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March 19, 2013

Beatnik Birding: Madera Canyon, AZ

by Bryce W. Robinson

It’s no secret that Madera Canyon, AZ is one hell of a spot. What I didn’t expect was to climb out of the desolation of the desert into a cool and lush sky island, full of wildlife. After becoming a bit desert dreary, I felt refreshed entering the high woodlands in search of some new birds. I decided I’d go as high as I could, and start hiking from there.

I’ve become quite entranced by the myths of Trogons that can be seen in this part of the country. I held high hopes for this journey up the canyon, but I came away empty handed. What I did find were a good number of birds that I were firsts for me. Long story short, it was a really great morning in Madera Canyon. The place didn’t disappoint bird-wise.

Yellow-eyed Junco- Junco phaeonotus

Of the throngs of birds I was able to find, I only photographed a few. One of my favorite new birds was the Yellow-eyed Junco. I found a few small flocks, acting just as any junco species does, picking around the ground through the understory. They would notice me, flit to a nearby perch, and look around nervously. These juncos sound quite different than their dark eyed relatives, so when I initially heard them, I knew I was in for something new and good.

Arizona Woodpecker- Picoides arizonae

I was really focused on one bird in particular. I love woodpeckers, and the Arizona Woodpecker is a specialty of these parts that I couldn’t wait to find. I heard the bird first, tippy tapping its way around a small Ponderosa Pine grove. It didn’t take long to locate the brown bird. I think the hikers that passed me wondered why I was elated by this brown woodpecker. I’m sure some understood, but others gave me quizzical glances. I giggled a bit, there’s nothing wrong with that.

Painted Redstart- Myioborus pictus

Another bird to delight both my eyes and my ears was the fire chested Painted Redstart. These birds were all over the riparian areas of the canyon. I really paid attention to their song, and I think I may have it down. Maybe the next time I hear this bird, I will be able to know what I am listening to.

I can say that Madera Canyon was more than I hoped for. On my way out, I stopped by some feeders and saw a brilliant crimson bird that I immediately knew, although I had never seen. Hepatic Tanager! That is what I said aloud, again receiving concerned looks from the general tourists.

I have yet to have any truly in depth and interesting human interactions. I am hoping I meet a like minded birdnerd soon. I’m headed over to the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek area next, where I’m sure I will run into some other nut jobs. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the Elegant Trogon in that area. Hope I find it!

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March 18, 2013

Beatnik Birding Again: Tubac, AZ

by Bryce W. Robinson

REJOICE!

I am on the road and without a home once again!

For the next few months, I will be wandering and watching birds. I’m calling myself beatnik once again for many reasons. I’m traveling, unkempt and without a home, to ride the rhythms of life and honor them. I will be living out of my humble vehicle, which I must say is a good home.

I’m writing at the moment from Tubac, a small town just north of Nogales, in southern Arizona. For birding and many other reasons, this is a very special place. I’ve noticed that I am likely the youngest man in this town, as this is a destination for the seasoned, or retired members of society.

The Tubac Raptor Migration Site

After deciding to hit the road once again, I received council from my friend Jerry Liguori that the spring migration in Tubac was not to be missed, so this became my destination. He planned to go as well. Upon my arrival, I met up Jerry and his wife Sherry, to watch this migration that flows up the river system through town. It was a bit of a surprise to find many others watching as well. As I found out, Bill Clark was leading a workshop with Tuscon Audubon. Meeting him was interesting…

It was nice to be with Jerry watching migrating raptors again. These were different birds however, and I was tasked with learning. Jerry, of course, is the best to learn from. He took the time to share his impressions, and kindly correct my misidentifications. Trial and error, and keen interest in learning is how one becomes a better birder. BUT, with Jerry’s help, my learning curve has been reduced significantly. I still need to watch and soak in each bird for myself, and there is one particular bird that has been a bit difficult to identify at a distance.

Zone-tailed Hawk- Buteo albonatatus

The Zone-tailed Hawk flies with exaggerated dihedral, just like the Turkey Vulture. From afar the two are nearly identical, but as I watch more, the differences are becoming noticeable. I also saw a few other raptors that are new to my eyes. The number of Common Blackhawk that go through this town in spring is the reason for the hoards of birders. It was a great bird to see, and is rather distinctive at a distance.

Gray Hawk- Buteo nitidus

The first few days I had a some distant glimpses at the Gray Hawk, but today a pair was displaying, in courtship, over the trees. The patterning and shape of this bird is so interesting to me. After watching all three hawks, I started to speculate as to why the three desert denizens might have black and white barred tails. I haven’t decided on any conclusions, but my mind will remain on the subject until I do.

