ROGUE WOMAN: Nerdy Birdy: Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree was my third stop on my trip and of course I had my list of desert hot spots for birds. I found four of the five birds that are in this area this season and only missed finding the Pinyon Jay, although not for lack of trying.

The California Thrasher is a new bird for me that is a difficult bird to find. They are secretive and usually hidden by brush. I was lucky that it was so early in the morning that he was out singing away higher up in a tree.

455.CALIFORNIA THRASHER

The Joshua Trees are blooming which means that the Bullock’s oriole would be around. They really love the flowers and I was able to find a small group at Black Rock Campground.

582.SCOTT’S ORIOLE

My next bird was MUCH harder to find. Secretive and shy this guy does NOT like anyone anywhere near them. I was barely able to get these shots of a pair before they took off into the desert.

468.PHAINOPEPLA FEMALE

468.PHAINOPEPLA MALE

Of course there were other desert birds hanging out. I found this female roadrunner practically next to me. Her plumage blends in so well with the surrounding landscape and they are so quite that I almost missed her AND I was looking for birds.

279.GREATER ROAD RUNNER

There were two cactus wrens making a nest and this little guy posed at the top of a tree long enough for me to snap a shot.

415.CACTUS WREN

And then very oddly I found a Gambles Quail. Well it was not odd to find the Quail they are everywhere around here, what was odd is that I found one in a tree, something I had never seen before. Normally they are scurrying around on the ground or hiding in some bramble.

58.GAMBEL’S QUAIL

With breeding season in full swing all the birds are dressed to impress. This little white crowned sparrow looked so smart with his brilliant hairdo.

546.WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW

When temperatures started getting too hot it was time to head into the shade. Even this tiny hummingbird took a break from the glaring desert sun.

HUMMINGBIRD HIDING FROM THE HEAT OF THE DAY

Sitting in the shade eating my lunch I was excited to see owl spoor on the ground. Owl pellets were scattered below a palm tree. Not expecting much I looked up only to see a Barn Owl nestled in the shade of the dried leaves sleeping so soundly even my excited whoop of joy did not wake him.

281.BARN OWL

My birding done for the day I headed back to my campsite. I made dinner, reflected on my day and gazed at the stars.

I really was winding down thinking I was done for the day when I heard the Hooooing of a Great Horned Owl. Immediately I doused my fire with two jugs of water, chucked everything into the car and headed off into the black night with my camera. Now of course I was being safe. I had heard owls on previous nights be these were far away from my site and this owl was SO CLOSE. Also I was heading to a large open area in the center of the campground not out into the wild desert.

Ever few feet I would pause and listen for the next hoot relying totally on my sense of hearing to guide me in the right direction. Every hoot got me a bit closer until right in front of me I heard a screech. A fight was on it sounded as if a Great Horned Owl and a Western Screech Owl were fighting. There was a flurry of flaps and more screeching.

I desperately tried to get a shot but my camera was SO NOT COOPERATING. It is difficult taking photos of birds it is multiplied by a MILLION trying to take photos in the black of the desert night. But I did not give up even though the first three times I found an owl the photos did not come out. Finally the next two came out pretty clear and I could return to my site. I was however confused. This owl did not look to be big enough to be a Great Horned Owl and it was too big to be a Western Screech Owl however after checking the birds in the area against my book I was still stuck.

The next day I showed my photos to a bird expert and explained my story of how I found two owls fighting. He giggled and said that I had read the situation wrong. The hooting was a mother owl and the screeching was the baby wanting its food. What I had photos of therefore was a baby Great Horned Owl.

SCORE!