That photo of the vermilion flycatcher just makes me happy. Living in Alaska as I do, I never see them except when I'm lucky enough to spot one on my visits to Arizona. Thanks for posting!
A Vermilion Flycatcher photo taken at the Benson Sewage Ponds was used on my Christmas cards (when I actually printed and snail-mailed them), the first year we moved here. I never tire of photographing them. I had a Common Goldeneye on 11/23/21 at the STP. I wonder if it's still hanging around? I haven't been "out" birding much in recent weeks. I've gotten lazy.
I think that goldeneye is the one I was after...I've seen several recent reports on eBird, along with common and hooded mergansers... Maybe I'll try again on my way to Tucson on Thursday.
I'm getting kicked out of the house tomorrow morning so Doug can meet with his (all male!) book club so I'll probably meander through St. David and Benson. Will let you know if I see it.
No goldeneye at the STP that I could see (south pond was almost impossible to observe looking right into the sun) but there was a single Snow Goose on the far bank. A nice pair of Hooded Mergansers at the golf course pond. I spent most of the morning in the Dragoons where birding was unremarkable.
I almost guarantee you would easily pick out the goldeneye! They really don’t look like buffleheads or mergansers. Someday I hope to see a vermillion flycatcher!
I think the goldeneye was reported as a female/imm. I need to invest in a scope! That must be the answer to getting IDs of these "ducks." I'm sure the wife will agree...
That photo of the vermilion flycatcher just makes me happy. Living in Alaska as I do, I never see them except when I'm lucky enough to spot one on my visits to Arizona. Thanks for posting!
Thank you! Yeah, they don't get as far north as Alaska, but you do have snow geese...and willow ptarmigans!
A Vermilion Flycatcher photo taken at the Benson Sewage Ponds was used on my Christmas cards (when I actually printed and snail-mailed them), the first year we moved here. I never tire of photographing them. I had a Common Goldeneye on 11/23/21 at the STP. I wonder if it's still hanging around? I haven't been "out" birding much in recent weeks. I've gotten lazy.
I think that goldeneye is the one I was after...I've seen several recent reports on eBird, along with common and hooded mergansers... Maybe I'll try again on my way to Tucson on Thursday.
I'm getting kicked out of the house tomorrow morning so Doug can meet with his (all male!) book club so I'll probably meander through St. David and Benson. Will let you know if I see it.
Sounds like a perfect opportunity to go birding! Let me know if you see anything interesting too!
No goldeneye at the STP that I could see (south pond was almost impossible to observe looking right into the sun) but there was a single Snow Goose on the far bank. A nice pair of Hooded Mergansers at the golf course pond. I spent most of the morning in the Dragoons where birding was unremarkable.
Pretty sure I saw the Hoodeds at the overlook--though I probably listed them as Buffleheads!
I almost guarantee you would easily pick out the goldeneye! They really don’t look like buffleheads or mergansers. Someday I hope to see a vermillion flycatcher!
I think the goldeneye was reported as a female/imm. I need to invest in a scope! That must be the answer to getting IDs of these "ducks." I'm sure the wife will agree...
Lol - well yes, if you can't see it you can't identify it. :D