tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post4513671337723388476..comments2024-02-28T16:02:42.157-07:00Comments on Birding Is Fun!: Cruisin' For Birds at the Santa Cruz FlatsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333731452974780237noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-65374380261670157782012-12-18T12:54:05.187-07:002012-12-18T12:54:05.187-07:00Thanks Julie G! You're a trooper for reading t...Thanks Julie G! You're a trooper for reading through the whole thing!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-45021857420575399892012-12-18T09:49:35.957-07:002012-12-18T09:49:35.957-07:00A most fabulous birding adventure, Laurence! I tru...A most fabulous birding adventure, Laurence! I truly enjoyed reading this delightful post. Your passion for birding shines brightly. Congratulations on the Caracara sighting. Super photographs in this post. The water irrigation image with all the birds is very cool. I also loved the gorgeous Vermillion Flycatcher captures. Sweet Pipit close-ups and terrific Mountain Plover shots. All GREAT! Julie G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08552498284012539176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-4754918939137882192012-12-17T13:01:34.990-07:002012-12-17T13:01:34.990-07:00Wow! That's desolate.
But I saw all those supe...Wow! That's desolate.<br />But I saw all those super shots of the Pine Grosbeak too! I wouldn't mind trading a few Plover with you for some of them!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-42624798517732881842012-12-17T08:23:44.486-07:002012-12-17T08:23:44.486-07:00A magical trip, Laurence! Loved reading it and mar...A magical trip, Laurence! Loved reading it and marveled at your brilliant pics of the Vermillion Flycatcher, the Pipit, the Caracaras, the Mountain Plover....It sounds like a birding wonderland whereas here in the northeast it's all frozen and quiet - just the occasional Chicadee - I counted all of two on my 30 min walk yesterday!Hilke Brederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18357741278362930033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-85537873661596881012012-12-16T06:26:45.792-07:002012-12-16T06:26:45.792-07:00Laurence you have fantastic photos of a lot of ver...Laurence you have fantastic photos of a lot of very neat birds. Love the Plovers, and the caracaraDan Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04587246278289468905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-84945198669249414572012-12-15T23:24:29.002-07:002012-12-15T23:24:29.002-07:00Thanks Chris Cheers!
You're right to be wary o...Thanks Chris Cheers!<br />You're right to be wary of the little Plovers. The raptors didn't go extinct after all; they just shrunk down and lost their teeth...but not their bloodlust.<br /><br />Next time you and Kathie are heading up towards Phoenix, we'll have to meet up at Santa Cruz (and anywhere else). I feel very confident in knowing my way around this area now and I bet we'd land both of these specialties and get some good shots too!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-52210998677354955792012-12-15T23:23:03.147-07:002012-12-15T23:23:03.147-07:00Thanks Jeremy!
I had to do some sleuthing for sur...Thanks Jeremy! <br />I had to do some sleuthing for sure, and it's a big area--easy to get discombobulated. I spent enough time there to get a feel for all the rods and connections though, and I'm looking forward to another chance to bird there with others.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-43511150124692914572012-12-15T18:14:40.256-07:002012-12-15T18:14:40.256-07:00Wonderful Laurence:) You nailed it perfectly here....Wonderful Laurence:) You nailed it perfectly here. Tucson is pretty awesome:) This area is extremely fascinating. Only recently, about 2 months ago, did we start covering this area and begin counting birds....Black Vultures, American Pelicans, Meadowlarks, Sparrows.....incredible area full of unique birds. Congrats on the Caracara....still looking for that one. In fact, one day I headed over to find them but had no luck. But the 50 Black Vultures and dead coyote had me distracted:) <br /><br />Just awesome awesome birds you have here today. Kudos and as always, your writing is so much fun.The Mountain Plover is still on my list and that shot up close is absolutely stunning and adorable. Although it's the little ones that can be deadly:) Just look at those little dinos in that Jurassic Park movie:) Sorry...I have an active imagination. Tomorrow we have our Christmas Bird Count.....on the list is the Northern Goshawk....Rohrerbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136631378931478644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-22252873253370837792012-12-15T18:12:32.595-07:002012-12-15T18:12:32.595-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rohrerbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136631378931478644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-20595699171201153732012-12-15T16:20:05.060-07:002012-12-15T16:20:05.060-07:00Impressive photos Laurence! That's closer tha...Impressive photos Laurence! That's closer than I've ever been to the caracaras and plovers, very cool. They're not always easy to find.JMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03891935869709208944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-19202142410283139942012-12-15T14:17:53.594-07:002012-12-15T14:17:53.594-07:00Hey Pat,
There is some really good potential there...Hey Pat,<br />There is some really good potential there for big birds and big groups of birds. I didn't see any flocks 700 strong, but I believe ya!<br /><br />It is important to be mindful of the private property there too and not compromise it while going after the birdies. If it's done right though, Santa Cruz has some great stuff!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-24098090415442274372012-12-15T13:40:22.772-07:002012-12-15T13:40:22.772-07:00I've been there several times, and got good ph...I've been there several times, and got good photos of a Caracara on one occasion. I guess birding from the car makes me an expert fer shure. I hadn't thought about lying on the ground, but then I have never seen any Mountain Plovers there, either. I have seen plenty of other things. You never know what you'll see, because the landscape is constantly changing. Probably the most spectacular thing I have seen is 700 blackbirds all at once. That even raised an eyebrow or two at eBird. Be careful around Baumgardner. The woman who lives on the corner does not like birders, especially around her cattle barn. She used to. But they wore out their welcome. A trip back to the Flats with an experienced birder would be a welcome experience.Pat Goltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02034093879556142742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-89192106482927904792012-12-15T12:08:24.638-07:002012-12-15T12:08:24.638-07:00Thanks Gordon!
