Tag Archives: roadrunner

Friday Photos

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Red and Mrs. have reappeared in my yard after taking off for eight days after our vacation to Northern California. I was so distressed, but now relieved that they’ve returned.

Here are a few of my favorite photos that I took this week:

Mrs. at the birdseed block with doves and a sparrow.

A Roadrunner has been hanging out in our backyard. He prefers to hide in a pot or hang out in a tree.

He spends an inordinate amount of time grooming himself and gets all fluffy in the process.

Our state bird, the Cactus Wren took over the birdseed block.

A Gila Woodpecker hangs out upside down foraging for insects. Look at the tongue!

Squirrel!

Which photos do you like best?

What are your weekend plans?

Weekend Captures

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I had some fun bird photography this weekend.

Plus, we had guests over that I was so excited to see. One of our kids’ friends from club swimming in Palm Springs who lives in Tempe with her husband and six-month old first born baby! We made lunch and they played in the pool.

I also managed to get a few captures of bird photos that I like.

A Roadrunner darted about chasing quail. This clever guy hid himself in a planter at the far end of the yard with only his head showing. He’d jump out “Beep beep!” and go for the chase. Fortunately, he didn’t have success.

Curve-billed Thrasher with fuzzy feathers make me believe he’s a youngster.

This Abert’s Towhee juvenile explored a planter.

More juvies looking for trouble!

A Gila Woodpecker up in the tree surveying the quail spectacle below.

This grown up Curve-billed Thrasher was keeping an eye out for the young one.

Mrs. and Red hung out in the morning before it got too hot!

We even have a juvenile croc!

Which photos do you like best?

What fun did you have this weekend?

Bird of the Week — Roadrunner

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CLXVII

Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)

Our largest cuckoo, this bird is characterized by a long tail, streaked appearance, frequently erected shaggy crest, and a blue and orange bare patch of skin behind the eyes. It is capable of running very rapidly across the ground (15 mph) and rarely flies. Like all cuckoos, the Roadrunner is a zygodactyl bird (it has 2 toes pointing forward and 2 toes backward).
–Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum


Roadrunners are found in Southwest United States and Northern Mexico. They prefer arid semi-arid areas. They do not migrate, maintaining territories in California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and parts of Utah, Colorado, and Mexico.

They eat mostly animals, anything they can catch including rodents, lizards, scorpions, frogs and birds and eggs. Fruit, seeds and other plant material make up for 10% of their diet.

Size:

  • Length: 20.5-21.3 in (52-54 cm)
  • Weight: 7.8-19.0 oz (221-538 g)
  • Wingspan: 19.3 in (49 cm)

Sounds: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Greater_Roadrunner/sounds

Flash Flood Warnings

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Mrs. found a perch on one of the flamingos.

Red prefers the Beavertail cactus art.

The past few days have been stormy and wet! The rain doesn’t seem to stop. We were supposed to go to a friends’ house for dinner when my phone started blowing up with warnings.

Along with the scary words, a horrendous sound goes off.

I called our friends and questioned if we should cancel and stay home due to the phone warnings. However, we ended up going because it’s uphill a mile and there wouldn’t be any washes to drive through. The rain had stopped when we drove and the roads were drying up.

Unfortunately, the entire area was not that lucky. To date, four people lost their lives who were in their cars about an hour south of us. I don’t think these warnings should be taken lightly.

The roadrunner paid us a visit. He moves quickly and this was the only picture I managed to get.

House finch on the beavertail art.

A spotted a gilded flicker in the tree.

This house finch looks all fluffed up.

Have you had any weather warnings this early Fall? If so, what have they been about?

Birds and a Chipmunk

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Red looking majestic in our backyard tree.

Now that I’m back home and have my camera, I’ve been taking photos when something interesting pops up in my backyard. From my cardinal couple, quail, finches and roadrunner, there’s been lots of action. Throw in a few chipmunks and I’ve taken a lot of pictures!

I’m impressed with this chipmunk’s balance on two legs.

I think this sweet bird is a female house finch?

This roadrunner actually laid down in our yard, waiting for prey. He had his eye on the chipmunk but left without any luck.

Mrs. staring at me taking while I took her picture.

Red found himself fending off quail to get a bite of birdseed.

Another shot of the roadrunner. Isn’t he beautiful?

Do you have a favorite of my backyard buddy pics? If so, which one?

The Ordinary Guys

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While I’m resting and recovering from a bout of COVID-25, I discovered writing isn’t that easy. My head feels stuffy and thick. I’m doing better sitting inside the casita photographing my bird buddies. Instead of focusing on my cardinal couple Red and Mrs., I felt it was time for the ordinary guys to have their day in the sun.

The photo above is a House Finch munching on a sunflower seed. (Please feel free to correct my bird identification.) I like the wings of a dove behind him.

Papa quail and a teen in front of a Barrel Cactus.

The baby quails are growing into awkward looking teens.

A House Finch on top of a Barrel Cactus.

House Finch on Beavertail Cactus statue.

I liked the angle of the finch and a different cactus.

We have an abundance of White-Winged Doves. Here’s one in a tree.

One not so ordinary guy:

Last but not least, our resident Roadrunner, getting ready make his move.

Do you have a favorite bird photo? If so, which one?

What exciting plans do you have for the weekend?

A Few New Friends

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This beauty is a Western Tanager. I’ve seen them a few times, but I haven’t been able to get a photo until this weekend. He stopped by to drink from our bird bath.

I love the way the light goes through the Cottontail’s ears. We have an abundance of bunnies this year all around the neighborhood.

This Roadrunner loves our planter that has water in it. So do bunnies and doves. I spotted the roadrunner in the tree outside the casita, but as I reached for my camera, he flew down and ran through the fence. Then I spotted him in a tree outside the fence in the wash. But I couldn’t get a good view of him. I was thrilled to spot him back in the yard. I got a second chance at photos!

No day is complete without a few Red sightings. He sang his heart out up in our tree!

I have a busier than normal week ahead. Physical therapy, an HOA board meeting to attend for my newsletter, friends in town, a wedding in Northern California in a Redwood Forest. After getting used to a quiet, healing pace, I’m trying not to get too stressed out!

Do you have a slow or busy week ahead? What activities do you have planned?