Crested Caracara
It's Christmas Bird Count time. I was scheduled to go on the Howe CBC on Wednesday, but my foot has been giving me a lot of trouble, so I stayed home. Later that night I got a few phone calls on my cell phone saying I made a big mistake by missing the count, but there was no specific bird or reason mentioned. So, I called Steve last night and he said they had found a Crested Caracara on the count. Crested Caracara is a subtropical falcon that nests no closer than extreme southern Arizona. I talked Jon into heading out there with me yesterday. He and I met Steve at Sage junction and headed out towards Howe. Some birders from Sun Valley eventually refound the bird. We eventually all got good looks at it. It was a pretty fun bird chase. Tomorrow is the Rexburg CBC. I hope we find something good, but I don't see how it could top a Caracara.
Here are some photographs. The bird photographs were taken by Jon. I took the photographs of the birders.
Enjoy.
Steve looking at Crested Caracara in a bird guide
Several local birders enjoying the Caracara
Here are some photographs. The bird photographs were taken by Jon. I took the photographs of the birders.
Enjoy.
Steve looking at Crested Caracara in a bird guide
Several local birders enjoying the Caracara
posted by Darren at
11:41 AM
4 Comments:
nerds :)
Great to see you blogging Darren. I've added you to my blog roll so I'll be able to follow all of your updates. I covet Crested Caracaras. I tried seeing them around Tucson, AZ a couple years ago, but just missed them.
Thanks for the card. Awesome about the bird!
I found your blog through Robert Mortenson's blog. I used to live near Howe in Arco and Moore in the mid 1980's. Now I live in SE Arizona where that bird is sometimes seen. I have only seen it once at Whitewater Draw. How amazing that it showed up there! I hope you submitted your count to eBird!
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