u/withoutadrought

For such a pretty bird, and a warbler, they’re actually pretty mellow. If you can find them.

Central, Arizona

Nikon D500 500mm f4G
1/1600 f5.6 iso800

I watched this little wren eat a worm their parents brought them on a rock down below, and then fly up to this branch to start chittering at me. I don’t speak wren, but I’m assuming I was being told to go away.

Central, Arizona at dawn in the pines.

The sun just came over the canyon wall illuminating a large rock face in the background, while simultaneously reflecting off the other canyon wall behind me, lighting up the Bushtit, without directly shining on the Bushtit.

Central, Arizona
Nikon D500
500mm f4G
1/2000 f5.6 iso500

One of my spark birds, and definitely my spark warbler. Taken with either a Z8 or D500 and a 500mm f4G

Edited to say: Central, Arizona

Northern Arizona. I trapped her at a colony last week and she had a vet visit yesterday. She’s possibly the nicest cat I’ve ever met. Super friendly, playful, affectionate. She’s been isolated in a separate room, but is bouncing off the walls wanting out. My other cats aren’t vaccinated,(vet said because they’re indoor cats and they don’t vaccinate for FLP.) Just playing it safe, I’ve been washing my hands and taking all the precautions not to spread anything just in case. Just wondering if anyone had any information from experience? She’s super healthy, I would never have guessed she was sick. She estimated to be 6 to 7 months old. Can she beat the infection? Will I have to put her to sleep? How do I keep her happy in a room by herself? Is it wrong/dangerous to keep her if I have other cats? Thanks in advance

Northern Arizona. I trapped her at a colony last week and she had a vet visit yesterday. She’s possibly the nicest cat I’ve ever met. Super friendly, playful, affectionate. She’s been isolated in a separate room, but it bouncing off the walls wanting out. My other cats aren’t vaccinated,(vet said because they’re indoor cats and they don’t vaccinate for FLP.) Just playing it safe, I’ve been washing my hands and taking all the precautions not to spread anything just in case. Just wondering if anyone had any information from experience? She’s super healthy, I would never have guessed she was sick. She estimated to be 6 to 7 months old. Can she beat the infection? Will I have to put her to sleep? How do I keep her happy in a room by herself? Is it wrong/dangerous to keep her if I have other cats? Thanks in advance

I live just outside of their year round range, and for being members of the Finch family, they’re surprisingly skittish, so I don’t get many opportunities to photograph them.

Near Jerome, Arizona

Nikon Z8 FTZ 500mm f/4G

1/500 f4 iso1600

Central,Arizona

Z8 FTZ 600mm f/4G

1/1000 f4 iso640

You never know what’s going to come while waiting for something else. Waiting for Summer Tanagers, this little tyrant flycatcher came and posed for a minute.

Central, Arizona

Nikon D850 600mm f/4G 1.4x teleconverter

1/400 f/5.6 iso720

There were so many that I decided to just post them raw, unedited. The most photos I have ever taken in one morning(7k+), and these are just a few of my favorites of the keepers. A ground spring trickles down a hill and pools in little indentations in the ground. With water so scarce in Arizona, this is a perfect place to sit and wait to see what birds come by.

Central, Arizona

Black-headed Grosbeak
Western Tanager
Acorn Woodpecker
Red-faced Warbler
Lazuli Bunting

Nikon Z8 FTZ 500mm f/4G

Possibly it’s because of the time of year they come through my area, but I’ve found these birds to be extremely shy, and always solitary.

Central Highlands, Arizona

Nikon Z8 FTZ 600mm f/4G

1/1000 f4 iso800

With this species(the largest of the Phalaropes), the females are more colorful than the males, which is called “reversed sexual dimorphism.”
These photos were taken before and just after sunrise in Central highlands, Arizona

1&2) 1/800 f4 iso800

#3) 1/1250 f4 iso100

Having a drink from a freshwater spring. The spring seeps out of the ground at the top of a hill, and pools in low spots as it runs down. I use a large boulder at the top of the hill to hide behind, and to try and match the angle of the hill.

Central Highlands, Arizona

Nikon Z8 FTZ 500mm f/4G

1/400 f4 iso2200

Central Highlands, Arizona

Nikon Z8 600mm f/4G

1/1000 f4 iso1800

These birds are very laid back for a raptor. I’m always careful not to disturb any animal I’m photographing, but the Swainson’s will usually stay perched as I’m driving past. This one actually came and perched near me as I was waiting for a male Northern Harrier to fly by over a pond.

Central highlands, Arizona