Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Saying Good-bye to Arizona Birds


In a little less than a month I will be on my way back to the Northeastern United States. When I moved back to Tucson 18 months ago I thought we were here for good, but life is like that. It throws you curve-balls and keeps you on your toes! Living in Maine again will be quite different from Arizona in so many ways, but there will be even more excitement for me this time as we are actually moving to the coast of Maine! I have never lived on the coast, so this will be my first time. I am so looking forward to setting up my feeders and going for walks to see what I can see. It will be a new adventure in birding for me, and a challenging one as well as I set out to learn more shore birds and gulls! Perhaps I will finally get my chance to see an Atlantic Puffin! But for now, I am saying Good-bye to my Arizona birds. I am trying to get around to see as many of them as possible before I go. I feel so blessed to have lived here and to have had the opportunity to bird here. These are just a few of the species I have seen in the few years I have lived here and I will miss them all. Since I still have family and friends here, I know I will be back to visit and perhaps see some of these wonderful birds once again. 

All of the birds pictured below I will NOT be able to see in Maine!

Gambel's Quail in my Sycamore Canyon Yard 3-2-2009

Mexican Jay in Madera Canyon 1-9-2009

Vermilion Flycatcher, the symbol of Tucson Audubon in Reid Park 1-13-13

Yellow-eyed Junco in Madera Canyon 3-6-2013

Rufous-winged Sparrow at Tumacacori Mission 1-13-2013

Orange-crowned warbler at Tumacacori Mission 1-13-2013

Canyon Towhee in Saguaro National Park 3-10-2013

Canyon Wren in Christmas, AZ 8-2-2013

Bendire's Thrasher on the Santa Cruz Flats 1-19-2013

Black-throated Sparrow, Saguaro National Park 3-10-2013

An out-of-season Cassin's Kingbird at Reid Park in Tucson 1-1-2013

Gila Woodpecker in Saguaro National Park-Rincon Mountain Unit 3-10-2013

Neotropic Cormorant at Boyce Thompson Arboretum 3-18-2013

Botteri's Sparrow on the road to Madera Canyon 5-30-2013


Common Blackhawk in Tubac, AZ 3-12-2013


Phainopepla at Michael Perry Park in Tucson 2-15-2013


Black-tailed Gnatcatcher in Michael Perry Park 2-25-2013

Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet at Agua Caliente Park in Tucson 9-4-2013


Rock Wren in Saguaro National Park-Rincon Mountain Unit 1-31-2013


Broad-billed Hummingbird in the Catalina Foothills 4-23-2013


Least Grebe in Pena Blanca Lake 7-7-2013

Mexican Spotted Owls in Miller Canyon 3-23-13 

Western Bluebird in Sedona, AZ 11-11-2013

Band-tailed pigeon in my Tucson backyard, 9-29-13

Kathiesbirds in Madera Canyon 1-13-2008. I was a fledgling eBirder then!

So, Good-bye my fine feathered friends, 
I've had a fine time watching you!


So, come visit me at Kathie's Birds where my birding adventures will continue!

24 comments:

  1. Hi Kathie, Your images are stunning, astounding & astonishing. You will miss Arizona for certain.Have a great time in Maine. Best Wishes Ram

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    1. Thank you Ram! I will find birds wherever I am!

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  2. Such a beautiful assortment of lovely birds. Well at least for some of these you will get same family, different species and we will look forward to your future entries. I loved my 1 day ;) on the coast of Maine! Whole Maine lobster I could have it every day~

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    1. Mary, you response is posted below. Apparently I hit the wrong button!

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  3. HI Katie What a wonderful selection of beautiful birds you have shown us and great memories for you to keep always. Now you are starting on a new adventure, new places to go, new birds to see, how exciting. All the best and I look forward to seeing and hearing about your new birds.

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  4. A superb collection Kathie.
    Moving to the coast you will be able to collect some gulls and waders in the book.
    Good luck with identifying the gulls.{:))

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    1. Roy, don't you know it! Thinking of trying to ID gulls is already giving me a headache!

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  5. Mary Howell Cromer, thank you! I look forward to Maine and being on the coast. Though I have lived in Maine before, it has never been on the coast. As a native New Englander, I love seafood, but not lobster! clams and scallops are my favorites! My husband likes lobster though, and there will be plenty of that around! I can't wait to get there now, though I am enjoying the warmth and sunshine here before I go!

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  6. Kathie, I have so enjoyed reading about your Arizona birding adventures and viewing your wonderful photographs over the last year and a half! You have seen some amazing birds out west. Looking forward to hearing about your bird sightings in Maine! Great variety and gorgeous photographs in this post!

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    1. Julie, as you know by now, I am having lots of Birding Fun!

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  7. Sorry to lose you Maine, Kathie, but puffins are pretty darned cool! Can't wait to see your pics of them. Come back to see us any time!

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    1. Thank you Field Guide! You never know when I might return!

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  8. Sorry to hear you are leaving this part of the world, I hope you enjoy Maine. I look forward to see what birds you find in Maine.

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  9. Simply incredible photos of incredible birds! I'm heading to Arizona in March to try to see some of these and can't wait. I wish you the best in your move and hope find some of the great northern birds.

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    1. Josh, Thank You! and I already know you found some good birds while you were there! Sorry I missed you!

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  10. Good luck with the Puffins (charismatic birds) and shorebirds, and the move, Kathie. Some beautiful birds you've shared from Tucson, and I look forward to what you share from Maine, where hopefully it will be a little warmer soon!

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    1. Happy Wanderer, it not only got warm, it got hot and humid! Lots of good birds in Maine, though!

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  11. Kathie, what a great review of your lovely Arizona birds. I have enjoyed your post and reading about your birding trips with Chris. I will look forward to seeing more post from your new place! Have a happy weekend!

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  12. Great selection of photos! I'm pretty sure you'll be seeing Orange-crowned Warblera in migration over in Maine though...

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    1. Reid, you think so? I would probably doubt myself as it would seem so out of place!

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