Birds on Mt. Lemmon in June: Nuthatches, Warblers, Kingbirds and Flickers

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Pigmy Nuthatches are common in Summerhaven in the spring and summer. They nest in tree holes, and work together in groups to raise the young, running food back and forth to the nest. Here we see an adult feeding a juvenile who is beginning to peck on  tree bark for bugs on his own, but still expects mom and dad to feed him. Full disclosure: I rotated the above image 90 degrees clockwise to provide a better orientation for this post. Both birds were hanging onto a snag I have mounted vertically on the post for the feeder, as you can probably tell by the direction of the plastic ties. 

Images below are the same pair in correct orientation on other parts of the snag.

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Red-faced Warbler 

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Red-faced Warblers winter in central America and Mexico, and breed in higher elevations in Mexico and as far north as eastern Arizona and western New Mexico. They nest on the ground and forage for food in bushes close to the ground. They are tough to see and tougher to photograph, moving very fast and staying hidden in the foliage. We got lucky on June 17th along Sabino Parkway on the way to Marshall Gulch, close to the Creek. We found one spot on the path and stayed put while the birds worked for food around us. These are the best of about 400 images.  Above, presumably a male with a mouth full of bugs. Below three images of what may be another male. I suspect there was a nest nearby.

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The image below is one of my favorites of this batch. This bird looks like he is ready for the cover of Vogue (or maybe GQ?).  

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Below, the same bird preening. Looks like a Yoga position ! 

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Olive Warbler

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Here are two images of a female Olive Warbler. Their range is similar to the Red-faced Warbler. Captured near Upper Loma Linda in early June. It is fun to get birds in flight when I can.

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Cassin's Kingbird

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Here are three images of a Cassin's Kingbird captured not far from Sabino Creek in Summerhaven. 

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Northern Flicker, Red-shafted

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The Northern Flicker, "Red-shafted" is a woodpecker that is a common summer resident. They eat ants and beetles and are commonly seen on the ground, unusual for a woodpecker. Both images captured near Upper Loma Linda Extension in early June. 

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That's all for now.  Monsoon should begin in a week or so, and I suspect our bird population will change. Always something new to explore! 

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