Alan's (atdahl) Big Year 2016

[Atdahl]

Well, I never like to refer to myself as a "birder" for some reason. "mammaler" or "herper" I have no problems with. I think I am just in a constant state of denial of the depth of my "birding". So, I might as well present another example of that hypocrisy by participating in a photo big year.

 

There are many great Big Years already posted and I find it interesting to see what species North America and Europe have in common. I will be following everyone else's with much interest.

 

I am going to do one month per post and include only one photo per species except on a few occasions to compare male vs. female, to show chicks, or in at least one case some interesting morphs.

 

Finally, since I am NOT a "birder" , I might have some wrong IDs. Feel free to suggest corrections.

 

 

January started off with a bang as we joined a Tucson Audubon Society bird walk in Sabino Canyon (Exhibit A in the case against Alan's denial of being a "birder")

 

#1 - Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Sabino Canyon, Tucson, AZ

DSC_2648_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

#2 - Orange-crowned Warbler, Sabino Canyon, Tucson, AZ

DSC_2659_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

#3 - Greater Roadrunner, Sabino Canyon, Tucson, AZ

DSC_2702_edited-2 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

The rest of January consists mainly of photos taken at our house. Many of them were actually taken through my office window since we occasionally fill a seed feeder on that side of the house.

 

#4 - Northern Cardinal, Catalina, AZ

DSC_2756_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

#5 - Hermit Thrush, Catalina State Park, AZ

DSC_2809_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

#6 - Bridled Titmouse, Catalina State Park, AZ (love these guys)

DSC_2843_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

#7 - Rufous-backed Robin, Catalina State Park, AZ (birders came from all over the place to see this bird as it is an Arizona rarity)

DSC_2870_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

#8 - Rock Wren, Catalina State Park, AZ

DSC_2893_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

#9 - Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Florida Canyon, AZ

DSC_2914_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

#10 - Black-chinned Sparrow, Florida Canyon, AZ

DSC_2929_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

#11 - Lincoln Sparrow, Catalina, AZ

DSC_2954_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

#12 - Grasshopper Sparrow - Catalina, AZ

DSC_2997_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

#13 - Canyon Towhee - Catalina, AZ

DSC_3061_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

#14 - Clay-colored Sparrow - Honey Bee Canyon, Oro Valley, AZ

DSC_3079_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tdgraves]

Welcome @@Atdahl I think you'll find that none of us are birders

[michael-ibk]

Absolutely, none of us, that would be silly.

 

Welcome to the Big Year - great shots, especially like the Roadrunner and the Cardinal.

[Patty]

Great start! I should've looked harder for birds while we were in AZ but I wasn't a "birder" back in January

[Atdahl]

Yup, no "birders" on this forum, that's for sure . Moving on to February...

 

#15 - White-throated Sparrow, Catalina State Park, AZ
DSC_3113_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

#16 - Gray Flycatcher, Catalina State Park, AZ
DSC_3130_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

#17 - Black-throated Sparrow, Catalina State Park, AZ
DSC_3285_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

#18 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Oracle State Park, AZ
DSC_3328_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

#19 - Harris's Hawk, Catalina Regional Park, AZ
DSC_3343_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

#20 - Cactus Wren, Catalina, AZ
DSC_3357_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

#21 - Sage Thrasher, Catalina Regional Park, AZ

DSC_3379_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

#22 - Costa's Hummingbird, Catalina, AZ

DSC_3395_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

#23 - Rufous-winged Sparrow, Catalina, AZ

DSC_3437_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

#24 - Vermillion Flycatcher, Catalina, AZ

DSC_3461_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

#25 - Red-naped Sapsucker, Catalina State Park, AZ

DSC_3481_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

#26 - Lawrence's Goldfinch, Catalina State Park, AZ

DSC_3527_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

#27 - Chipping Sparrow, Catalina State Park, AZ

DSC_3538_edited-1 by Alan Dahl, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TonyQ]

@@Atdahl

Welcome aboard! A great start with lots of lovely photos.

I am finding it really interesting to see the birds in different parts of the world and the whole idea of th Big Year has really increased my interest in birds.

[Peter Connan]

Welcome to the Big Year @@Atdahl !

Some very pretty birds so far!

[elefromoz]

@@Atdahl, great to see some more Nth American birds, I'll be a bit more familiar with a few when I get back there one day(if the Aussie $ ever rallies). The Road Runner would be something to see.

[Atdahl]

Thanks for the encouragement all. Although, you may change your tune after weeding through March. You see, I photographed A LOT of birds in March. So, I might was well get to it..

