Long-tailed Duck

Went down to the Platte again to look for the reported Long-tailed Duck. Found it this time. Female. Not an especially colorful bird, but very interesting and a lifer for me. Also saw the odd hybrid again. People have been speculating on what it might be. I wonder if maybe it's not a cross between a Northern Pintail and a Eurasian Wigeon. Just a thought. Perhaps it's just a maturing male with those odd cheek patches.

Ducks on the Platte

Been hearing reports of a Long-tailed Duck down on the South Platte in Denver. Lots of ducks down there in the winter cause the river usually stays open. Went twice before I found what, at first, I thought was the Long-tailed. Now, I'm thinking it's some kind of hybrid, or a molting Pintail. Pretty duck, all the same.

Also saw some Hooded Mergansers, Common Merganser, and Buffleheads, and
Common Goldeneye, . Ducks are so beautiful. They keep birding interesting in the dead of winter.

Bosque

I've been wanting to go to Bosque del Apache Wildlife Area in New Mexico to see the Cranes for sometime. I've seen the Sandhill Cranes in the spring down in the San Luis Valley as they start their journey north, but never to Bosque. So, I headed out in my little truck last week. Didn't get there till after dark, and just set up my camper at the Bosque Birdwatchers RV Park. Nothing fancy there, but at least I had electricity for heat. Got up early the next morning and drove the quarter mile or so to the first pond alongside the road. As I pulled in, my headlights illuminated a large flock of cranes sleeping. It was pretty cold, but there were already maybe ten people getting their gear ready along the little levy. I joined them and waited for sunrise, which was just beautiful. Shot away on the Cranes. It was a pretty cool experience. First there's a few croaks as they start to wake up. Then more and more start talking. A few begin to take to the air, as well. A huge flock of Snow Geese at the next pond down the road took to the air in mass - the famour liftoffs. It's a sight to see with nice sounds effects as well.

Finally decided to head down the road and drive around the rest of the area. Saw Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, tons more Cranes and the largest flock of Northern Pintails I've ever seen. Towards afternoon there was a huge gathering of Snow Geese in the pond on the east side of the road, and across the railroad tracks. The flock was attracting a large number of photographers. Not only are there millions of birds at Bosque, but also an amazing number of photographers with amazing gear. I have never seen such a concentration of large glass - not even at some of the larger media events I coverd in the past. Just amazing. I'd bet on a given morning at Bosque, there would be over half a million dollars of camera gear in use.

The railroad tracks that parallel the road into Bosque is the old Santa Fe line that runs between Albuequerque and El Paso. I knew it was there, and new it as close to the road, but having arrived after dark I didn't know how close. I also didn't know the line was much used anymore. I found out otherwise the first night. In the middle of the night here came a train - fast and very loud. Scared the hell out of me. I thought it was coming thru the camper. I saw several trains the next day, but it seems mostly they run at night. I also photographed the old San Antonio depot. I think it's been moved from it's orginal location, but not far, and it also seems to be about to fall off it's support post.

I want to go back to NE New Mexico to explore the old Santa Fe trail. Some really interesting history down there. And if you need a good lunch spot along the way to Bosque, try the Johnny's Mexican Kitchen in Las Vegas. Right off the interstate in town. Really good.

Rosy Finches

I've been frequenting the trading post feeders at Red Rocks Park recently. Good birding location on a sunny day, and been some interesting birds there lately, per some previous posts. Went back out yesterday with the report of Rosy Finches. There was quite a flock for a time, but they came and went. Mostly Gray-crowned Rosy Finches, but I think I heard someone say they had also seen a black variety. Also saw the White-throated Sparrow, and Harri's Sparrow again. I'll also post a pic of the Golden-crowned sparrow for a previous visit. Don't remember if I got that one posted before.

December Birds

It's Been an extremely dry and warm winter so far. Been a few oddities lately. Heard reports of some interesting birds out at the Red Rocks Trading Post. There are some feeders and folks bring seeds to attract birds. There's good cover, water, and food so quite a few birds. A Curved-bill Thrasher has been coming to the feeders all fall and winter. Quite a bit out of it's northern- most range down in SE. Colorado, although I saw a pair down at Aiken Canyon south of Colorado Springs earlier this fall. The Thrasher sure stood his ground against a flock of Scrub Jays, and they got out of his way. I think I would, too, considering that long curved bill and those evil eyes.

I'm not real good with Sparrows, but I found a Harris's - a lifer, for me - and White-throated Sparrow interesting. Used to see lots of the later in the hedges in Memphis in the winter. The Harris's is really beautiful.

Folks have been seeing a Golden-crowned Sparrow, but it didn't show the two times I've been out to the park. That would be a lifer for me as well, and pretty rare for this locale.

You see quite a few of these yellow variant House Finches. I think there were at least two in the flock of maybe 20 or more House Finches. There were also lots of Juncos of three races, and a Spotted Towhee. I think Towhees are very handsome and it's crazy how they give themselves away with their scratching in the under-brush.

I left Red Rocks and drove down to the S. Platte River in south Denver. Reports of lots of ducks. Hard to get close, but I got a few shots of this Northern Pintail. Lots of Mallards, a couple Green-winged Teal, a few Buffleheads and one female Golden-eye. Our, lately, almost constant wave cloud, made lighting poor so I gave up the hunt. Warm winter weather often brings these wave clouds that shade the front range, but the plains and mtns. bask in bright sun.

First real snow of the season coming tomorrow. Will be interesting to see what that does to the visitors at Red Rocks.

Red Rocks Birding

Haven't been out shooting anything for the blog in a long time. Was so nice today, I headed out early to Trading Post at Red Rocks Park to look for the Harris's Sparrow, Golden Crowned Sparrow, and Curved-bill Thrasher being reported there. Quite a few folks and lots of birds. The feeders there attract not only a lot of birds, but also squirrels, and chipmunks. There were lots of Scrub Jays, House Finches, and English Sparrows. Pretty soon the Harri's came out. Very striking Sparrow. Got a few shots. There's also been a White-throated Sparrow reported and he made a very brief appearance, but stayed well back in the brush. The Golden Crowned also came out very briefly, but I mean brief. I don't think anyone got a shot. The Curved-bill Thrasher was quite cooperative. Those yellow eyes are quite remarkable. Also a Flicker or two, and a Spotted Towhee.

Met a fellow named Ken who wanted me to send him a shot of the Harri's, but I quite promptly came home and put my pants with his card in the wash. Sorry. If you'll drop me a line, I'll be glad to send you a couple, Ken. Sorry.