Birding at Gilbert Water Ranch

Today Dana and I headed out into the sunshine on our bikes to get in our 50k ride.  The ride was more or less uneventful, no spills just some thrills.  Today we had higher than expected winds.  The outward leg was tough as we were going full on into a strong headwind.  The return leg was "exciting".  We shot down McDowell to Greenfield averaging 45 kph.  Occasional side winds provides a few "Oh Shit" moments but nothing we didn't handle.  Glad to make it back to the stable and yes, we can't wait to go again.  Tomorrow though we will hike in Usery Mountain Park.

This afternoon I played tennis with my brothers Mike and Kelly.  First time for that.  Had a blast.  Look forward to the next session.  My knee held up well in the elastic sleeve and I think I may give the league a go.  I am sure you'll hear more tennis news in future posts.  I'll bet you're giddy with anticipation....

Okay, now for the birding news.  But first, a little background.  Dana has been a "birder" for several years although it was only recently that she was comfortable with being referred to as one.  Dana is great with  names of species and is quick to identify many of the common species.  I on the other hand have a good eye for spotting birds, or so I have been told, but have never dared to consider myself as a "birder".  Although as my friend Diane told me recently when discussing the very subject, if you go out specifically to see birds, and you count birds and try to identify species of birds, then you're a birder.  Okay, then I guess I am one.  Geesh, I feel like I just joined AA....

Yesterday Dana and I went birding at the Gilbert Water Ranch.  One of my commitments for 2013 was to begin to track the number of species of birds that I see and identify.  Yeah, just like a real birder.  We arrived at the Water Ranch at around 9:00.  Normally this is a bit late to start birding but the overnight  temperatures have been on the cool side so a late start seemed like a good idea.

We spent the next 2 1/2 hours winding our way through the Water Ranch.  We had the good fortune to connect with several seasoned birders.  We also ran into a few photographers who search for interesting birds to photograph.  I consider these folks birders but as I have learned, some birders consider them photographers first, birders second.

Okay, now for the exciting news.  Well, exciting if you are a birder, surely interesting if you are not.  My first official birding outing we identified 43 species of birds and saw 1 that we were unable to identify.  The list of birds included: Pied-billed Grebe, White Pelican, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Green winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Ruddy Duck,Sharp-shinned Hawk, Sora, Black necked Stilt, Orange crowned Warbler, Aberts Towhee, and 2 species that are rare or uncommon.  These were, Northern Parula and Rufous backed Robin.  It was a very productive day.

Tomorrow we will bird and hike in Usery Mountain Park.  Hoping to see more interesting birds and enjoy the wonders of the desert.

Enjoy the pics...

Dana arriving at the top of Usery Pass hill this morning.

White Pelicans and Egrets at the Water Ranch

This is our home for the next 3 months.  Thought I would throw this pic in.