Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Urban Wildlife

These are some of the animals I've noticed here and there around Tucson.
Early one morning I saw this Javelina in a driveway,
and two more by the mailboxes.
This colorful bird might be a Western Kingbird.
The Zebra-tailed lizard stopped to wave its black and white tail. It is said that they slowly wave their tails to hypnotize predators before running away.
A big Sonoran Desert toad lounged on the grass field in the center of the track while joggers ran laps around him.
Mockingbirds often perch on this stop sign at the elementary school.
This round-tailed ground squirrel found a place to hide by the shed.
It looked like some type of courtship display was going on. A white-winged dove kept striking this pose over and over.
A bird at the pond at Reid Park looked like it was wearing a hat.
I don't know what kind of birds these are or if that growth is normal.
Here's a Black-crowned Night Heron at Reid Park.
The park is right next to Reid Park Zoo. We once saw a night heron by the flamingos at the zoo.
Zoo admission will be free on August 20th, 2009 in honor of Tucson’s 234th birthday.
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24 comments:

  1. AshleyJuly 21, 2009 at 12:53 PM

    I love your pictures. My family lives close to Sabino Canyon, so I am familiar with many of those animals!!

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  2. •°°• IcyBC •°°•July 21, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    It's great to see so many different wild life. Beautiful pictures, Diane!

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  3. KayJuly 21, 2009 at 2:39 PM

    Oh wow, the Javelinas just walk around like that? We have Opossums, roadrunners, coyotes, etc. here. Have also seen a few night herons.

    Kay

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  4. Betsy Banks AdamsJuly 21, 2009 at 2:56 PM

    Great pictures of your 'critters' Diane. Those Mockers do more than perch on that Stop Sign... ha ha

    That white-winged Dove was really trying to get someone's attention, wasn't it????

    I've never seen a Javelina before. Not the prettiest creature, is he????? (I'm sorry. That wasn't nice!)

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  5. GaelynJuly 21, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    Nice collection of Urban wildlife. I kind of miss see the javelina. That dove had to showing off for somebody, maybe you.

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  6. MaxJuly 21, 2009 at 3:32 PM

    Those mystery birds look like hybrids of mallards and exotic or domestic ducks that are common in urban parks. We have similar ducks in Portland that stump many birders. I recently read that the strange growths on their heads result from genes of "crested" ducks partially expressing themselves in these hybrids.

    I have never seen Javelina outside of the Desert Museum. I hope to soon!

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  7. Diane AZJuly 21, 2009 at 4:20 PM

    Thanks Max, interesting about the "crests" :)

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  8. JenJuly 21, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    great great pictures! That toupee on the duck is pretty funny!
    I will miss free admission day :( I will be back out there the second week of August but just for a week.

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  9. TeriJuly 21, 2009 at 6:17 PM

    Great photos Diane! It's amazing how many critters there are until you put them together.

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  10. ProsperoJuly 21, 2009 at 7:09 PM

    The little squirrel is cute, but for me, the Javelinas steal the show. I even love the name. What about armadillos? Am I looking in the wrong place?

    Diane, I think I know where you'll be on August 20!

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  11. StephanieJuly 21, 2009 at 9:38 PM

    That frogie looks like an ornament that I would never want to step on he he... :-)

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  12. LanceJuly 22, 2009 at 5:37 AM

    I love the animal shots Diane! Especially the lizard - very cool!

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  13. deedeeJuly 22, 2009 at 7:59 AM

    You find the coolest stuff around your neighborhood!

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  14. cherieJuly 22, 2009 at 2:26 PM

    hh - what an enjoyable post! i hope you don't mind if i blog-hop more often! (i didn't know anything about Javelinas till i red this, very educational!!)
    thanks!

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  15. SAPhotographs (Joan)July 23, 2009 at 12:36 AM

    Another wonderful selection Diane. Do those Javelina become tame being around the houses like this? I know it happens to our warthogs as they get used to people.

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  16. Diane AZJuly 23, 2009 at 4:24 AM

    Hi Joan, The javelinas around here are rarely seen during daylight and are wild. They are considered highly dangerous to people and dogs.

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  17. VickieJuly 23, 2009 at 4:48 AM

    Great collection of nature everywhere! Another pretty lizard and lazy looking toad! Love the colors in your cactus image too, along with that great spiny contrast.

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  18. Phoenix C.July 23, 2009 at 7:02 PM

    I love those javelinas - an animal I knew nothing about.

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  19. RamakrishnanJuly 24, 2009 at 8:30 AM

    Wow! So many varieties of animals & birds ! Sperb photographs.The zebra tailed lizard is amazing.

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  20. kesslerdeeJuly 25, 2009 at 8:32 AM

    Oh wows on those javelina! I had a couple show up in my backyard a few days after I first moved into my home.

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  21. SAPhotographs (Joan)July 27, 2009 at 3:47 AM

    Thanks for the info Diane. We have two kinds of wild pigs here and they are also to be kept away from in the wild. Especially if they have babies with them. The females are very protective.

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  22. MarvinJuly 27, 2009 at 9:37 AM

    I enjoyed your shots of urban wildlife. Yes, I'd think those javelinas would be dangerous if they got riled.

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  23. Margaret AnnJuly 27, 2009 at 11:24 AM

    Wow! Those javelina bring back some memories...unfortunately we don't see them much any more!

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  24. JulieJuly 27, 2009 at 8:25 PM

    I would be petrified to find Javelinas just walking around in my driveway or any close proximity!!! Oh my gosh!!!

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