I'm still in Phoenix, after driving here to attend Cousin Dovin's 60th birthday celebration, and visit with the family. Many left after the party on Saturday, but I stayed over to visit for a bit. I also wanted to spend some time with my Cousin Eddie (younger brother to Dovin). Eddie said he wanted to go birding with me, so we headed over to the Phoenix Botanical Garden, my first visit there.
The drive itself to the gardens was fun as well as exciting. That's because Eddie's car is a gleaming white limo. Why does Eddie drive a limo? Just because! He loves it and spend time shining it up before we headed out, so viewing the scenery out the limo windows was new & different. Also different as finding a spot big enough to handle the extended length of gleaming auto! My first ever limo ride so I guess I've made the big time!
The 'suspicious' spot
We arrived at the Gardens in a state of HUNGRY. Our first stop therefore was Patio Cafe. As we headed for the cafe, we meandered by a suspicious spot. There, some people were looking up into a mesquite tree by a low wall. I walked over and looking up myself, the next words out of my mouth were "HOLY @$!%!!!"
In the branches of the tree was the last thing I thought I'd see today. A calm, beautiful & wide awake, Long-eared Owl.
A Long-eared Owls awake and missing its beauty sleep
I'm sure Eddie must have thought I'd spotted terrorists up the tree what with all my excited swearing. I don't get to see Long-eared Owls every year so I was excited, and when I'm excited sometimes I can't seem to shut up.
The bird was obviously wondering why the humans were acting so weird
It took a while to coax me from the beauty up in the tree, but eventually we made it to the Patio Cafe.Eddie & I bought nice salads and cold drinks, then set down to eat. I was excited when the patio's 'Floor Show' began.
Up on the table top searching for tidbits
A flock of Gambel's Quails marched onto the patio and began a search for dropped tidbits while the seated humans watched.
The quail were thoroughly entertaining but wait folks, that's not all! There were other species looking to get in on the free eats too.
Psst. Lady. Got any birdseed?
Got any birdseed?
Got any dead lizards?
There were other birds, too busy to pay attention to the humans.
Great Gila Woodpecker (no relation to Gila Monsters)
Dignified looking Cactus Wren
And one mammal - a crumb raiding Harris Ground Squirrel
Eddie & me were on the Cafe Patio for a long time. I photographed birdies & such to my heart's delight. I don't get to have desert animals for 'dessert' very often. But I finally had enough and we strolled off.
There are some BIG ole Saguaro cacti at the gardens
We took a stroll in the semi heat, being warm enough to tolerate, but not warm enough to just lie down and die. We strolled around - from spot of shade, to spot of shade - and enjoyed the scenery.
This interesting saguaro cactus frankly gives me the creeps
I'll balance the uggo cactus with this pretty Queen Butterfly
Eddie chilling at the Desert Oasis
Prickly Pear with oodles of yummy, albiet spiny fruit
We decided to hike the Sonoran Desert Loop Trail. Below is a Vatto - a shelter under which the local indians would have slept, cooked and ate.
The Vatto looked pretty sturdy
A 'Round House' aka Olas Kih constructed from Willow sapplings and thatched with arrow-weed
Inside the Round House
Classic desert view on the Sonoran
There were plenty of birds for me to enjoy on the trail, which is what we were visiting the gardens for after all.
I was happy to find a little Gnatcatcher, that was very secretive.
Still, the imp allowed me a photo of under its tail, cinching its ID as a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. Huzzah!
I was hopeful that I would be able to take shots of a Costa's Hummingbird, and I did get several. The lighting sucked big time, so the Costa's bright purple throat and cap look black.
I think this bird's formal name is 'Count Orlov the Angry'
Spring-ish area at the gardens
Put out sunflowers or just the seed & it's a banquet for goldfinches
Totally enjoyed the rare treat of birding a bit with Eddie. He was v. sweet to make sure we got to enjoy some prime-time together, in some beautiful desert scenery. Thanks Eddie!
Got any birdseed?
