Let's go back in time...back to AZ for some birding. Dave found this excellent campsite in the Molina Campground part the way up Mt. Lemmon. It was really quiet and bird.
Before I arrived, he rode from bottom to top of Mt. Lemmon. Big Ride. Big Day.
He then went to the airport and picked me up. On the way to the campground, we went through an outdoor museum with tons of cactus. We laughed at this nutty sign...we had no idea it was a premonition of what Dave would do about a week later. :/
Excellent campsite. No one else around anywhere!
A good birding perch for me.
Birding
Birding atop Mt. Lemmon. I'd hoped we would see the Olive Warbler but the rascal eluded us...again.
We stopped mid-birding to climb Hitchcock Pinnacle. Fun little climb with a 14 second approach.
Dave on top giving those in the parking lot something to ogle!
Summit shot on top of Hitchcock Pinnacle. So, it looks like we as a couple are starting to look alike! :)
Here I am on top of Hitchcock. Definitely not a place to walk off of.
And now for the birdy part of the presentation! A beautiful Verdin. These are really difficult to get a photo of.
Dave got several good photos of them!
The Red-Faced Warbler. He is why so many birders go to the top of Mt. Lemmon.
A singing Red-Faced Warbler.
A very funny and confused Hooded Oriole. Each morning he would fly to Dave's SUV and sit on the mirror. There he'd have a very intense conversation with the bird in the reflection. Cute bird!
California Towhee
The fierce looking Yellow-Eyed Junco
Mr. Red-Faced again. Gorgeous!
A Road Runner...in a tree! Beep! Beep!
Broad-Billed Hummingbird.
Painted Redstart. Another spastic warbler! Hard to photograph as they are always on the move. Plus, their huge range in color makes photographing them extra challenging.
Painted Redstart in his fluttery wing position.
Handsome Ash-Throated Flycatcher
Cute little Bell's Vireo building a nest. We were able to watch the pair bring in spider's web for the construction.
It was a treat to see a Bell's up close, and even neater to see the nest construction.
Hooded Oriole at the campsite. Likely the same rascal who liked Dave's truck
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