Apache Campground birding June 19

Always a favorite location anytime we visit the area, we used to tent camp in this part of the forest when I was still young enough to sleep on the ground and didn't have the need nor to mind having to traipse through the dark to find a restroom in the middle of the night. The price has risen considerably, too, but with a Golden Age Passport for half price day use we gladly paid the fee to spend the day among the pines and birds. We have had some amazing birds here before, our very first Red-faced Warbler was found here.


First stop was the camp host site with nectar and seed feeders. White-breasted Nuthatch seemed intent on squirreling away as much seed as possible as he made fast and furious trips to and from the feeder. Hummers swarmed the nectar feeders and 1 female was extremely rufous, much brighter than any of the others. I know it's too early (according to the experts) for Rufous, but as I compare more and more female Broad-tails, I'm not entirely convinced. No photo was obtained.

A leisurely stroll around the loop as we enjoyed the calls of Flicker and Nuthatch and the constant whirr of Broad-tailed Hummers. Warblers overhead proved to be Yellow-rumps (Audubon) in full breeding splendor. We just begin to get this plumage in spring before they whisk away to higher altitudes and latitudes for breeding purposes. One good thing about yellow-rumps, they respond well to pishing. Again, no photos today.

Next surprise was a pair of Warbling Vireo, not singing today but interacting nicely. We were able to watch them together for several minutes, but again no photos. The axiom, the taller the tree the smaller the bird, really seemed to hit home today.

A vaguely familiar call drew my attention away from the vireo and I was able to locate a Pygmy Nuthatch. He was very good at disappearing and Alvin never was able to focus on the bird. The Mountain Chickadee was more cooperative when two used a large pine stump for a dining table.

Finally, a bird that I could get some decent pictures of. this Red-shafted version of Northern Flicker was oblivious to my presence.
I'm just learning this rapid fire shutter and I really need something to act like still life for practice, and this handsome fellow was perfect.

Plus my warbler necked needed some relief.

While scanning higher up for more birds I  spied the waning crescent moon through an open window.

Another non avian sight was the top of an astronomical dome above the tree tops. 

Originally constructed by the Air Force in 1962 as a part of the project to detect satellites with electronic imaging, it was operated as NASA Orbital Debris Observatory, 1995 to 2002. It is now privately owned. 

I wasn't able to get this view, but located this great picture while researching the facility. 

Getting back to birds, a fussy house wren caught my ear and I tried vainly to locate him in the dense foliage down the hillside. A loud pish in his direction paid off when he rocketed up the hill and perched on  twig maybe 30 feet below me. I could focus binoculars on him easily, but with the cluttered background  I either could not find the bird in the view finder or I could focus clearly. Luckily he flew to another perch with a clear blue sky behind him where I was able to snap this

and this

Not magazine quality, but I'm proud to achieve that much. 

Bonus, a pair of Red-tailed Hawk soared in the majestic blue sky high above the House Wren. 

The forest is a dynamic place of constant renewal demonstrated by the decomposition of dead wood.

 Saprophytes identified as Many-zoned Polypore Coriolus versicolor  covered the end of the dead log like barnacles on a pier. Wonder how many years before this log is gone completely.











Back at the host site Pine Siskin were taking advantage of the seed feeders and Alvin finally got a really good look at a Pygmy Nuthatch. Western Tanager had been calling and finally put in an appearance to verify the identity. We snagged both male and female along with Black-headed Grosbeak. Hermit Thrush calls echoed from the shadows, but that sound is unmistakable.

This gigantic Crane Fly was resting on the restroom wall. 

The perfect end of perfect morning was a great photo op of the Cordilleran Flycatcher 

and matching him to his voice. 

We took the short cut through Dry Canyon returning to Deer Spring RV 

a spring provides a nice little wetlands inhabited by Red-winged Blackbird and American Robin. I could hear a warbler like song, but couldn't located the culprit.