 

#28 - Black-throated Gray Warbler, Catalina, AZ

 

 

#29 - Broad-billed Hummingbird, Catalina, AZ

 

 

Now, the fun begins because we spent the next 8 days in Costa Rica...

 

#30 - Inca Dove, Toucan Rescue Ranch, Costa Rica

 

 

#31 - Bronzed Cowbird, Toucan Rescue Ranch, Costa Rica

 

 

#32 - Montezuma Oropendola, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#33 - Passerini's Tanager, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#34 - Bananaquit, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#35 - Green Honeycreeper, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#36 - Black-striped Sparrow, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#37 - Broad-billed Motmot, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#38 - Great Currossow (female), Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#39 - Crested Guan, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#40 - Cattle Egret, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#41 - Blue-black Grosbeak, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#42 - White-collared Seedeater, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#43 - Sulfur-bellied Flycatcher, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#44 - Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

[Atdahl]

#45 - Yellow-faced Grassquit, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#46 - Emerald Tanager, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#47 - Collared Aracari, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#48 - Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#49 - Chestnut-sided Warbler, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#50 - Violaceous Trogon, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#51 - Black-throated Trogon, Mistico Hanging Bridges, Costa Rica

 

 

#52 - Rufous Motmots, Mistico Hanging Bridges, Costa Rica

 

 

#53 - Slaty-tailed Trogons, Mistico Hanging Bridges, Costa Rica

 

 

#54 - Cinnamon Becard, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#55 - Buff-rumped Warbler, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#56 - Bicolored Antbird, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#57 - Spotted Antbird, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#58 - Ocellated Antbird, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#59 - Common Tody-flycatcher, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#60 - Brown Violet-ear Hummingbird, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

[Atdahl]

#61 - Magnificent Hummingbird, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#62 - Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#63 - Bay-headed Tanager, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#64 - Spectacled Owl, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#65 - House Wren, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#66 - Shining Honeycreeper, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#67 - Variable Seedeater, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#68 - Sooty Robin, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#69 - Great Kiskadee, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#70 - Red-billed Pigeon, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#71 - White-throated Robin, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#72 - Great Black Hawk, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#73 - Baltimore Oriole, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#74 - Clay-colored Robin, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

The Clay-colored Robin (Recently renamed Clay-colored Thrush for some reason) is the national bird of Costa Rica

 

 

 

#75 - Melodious Blackbird, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#76 - Pale-billed Woodpecker, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#77 - Golden-winged Warbler, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#78 - Swainson's Thrush, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#79 - Gray-capped Flycatcher, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

Wow, that was a bit of a pain. Seems that there is a photo limit per post that I keep breaking.

 

So, it's time for a breather. March is to be continued...

 

[michael-ibk]

Love the Costa Rica set, beautiful birds and wonderful shots.

[PeterHG]

Spectacular collection from Costa Rica, @@Atdahl ! It brings back quite a few memories, too. Keep them coming!

[Atdahl]

@@michael-ibk & @@PeterHG, thanks a lot. Costa Rica sure has some amazing birds. So, let's continue with more from Tirimbina Lodge...

 

#80 - Yellow Warbler, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#81 - Black and White Warbler, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

Not a very good picture but my only sighting of this bird ever.

 

 

 

#82 - Olive-throated Parakeet, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#83 - White-tipped Dove, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#84 - White-flanked Antwren (another lifer), Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#85 - White-fronted Nunbird, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#86 - Wood Thrush, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#87 - Yellow-throated Euphonia, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#88 - Summer Tanager (female), Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#89 - Short-tailed Hawk, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#90 - Gray-headed Chachalaca (that's fun to say), Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

[Atdahl]

Down the street from Tirimbina Lodge is a place specializing in bird photography. So, this non-birder couldn't pass up an opportunity like that...

 

#91 - Blue-gray Tanager, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion

 

 

#92 - Golden-hooded Tanager, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion

 

 

#93 - Red-legged Honeycreeper, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion (One of my favorite CR birds)

 

 

#94 - Crimson-collared Tanager, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion

 

 

#95 - Olive-backed Euphonia, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion

 

 

#96 - Tennessee Warbler, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion

 

 

#97 - White-necked Jacobin, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion

 

 

#98 - Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion

 

 

#99 - Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion

 

 

#100 - Palm Tanager, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion

[TonyQ]

A wonderful selection of birds and photos from Costa Rica. Really beautiful.

I think my favourite is the Violet-crowned Woodnymph, lovely photo and a great name.

