Mike in the Wild

Birds of prey, or raptors, are probably the most exciting birds to see in the wild.  It's not uncommon to see them majestically soaring in the sky or regally perched on a utility pole.  Most of them are stealthy hunters, frequently using the element of surprise in swift pursuit of a meal.  But the peregrine falcon hunts at an especially high speed, sometimes up to 200 mph, making it the fastest animal on Earth. The red-tailed hawk, Cooper's hawk, Harris' hawk, osprey, bald eagle,  prairie falcon, American kestrel and peregrine falcon seem to make up the majority of the many raptors that call the Phoenix area a year-round home.  While I've regularly encountered and photographed the first seven of these eight birds on my outdoor forays, the last has until now eluded me.  On a recent birding expedition to Gilbert's Water Ranch I was amazed by the vast number of northern shovelers on the riparian preserve's ponds.  I've regularly encountered this seaso...

I wasn't disappointed when I returned to Willow Lake in Prescott last Friday, close to the same date a year ago when I was excited to spot a large flock of wintering northern shovelers there.   Even with lower water levels due to an exceptionally dry and mild winter throughout the state, it looked like the long-billed ducks were thriving on the lake's diminished area of aquatic real estate.  Below are just a few pictures from my short visit to the reservoir and the shovelers' seasonal habitat. View of Willow Lake with a flock of northern shovelers on a point of land in the foreground. Closer view of northern shovelers. Male and female northern shovelers in flight - mostly due to my approaching them with the camera. Male and female northern shovelers in flight. Male northern shoveler landing on Willow Lake. Female and male northern shoveler on Willow Lake in Prescott. Two other winter visitors - a pair of buffleheads - in flight over Willow...