Sierra Vista, AZ ~ San Pedro House

I went to the hummingbird banding here last evening but it was very slow with 3 birds in about an hour so I left but before I did I made plans to go birding this morning with one of the helpers.  We walked along the river looking for anything but also hoping for the Green Kingfisher but were disappointed it was a no show for us.  I did have 4 life birds here including Mexican Ducks, Western Screech Owl (pictured below), Bullock's Oriole and Gray Hawk.

Western Screech Owl

Vermilion Flycatcher on her nest

Patagonia, AZ ~ Around town

Vermilion Flycatcher

Thick-billed Kingbird

Cassin's Kingbird

Warbling Vireo

Unknown Flycatcher

Unknown

Palm Desert, CA

The surprise for today was seeing this Belted Kingfisher and a Foster's Tern fishing in the pond in front of the clubhouse.  There were 2 Savannah Sparrow on the greens and an immature Vermilion Flycatcher.  The first three birds are new birds for this location.

Belted Kingfisher

Vermilion Flycatcher

Savannah Sparrow

CA ~ Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

Vermilion  Flycatcher

Nice to be able to visit this nature preserve again today.  I must admit  this area is one of my favorite places to see birds around Palm Desert.  Here are some of today's pictures and some scenery.  I started birding at the ballpark where I was lucky enough to again see the wonderful and colorful Vermilion Flycatcher and had close up looks at a Lincoln Sparrow. There were 5 Western Meadowlarks feeding in the outfields, some Western Bluebirds, Lesser Goldfinches and House Finches were in closer.  Next, I moved over to the Preserve where I hiked the Mesquite` Trail where I had great looks at an Orange-crowned Warbler and Western Wood Pewee.

Lincoln Sparrow

Orange-crowned Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

CA ~ Desert Valley Resort

This morning's walk was really exciting for me.  I took a long walk around an undiscovered area of the golf course and as I was getting ready to return back to our rooms I saw a flash of a bright red bird.  When I got my bins on the bird it was a male Vermilion Flycatcher.  Oh, what a gorgeous bird!