[Soukous]

Super shots. Every one of those would be a first timer for me. So there are birds outside Africa, who'd have thought it?

[Atdahl]

@@TonyQ, I think that's one of my favorite names too.

 

@@Soukous, yup and they are colorful too! The first trip to a new continent is always thrilling since 99% of species are likely new. Reason # 324 on why I need to get to Africa, Australia, and Asia some day...

[Atdahl]

OK, let's continue with March in Costa Rica.

 

#101 - Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Costa Rica Nature Pavillion

 

 

#102 - Keel-billed Motmot, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#103 - Buff-throated Saltator, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#104 - Black-throated Trogon, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

 

#105 - Red-throated Ant Tanager, Tirimbina Lodge, Costa Rica

 

That's it for Costa Rica. If I counted right that's 76 bird species photographed and I still have a few I haven't been able to identify but I fear they will stay in the "unknown" category forever. Oh well. Now back to Arizona for one last March bird.

 

#106 - Gila Woodpecker, Catalina AZ

 

[Atdahl]

And now...on to April...

 

#107 - Blue-winged Teal, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Arizona

 

 

In mid-April my 200-500mm lens arrived..and I had lots of fun with it. It's a great bird lens. Once in a while the birds were TOO close...

 

#108 - Lazuli Bunting, Catalina, AZ

 

 

#109 - Lucy's Warbler, Sabino Canyon, Tucson, AZ

 

 

#110 - Brown-crested Flycatcher, Catalina State Park, AZ

 

 

#111 - Wilson's Warbler, Catalina State Park, AZ

 

 

#112 - Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Catalina State Park, AZ

 

 

#113 - Lesser Goldfinch, Catalina, AZ

 

 

#114 - Gambel's Quail, Catalina, AZ

 

We had two separate Gambel's quail families around our property. One with 7 chicks and one with 4. Both families have made it but there are only 6 chicks in family #1 last time I saw them. Here is a shot of mama all 7 chicks when they were young.

 

 

#115 - House Finch, Catalina, AZ

 

Interestingly enough, we see two other House Finch morphs at our feeder. A yellow one and an orange one.

 

 

 

#116 - Cooper's Hawk, Catalina, AZ

 

And so ends April...

[Peter Connan]

@@TonyQ, I think that's one of my favorite names too.

 

@@Soukous, yup and they are colorful too! The first trip to a new continent is always thrilling since 99% of species are likely new. Reason # 324 on why I need to get to Africa, Australia, and Asia some day...

 

I find bird distribution very fascinating. Earlier on you showed a Trogon from CR. Now we have a different species of Trogon here. It is very obviously a different species, but it is also obviously related, as the basic shape and stature are almost identical, yet the marking and coloration are completely different.

[TonyQ]

@@Atdahl

Gambel's Quail is a real beauty!

[Tdgraves]

@@Atdahl that 200-500 certainly is a good bird lens!

[Atdahl]

@@Peter Connan, I totally agree. I am actually interested to see how many common birds we all have in our Big Years from different continents. I know the House Sparrow and European Starling are common in reports from multiple continents but I haven't taken the time to figure out other common species.

 

@@TonyQ, thanks. The families are great fun to watch. They also make some great sounds this time of year.

 

@@Tdgraves. Yes, I am quite happy with it. Too bad it came a month late for Costa Rica .

[Atdahl]

"April showers brings a May trip to Yellowstone". Isn't that how that saying goes...? No? Well it should...

 

But first, a few Arizona birds...

 

#117 - Black-headed Grosbeak, Catalina, AZ

 

 

#118 - Northern Mockingbird, Catalina, AZ

 

 

#119 - Lark Sparrow, Catalina, AZ

 

 

#120 - Abert's Towhee, Catalina, AZ

 

 

#121 - Western Tanager, Catalina, AZ

 

And now on to Yellowstone which is not known as a go to birding location but they still have a few...

 

#122 - Ruffed Grouse, Yellowstone NP

 

 

#123 - Gray Jay, Yellowstone NP

 

 

#124 - Black-billed Magpie, Yellowstone NP

 

 

#125 - Yellow-headed Blackbird, Yellowstone NP

 

 

#126 - Western Meadowlark, Yellowstone NP

 

 

#127 - Great-horned Owls, Yellowstone NP

 

 

#128 - Harlequin Ducks, Yellowstone NP

 

 

#129 - American Dipper, Yellowstone NP

 

 

#130 - Spotted Sandpiper, Yellowstone NP

 

 

#131 - Mountain Bluebirds, Yellowstone NP