Well, I can officially say this has been one … let’s go with “intriguing” snowbird migration. It started with dragging the Midwest winter temps with us all the way to Arizona. We were finally able to de-winterize in Tucson making for some very cold walks to the bathroom/shower houses practically all the way down. Finally got a day when I could shed the coat and walk around in a t-shirt and then the rains came in – so frustrating. Decided to head up to Vegas and spend my birthday in style. There were a number of my favorite birding places in the area and worst case we could seek shelter from the wet stuff in the casinos. All was going quite swimmingly until the day after my celebration Linda made a declaration “I’m done with taking sitting showers!”. For context, we own a Class-B Pleasureway – been living the van life for many years. The parent company of the dealership we bought our two models happens to be based in Vegas. I think this was all a clever plan by Linda crafted long before we ever left home. Remember that “stranded in Vegas with good issues” comment in a previous post, the “own” a Class-B is officially “owned” and replaced with a B+/C- with a full shower. Linda has spoken ha! This ended up extending our stay in Vegas several days to get all the t’s crossed and then opted to stay more days to get familiar with it while being close to the dealership if something needed to be addressed. I am currently relaxing in a recliner typing this post as we drive down US 10. At some point I will have to confess to her she made the right decision (if my current smile doesn’t give it away first), but for now I think I’ll leverage it by guilting her into extra birding trips and fuel supporting this year’s ultra races. Birding has been pretty good, although not nearly as productive as our Texas trips. Currently at 127 which is over 50 birds down from last year at this point. Hoping to make that back up when we head down there in the Spring. Being that we are currently driving through Arizona, decided to go with a bird most of my readers are very familiar with.
Hit the jump to read more about the birding world’s Flash.
Growing up I was a huge football fan – both college and the pre-merged AFL/NFL. The cards were not in my genes to play myself, but I enjoyed rooting on the Fighting Illini and Chicago Bears with my father every weekend. I miss those bonding days, but no longer have any respect for professional football and have refused to watch a single game since they decided to disrespect our flag and the veterans (father included) that fought to give us the freedoms we have today. Everyone has an absolute right to their opinions, but my time/money/support “stands” firm on this.
Ironically, I noticed a sign for the Arizona Football team as we were driving through Phoenix yesterday. Note, that is American football for our readers across the pond. For those not familiar with the history of the Arizona Cardinals, they actually originated in my home state (IL) back in 1898. A founding member of the NFL along with the remaining team in Chicago our family faithfully supported for many a bad year ha. The Cardinals ended up moving to St. Louis in 1960 before making their way out west in 1987. A juxtaposition of sorts with my current opinion of the NFL, whenever I am reminded of the Arizona Cardinals I immediately think of Pat Tillman who left football to join the military after 9/11. I’ll leave the eventual tragic end of that story there and transition to the mascot he wore on his helmet.
I used to believe that the Northern Cardinal was more ubiquitous, assuming that the Northern part was in reference to the entirety of North America. I grew up with Cardinals greeting me every morning from our backyard and happened to live in a state with them designated as the state bird. Pretty good odds as the Cardinal is the state bird of 7 of our 50 states. My assumption was corrected when we started spending more time out west. In reality, their range stops just past the great plains to the west with some presence further along the southern border. Ron and I were asked countless times if we had seen a Cardinal while birding in the Tucson/Phoenix area. We responded negatively and then promptly asked if they had seen a Pyrrhuloxia (link here) or a Black Cardinal..sorry, the Phainopepla (link here) which are more prevalent down there. Two of the hardest bird names to spell by the way.
Today’s specimen comes to you courtesy of last year’s stop at Guadalupe River State Park outside San Antonio, TX. That is a beautiful park and my go to spot if I need to get a Lesser Goldfinch (link here) checked off the annual list. There is a bird blind there that I could probably spend all day at for both their variety of birds and their photogenic perches. Much like the log at the SPI Birding and Nature Center, they have gnarly wood and water features the birds love to pose on (link here). Trust me, there will be more posts coming from that blind. This Cardinal was busy working it for the paparazzi.
Will leave you with some quick facts on this brilliantly colored species. Correct that, brilliantly colored males of this species. The females have red accents, but predominantly washed in brown. To help distinguish the females from the Pyrrhuloxia, look for the orange bill. The ..not going to try and spell that again.. other bird has a yellow bill. Cardinals do not migrate so in their regions, they are enjoyable year round. They even maintain their plumage coloring through the winter months which really makes those males pop against the white snow. Pretty bird comes with a nasty disposition to intruders. Extremely territorial and brings a new definition to shadow boxing if they catch their reflection in a car mirror. Not exactly the most self-aware bird if you get my drift ha.
Will leave it there for this on the road post. I have to go pull out a new RV manual so I look busy and intent or Linda might make me leave the recliner and drive. Take care everyone and for the staff back home…TURN UP THE HEAT!
Life Intrigued 