Of course there are other birds here besides the raptors, and most are new to me. Birding in the trees near the river, and in the hills outside of town, has been spectacular.

Curve-billed Thrasher- Toxostoma curvirostre

Pyrrhuloxia- Cardinalis sinuatus

As my journey continues I am sure I will have many more things to share, besides the birds. People of the road are part of the journey, and I hope to meet and make many friends. As I wander, watch for me. As always I am heavily bearded, and an obvious example of what is a beatnik birder.

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March 12, 2013

New HawkWatch International Shirts, Featuring My Artwork

by Bryce W. Robinson

HawkWatch International recently released a few shirt designs featuring artwork of mine. My friend Mike Shaw had the great idea for a design that took a field guide type format, and put it on the shirt. The shirts feature two Buteos, the Red-tailed Hawk- Buteo jamaicensis, and the Rough-legged Hawk- Buteo lagopus. These illustrations feature callouts that give the viewer a few key tips at identifying the bird. I love the idea, and the shirts turned out great.

A little background on the development of one shirt, the Red-tailed Hawk, might be interesting to some. I really love this illustration for its purity. While counting the raptor migration last fall on the Goshutes Raptor Migration Site in eastern Nevada, I had plenty of time in the evenings to sit by candle light and draw some of the things I saw that day. This illustration was done at nine thousand feet, on the top of a mountain, in the middle of the magic of migration, by candle light. It makes it more special to me, and I hope those that now know where that illustration was born, might enjoy it all the more. I love things with a story attached.

Here are a few images of the illustration on the mountain:

The inception of the illustration

The result, with a splash of the candle light that helped create the image

If you would like to check out the shirts, or would like to buy any HawkWatch International merchandise follow the link below:

New Shirt Designs Featuring the Art of B William Robinson

HawkWatch International is an incredible organization. I encourage you to support them by purchasing one of their new items. To be transparent, I do not benefit financially from the sales of these shirts. I simply want to see more people joining conservation initiatives. It would be neat to meet someone on the road that I didn’t know from Adam, garnished in one of these shirts, supporting and spreading the good will of conservation, and of course the knowledge and fun of raptor ID.

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March 2, 2013

A Personal Photo First: The Hairy Woodpecker

by Bryce W. Robinson

Not too many mornings ago, I found myself in a mountain home, overlooking a mountain valley, admiring the mountain birds. The home had a large window array on its back end, providing healthy viewing of flitting and such from a host of active birds. Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees sped from tree to tree, about their business. A group of Pine Siskin came and went, and came again. Red-breasted Nuthatches twitched about, nervously checking needles and limbs for food. It was a mountain morning, full of light and life.

The arrival of a woodpecker is always celebrated. Watching from the windows, I saw a black and white bird traveling the trees. This bird was the Downy Woodpecker, a common, but celebrated sight. While watching the small woodpecker, I noticed another. Larger, and about its own business, was the Hairy Woodpecker. Having both in my view was of value. Seemingly identical, it is helpful to watch both at once, bouncing back and forth, analyzing minute differences that set each apart. After you know each bird well, the identification becomes second nature, and the large, long billed Hairy is unmistakable.

This Hairy stayed with me a while. It was intent upon chiseling at the trees to uncover its morning meal. Recognizing a relatively stationary subject among the hustle and bustle of the mountain passerines, I grabbed my camera and went to work,documenting the activity of the Hairy. One thing that has always puzzled me is the mechanics of the drumming woodpecker. How does it prevent damaging its brain while it taps and slams at trees? While pondering this I did notice something, not really remarkable, and rather obvious. Still, I find it neat. Every time the bird strikes the tree it closes its nictitating membrane, shielding its eye from wood shavings.

The Hairy Woodpecker kept about for minutes. I kept at it with my camera as well. It traveled from tree to tree, checking here, picking there, searching and finding and then back at the search again. At times it would check about for any watchers or threats. At these times I caught endearing images of an inquisitive but very serious bird.

Minutes passed and the Hairy Woodpecker flew from view. I then turned back to watch the other birds about their business. I envy those of that mountain home. They have the view, with a back deck overlooking the mountainside. Surrounded by trees, there is no shortage of birds that flit about. I had a terribly fun morning watching, and taking my camera to whatever I saw.

The experience with the Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, foraging side by side, gave me an Idea for an illustration. I have actually felt the desire to do many illustrations comparing like species such as these two Picids. Perhaps soon I will begin a series to highlight like species and discuss similarities and differences between the two. It would surely help me learn many things.

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Tag: wildlife

by Bryce W. Robinson

by Bryce W. Robinson

by Bryce W. Robinson

by Bryce W. Robinson