On The Road – Albatrossity – Photo Walkabout August 2024 – 4

After spending a morning in Ramsey Canyon, I wandered to another fabulous birding spot, the Ash Canyon Sanctuary.  Known for the hummingbird species that it regularly hosts, it also has ponds and shady areas to attract other kinds of birds. But we can start with the hummers. This is a female Rivoli’s Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens), which if you have an older field guide is found under the name Magnificent Hummingbird. This is a large hummer, but unfortunately very shade-loving; I’m still jonesing for a good picture of the male bird in a sunny spot. Click on the species link above and you will see why. Click here for larger image.

A very common hummer in these parts is the Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris). This is an adult male, and fortunately, this species has no problem perching in a sunny spot. I need a Christmas tree ornament that looks like this bird! Click here for larger image.

Described in one field guide as the “quintessential urban hummingbird”, Anna’s  Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is indeed found in yards and gardens across California, and up the Pacific Coast as far as British Columbia. This is a hardy species, and vagrants can be found, even in late fall or early winter, across the US. The iridescent crown distinguishes it from most of the other smaller hummers, and indeed the genus name Calypte comes from the  Greek word (Кαλυπτη) for “covered” or “hood”. Click here for larger image.

The real specialty hummer at Ash Canyon, however, is the Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer). This is an adult male with a showy magenta gorget, but that long downcurved bill makes it easier to ID regardless of age or sex. This is another species whose main range is in Mexico, with only a small chunk protruding into SE AZ and SW NM. Click here for larger image.

Hummingbirds are not the only nectar-loving critters at Ash Canyon. During this trip I was entertained by many Gulf Fritillaries (Agraulis vanillae), a spectacular large butterfly whose larvae feed on passionflower vines and other related plants.  It obviously is not restricted to the Gulf Coast; besides Arizona, I’ve seen and photographed these beauties in North Carolina, Kansas, and California. Click here for larger image.

A much less flashy denizen of Ash Canyon was this Western Wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus), who was flycatching some, but mostly preening in the tall grass at the back of the refuge. This species is very similar to the Eastern Wood-pewee that is familiar to many North American birders, but its vocalizations are quite different. Click here for larger image.

One of the most common birds in this region, the White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) sports eye makeup that would make JD Vance envious. Click here for larger image.

Another dove, but much less common, was this Inca Dove (Columbina inca). Tiny and usually gregarious, this one was a loner, but seemed perfectly happy gleaning spilled seeds under the feeders. These are quite small doves, and are colloquially known as Dinky Doves in some parts of the country. Click here for larger image.

August is molting season for many of these birds, and this Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) has a collection of old and new tail feathers to help make that point.  Click here for larger image.

Our final bird for the day is one that lots of people are surprised to find in Arizona, despite the name of the professional football team that is based in the state. This young male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is also molting, and epitomizes the scruffy look that many adolescents adopt.  That all-black bill is a nice Goth addition as well. These Arizona cardinals are the largest subspecies, aptly named C. c. superbus, and also can be distinguished by their lesser black “mask” that does not extend onto the forehead as it does in the typical Flyover Country birds that I regularly see.  Click here for larger image.