New Mexico into Colorado. I hadn’t packed my ice scraper on this trip since I was leaving weeks later than past years. Off to an auto store and luckily they had one long-handled scraper and brush. Better to have one and not need it, then to think a credit card could scrape my huge van windshield!

I drove through snow. Despite reports of low visibility, I got through the mountain pass fine. About 5 inches of snow had fallen as I drove through. The next morning I did have ice on my windshield. Fortunately I parked my van so solar energy could melt the ice by the time I ate breakfast, took a walk at the campground … observed killdeer and other birds, like a beautiful western meadowlark, at this site!

I love mountains. Seeing snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains was wonderful! So fitting also as I was listening to an audiobook: Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman, MD. It brought back my memories of travel in Tibet, China and trekking in Nepal to Everest Base Camp so many decades ago. (If you follow mountaineering expeditions, this is a good book to read.)

I stopped at Fountain Creek Regional Park to take a driving break. I walked some of the trails; no snow here! This park and nearby nature center needs to be a future stop. There are plenty of trails and a nature center to visit. Another Harvest Host location for the night. Enjoyed dinner with a beer and talking with fellow travelers from Wisconsin. Great conversation! Now to enjoy 3 days and hopefully bicycle ride. If not, then to at least hike and take a break from driving!

Trail by creek and many trails from here. A beaver came up here from the creek?

Birds Need Road to Recovery, Part 2

April 27, 2025April 27, 2025Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, environment, Travel, wildlifeTagged birds, conservation, Nature, wildlife2 Comments

Birds are declining in population … some faster than others… thus we need to be aware of the issue. Google “state of the birds” or click here or here for two different websites to learn more about the action we should be taking. I appreciated the awareness with an artist who made me aware of the various organizations compiling the information. I continued on with 2 more art pieces for the art project and here they are: Rufous hummingbird is a beauty:

Pinyon jay is not as often seen as the Steller’s jay, and now I know why!

I was on a roll and added more birds!

Before I get on the road and do some traveling, I decide to look for a few of my favorite birds and see what their status is. I traipsed all over California to find an American oystercatcher. Here is learn it is at the “yellow” alert. This means a large loss of over 50%, but now stable as population has increased over the last 3 generations. It still does require conservation efforts.

The pyrrhuloxia can be seen on few occasions in our backyard, but it is “orange” alert. Apparently there has been a loss of over 75% and still over the next 3 generations. We need to be concerned.

Finally, I love loons. So I checked in on the yellow-billed loon. This is a bird I spent hours looking for while in California. I caught a glimpse and a photo of it while it spent time diving. Unfortunately, this bird is “red” alert. Low population, high vulnerability and population is steeply declining. I surely dd not want to read that information, but now I know!

Birds to be concerned about as I love them!

Bird habitats must be protected. Appreciate the farmers and ranchers who keep their lands open and available for birds to land, reseat and then fly on; greenways are important. We need to not use lead bullets, a cause for California condor and other bird deaths. During bird migration, turn your outdoor lights off so birds are not confused by the light. Add window treatments to your windows so birds do not fly into your windows at home or work.

I am sure there are many more things we can be doing, along with supporting the agencies that are doing the conservation work day in and day out. When I am in a place and I hear not one single bird, it is almost eerie … and then a bird flies in … yes, we haven’t lost the birds! When you think about it … birds need air and land, just as you and I … let’s protect it all for the living things on this earth!

Bird Strikes at Window! Let’s Prevent Them.

April 24, 2025April 2, 2025Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, environment, safety, wildlife, writingTagged birds, Nature, wildlife, window strikesLeave a comment

A leading cause of birth deaths in North America is window strikes. Almost a half million to a billion birds die from window collisions every year in the USA alone. Birds see what they think is real habitat for them, yet it is a window reflection and not where they should head. Or a transparent glass can create a false appearance of a way for a bird to fly through to another spot. Light can also distract and confuse birds, especially during migration seasons.

Home owners can help protect birds. Here are some ideas:

Break up the reflections by installing external screens or blinds.
Do not put feeders within 3 feet of your window.
Shield outdoor light and direct the light to where it is needed.
Create designs on reflective or transparent windows … here are some ideas:

Since single decals on a window do not deter birds, it is important to space window designs.

Purchase dotted tape/decal designs or create your own with dots such as those below. Space them 2” by 2” apart.

Space these dots on your window 2 inches apart.

2. Painting a design on your window with tempera paint allows you to be creative. You can use bar soap or chalk markers and switch to match holidays.

3. Collidescape tape can be put onto the exterior of your window glass. Or hanging cords, string, or ribbons at least 1/8 inch in width and spaced 2 inches apart.

After noticing where birds are striking our window, we placed these decals and have had no bird window strikes. I actually did see a bird flying toward the window with the 2 decals and veer off to not strike the window. Then I knew this was a great idea for our windows.

These are placed in an area where birds more often flew into. No longer!

You can make a difference! Please make your windows visible to birds by strike-proofing your windows! If you want more info, check out tucsonaudubon.org/window-strikes The birds and I thank you!

Artful End to My Ecuadorian Visit

April 6, 2025March 31, 2025Posted in Animals, Artwork, Birds, blogging, environment, Travel, wildlifeTagged Amazon, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Nature, rainforest, sketches, travel4 Comments

Travel memories are held within ones’ mind, photos, writings, and/or possibly their art. And as we know art can take many forms. For me I enjoy sketching, and with some trepidation I approach watercolor paint for added color in my sketches. And so it has happened with my latest international trip to Ecuador. Some art work to bring back great memories as I look upon a sketch.

Some sketches are on a page for the Amazon rainforest period of the trip and another for the Galapagos Islands. The trip as a whole was a wonderful experience, despite my failing snorkeling attempt. Will a third snorkeling attempt be the charm of success? Time will tell.

In the meantime, here were my sketches … as you also remember I am a budding artist … or am trying!:)

Did you miss my Ecuadorian travel in this blog? You can read about my school visit in the Amazon here. Or visit with an Ecuadorian family who live in the Amazon here. Then follow the posts after these for more time I had at the Galápagos Islands. Or plan a future trip for yourself and visit Ecuador!