It's not often I get good shots...Thanks Gordon!<br />It's not often I get good shots of a lifer the first time around. Good day indeed!<br />Thanks for stopping byLaurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-15650246698870129792012-12-15T12:07:57.795-07:002012-12-15T12:07:57.795-07:00Thanks Tammy.
Mountain Plover and me, we be good ...Thanks Tammy. <br />Mountain Plover and me, we be good buddies now :)Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-58261682107501683022012-12-15T11:23:31.226-07:002012-12-15T11:23:31.226-07:00Great post and love the photos of the Mountain Plo...Great post and love the photos of the Mountain Plovers! A very spectacular day for you!Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13931448617460317916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-49139646650822250012012-12-15T11:09:44.805-07:002012-12-15T11:09:44.805-07:00So many great birds! Congrats on your lifers! The ...So many great birds! Congrats on your lifers! The Mountain Plover is adorable; that's great that you were fast friends and able to get such excellent shots!Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08481372510221914366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-44534711410097662332012-12-15T10:58:21.437-07:002012-12-15T10:58:21.437-07:00Oh yes, I get that look a lot Kathie ;)
I hope you...Oh yes, I get that look a lot Kathie ;)<br />I hope you get chance to go for the Plover soon. Next time you're driving up to Phoenix!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-59220588418218813952012-12-15T10:43:02.754-07:002012-12-15T10:43:02.754-07:00What a wonderful post! I am so jealous of you! I h...What a wonderful post! I am so jealous of you! I have yet to see a mountain plover, but thanks to you I now know where to look! Glad you had such a fun day. Wonderful pictures and story! That pipet seems to be giving you the "come hither look!"Kathie Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10377224759599266209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-91040101680244043222012-12-15T09:40:19.373-07:002012-12-15T09:40:19.373-07:00It was pretty sweet Mia, and I counted 26 in all. ...It was pretty sweet Mia, and I counted 26 in all. Apparently a couple dozen come here every winter. Weird birds...Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-62646527423276374172012-12-15T09:39:39.935-07:002012-12-15T09:39:39.935-07:00Thanks Robert. It was also fun to drive back throu...Thanks Robert. It was also fun to drive back through that area you and I explored last year. We were about 1.5 miles east of the really good spots. So close and yet so far...<br />Anyway, now I'm outfitted to bird this area real good next time you come through!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-10498939873343421752012-12-15T09:37:14.411-07:002012-12-15T09:37:14.411-07:00Cheers Adam, they're one in a (ver)million!Cheers Adam, they're one in a (ver)million!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-37973840260240242702012-12-15T09:14:46.713-07:002012-12-15T09:14:46.713-07:00OMG, a Mountain Plover?? What a super find!OMG, a Mountain Plover?? What a super find!Mia McPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01613385411156245829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-78569732169140878322012-12-15T07:46:57.959-07:002012-12-15T07:46:57.959-07:00Awesome adventure. Great writing. Very cool birds....Awesome adventure. Great writing. Very cool birds. A great birding by car destination. In light of recent tragedies in the news, it was nice to read something to make me smile and remember the good and beauty in the world. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11333731452974780237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-52421120852765241252012-12-15T07:42:25.232-07:002012-12-15T07:42:25.232-07:00My fav is the vermilion My fav is the vermilion Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051255914419363819noreply@blogger.com