Patagonia, World-famous and Not

We shivered a bit this morning at the world-famous Patagonia Roadside Rest, but it was well worth it: the male Rose-throated Becard continues his project of transfering, piece by excruciatingly tiny piece, the old nest to the new nest, located, oh, about 4 feet away. No sign of a female yet, but she may just be waiting to decide whether she likes the new wallpaper.

Other birds at the roadside rest included White-throated Swift, Western Wood-Pewee, Cassin’s Kingbird, Canyon Wren, and several pounds of Phainopepla, including a pair carefully checking the stability of a horizontal branch right above the car, obviously with a construction project in mind. A Gray Hawk squealed the whole time we were there, and never once emerged from its leafy hiding place to give us a look.

On, then, to world-famous Mrs. Paton’s yard, where we were greeted by the electric screams of a Thick-billed Kingbird, my first of the year north of the border. The sugar-water feeders were busy, busy, with visitors including a single Violet-crowned Hummingbird. Blue Grosbeaks, Lark Sparrows, and Bronzed Cowbirds made the seed piles about as colorful as they could be.

And thence to the virtually unknown wonders of the Harshaw Creek crossing. A Common Ground-Dove was at a tiny pool when we pulled up, and an hour of quiet watching from the shade gave us Vermilion Flycatcher, Plumbeous Vireo, Summer Tanager, and Northern Cardinal coming down to the water. We didn’t see one, but my bet is that an early morning stop here would produce thirsty Montezuma Quail: it’s happened before!