Spring's arrival in the Arizona desert shows itself in many ways: temperatures flirting with the nineties, innumerable cactus flowers, blooming palo verde trees, and nesting birds. The colors of the flora are a visual delight while the warm and dry climate is usually pleasant enough for lots of outdoor activities. But sometimes our avian friends are an affront to our hearing, especially when it interrupts our sleep.
Northern mockingbirds are one of the most common birds in Phoenix's neighborhoods. Normally their endless varieties of calls are a beautiful and melodious soundtrack to the outdoor landscape. But in the spring their tweets seem to take on a frantic, incessant rhythm as they try to attract mates. At one point, their songs start to puncture the calm of night, seeming to invite doves and grackles to the sleep-depriving cacophony.
Nevertheless the noisy season is a celebration of life as many birds breed throughout the area. In time for Easter, mallard ducklings and Canadian goslings have filled our waterways. Meanwhile the desert is teeming with verdin and thrasher nests. This year I was able to photograph American coot chicks for the first time. In Prescott I observed a couple of great horn owlets with a parent, all nestled high in a treetop. And I found a greater roadrunner collecting material for its nest at the Desert Botanical Garden.
Take a look outside. This year's spring is an especially wild explosion of color, sound and life.
Northern mockingbirds are one of the most common birds in Phoenix's neighborhoods. Normally their endless varieties of calls are a beautiful and melodious soundtrack to the outdoor landscape. But in the spring their tweets seem to take on a frantic, incessant rhythm as they try to attract mates. At one point, their songs start to puncture the calm of night, seeming to invite doves and grackles to the sleep-depriving cacophony.
Nevertheless the noisy season is a celebration of life as many birds breed throughout the area. In time for Easter, mallard ducklings and Canadian goslings have filled our waterways. Meanwhile the desert is teeming with verdin and thrasher nests. This year I was able to photograph American coot chicks for the first time. In Prescott I observed a couple of great horn owlets with a parent, all nestled high in a treetop. And I found a greater roadrunner collecting material for its nest at the Desert Botanical Garden.
Take a look outside. This year's spring is an especially wild explosion of color, sound and life.
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| Northern mockingbird on a quieter day. |
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| American coots at Papago Park in Phoenix. |
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| American coot chick. |
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| Greater roadrunner collecting grasses and wildflowers for its nest at the Desert Botanical Garden. |
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| Greater roadrunner in its nest. |
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| Great horned owl and owlet at Watson Woods in Prescott. |
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| Great horned owl and owlet at Watson Woods in Prescott. |
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| Blooming palo verde tree. |
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| Blooming prickly pear cactus. |
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