November 25, 2018
I've seen two Long-eared Owls in the last week. This one I was able to photograph not
very far from my campsite. Quite rare in the Sonoran Desert. A birder I know from Tucson
came out to see it, since he is doing a Pima County Big Year and needed it.
I have been getting more Lawrence's Goldfinches at my water.
It is really nice to get photos like these.
Female Lawrence's Goldfinch
A surprise Cassin's Vireo in a wash near Pipeline Road. In past years I have never even
seen a Cassin's Vireo in the Sonoran Desert, this year, I'm up to four now.
This one has been feeding on something that has stained some of the
feathers yellow, on the throat and breast. The spectacle is somewhat stained too.
A Queen, couldn't pass this nice shot up.
Another surprise, a Hutton's Vireo in a wash near Valentine Well.
In the Sonoran Desert, I've only seen this vireo in Alamo Canyon
before, where there are a few oaks. Oaks are generally
found where Hutton's Vireos are, but there are no oaks anywhere
around Ajo that I know of. Like the Cassin's Vireo, it appears to be feeding
on something that is messing up its feathers.
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