Monday, March 23, 2009

Birds at Tohono Chul

Verdin, Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch
White-crowned Sparrow, Phainopepla (male), Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
Cardinal, Phainopepla (female), Anna's Hummingbird

These are some of the birds observed at Tohono Chul Park, a Sonoran Desert preserve and botanical garden in Tucson, Arizona.
A thistle sock bird feeder hanging from a palo verde tree attracted numerous lesser goldfinches.
White-crowned sparrows gleaned seeds from the ground below the finch feeder.
This baby sparrow was taking a dust bath under a shrub.
A Pyrrhuloxia was whistling his "what-cheer" song from atop a cactus by the cholla forest.
Hanging onto wildflower stems by his feet, a house finch was enjoying a morning snack.
Way up in a tree, some hawk-like bird sitting in a nest, was making a racket.
In the breeze, a curve-billed thrasher stood upon a saguaro cactus calling "whit-wheet." Also heard but not pictured were Gambel's quail and cactus wrens. Visiting Tohono Chul Park was a wonderful experience and turned out to be a great place to see birds without having to walk far.
I hope you enjoyed this last post in the series of Tohono Chul Park entries. Click here to see all three Tohono Chul posts including wildflowers and garden art from the park.
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17 comments:

  1. TeriMarch 23, 2009 at 10:55 AM

    You really got some great bird photos and what better place to do it. They have so many things that attract birds.

    I am finally planning on going there in April! You keep inspiring me and pushing me there. Thanks.

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  2. JulieMarch 23, 2009 at 12:20 PM

    Our birds are one of my favorite aspects of our beautiful desert. You've captured them beautifully!

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  3. Betsy Banks AdamsMarch 23, 2009 at 12:40 PM

    Hi Diane, Thanks for showing us 'your' birds. What's the difference in our Goldfinch and yours (called a "lesser" Goldfinch)???? Love that White-crowned Sparrow. Until I started studying the birds, I never dreamed that some of the sparrows were such beautiful birds. We don't have any of the pretty ones around here.

    Thanks Again.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  4. Diane AZMarch 23, 2009 at 1:02 PM

    Hi Betsy, what a great question, thanks for asking. The Lesser Goldfinch is smaller than the American Goldfinch and has an olive or black back instead of yellow, and a gray beak instead of orange.

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  5. Icy BCMarch 23, 2009 at 3:04 PM

    Many beautiful pictures of birds, Diane! I love the house finch picture the most..You almost can't see the bird!

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  6. kesslerdeeMarch 23, 2009 at 4:36 PM

    That was a wonderful little bird tour. I visited the gardens when I first moved to Tucson, almost 14 years ago now- I think it is past time for another visit. As soon as my life calms down I am going

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  7. Diane AZMarch 23, 2009 at 4:46 PM

    I should probably mention that the price for admission to the park has gone up to $7, but only costs $3 if you bring a valid school ID.

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  8. KayMarch 23, 2009 at 5:57 PM

    Very cool photos.

    Kay

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  9. GaelynMarch 23, 2009 at 9:34 PM

    Diane, this has been such a wonderful tour of the park. Great captures.

    Maybe it's tme to plan a trip to the North Rim, but wait until it opens May 15.

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  10. LeedraMarch 23, 2009 at 10:01 PM

    The bird sitting on the cactus is amazing.

    Leedra’s Photos For Fun
    Leedra’s Greeting Cards
    Photography By Leedra

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  11. AnonymousMarch 24, 2009 at 7:03 AM

    Wow, I can never get good pictures of birds. Either they fly away, are too far away, or covered with trees.

    Great post..............:)

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  12. Diane AZMarch 24, 2009 at 7:27 AM

    Lisa, Yes birds are the most challenging subjects for me also. I usually zoom in from far away and then later enlarge and crop the images w/photoshop.

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  13. PeaMarch 24, 2009 at 2:19 PM

    Beautiful birds! Everything looks so serene around! You take wonderful pictures!

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  14. UnknownMarch 25, 2009 at 11:50 AM

    What magnificent surroundings you have! Love your birds, and I have many of those here in Wisconsin too! Loved your guest post!

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  15. pennyMarch 25, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    All your photos are so wonderful. I enjoy seeing pictures of the beautiful West because It is so different from Florida. Thank you for your visit and this marvelous journey through Arizona.

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  16. Phoenix C.March 25, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    Wonderful photos! The birds look very different to ones I usually see. And I don't recall ever having seen a bird on a cactus! (Most of the cacti I see are in glasshouses ...)

    I tried to leave a comment on Travelinlocal - couldn't get it to go through. Your post there is really interesting. The landscape is fascinating and makes me want to explore. The cacti are so huge!

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  17. DeniseinVAMarch 26, 2009 at 12:16 PM

    Another series of marvellous photographs. Always enjoy my tour with you, thank you so much.

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