January 21—On my third try for the Pine Warbler found in Desert Breeze Park in Chandler, I finally saw the bird, but for me the best thing about the sighting was photographing this species for the first time . . . wait for it . . . working a pine cone!
February 25—Once again after multiple tries I was given a warbler reward, and once again the photograph made my day. I captured an image of the Golden-winged Warbler at the cottonwood forest north of Granite Reef RA exploring dead leaves.
April 21—In the Texas hill country on our first long road trip out of state since the pandemic we had great views of the “rainbow bird,” male Painted Buntings, and I photographed it bathing, water flying everywhere, wet feathers appearing painted on. Just wow!
April 24—After a lot of hiking we finally found the target bird for our road trip, Golden-cheeked Warbler, a species that eluded my camera on several trips to Texas over the years. Scoring a nemesis bird always makes for a great trip.
August 13—It took five trips this time, to Gilbert Water Ranch, before I was able to get good looks at the Blue-winged Warbler there which was enjoyed by many birders for nearly a month. Happily our vagrant warblers seem to always hang out in one area.
August 18—Continuing what was to become the theme of our year, a male Black-throated Gray Warbler surprised me as it fed through the Sweet Memories bush right outside our computer room window. It was the first new yard bird for us in 2022.
August 20—Two days later a bird in the same bush had me scrambling for my guide books. I heard no vocals, of course, but the indistinct eye ring, long primary extension, and pale bill convinced me we had a Willow Flycatcher which proved to be our only other new yard bird for the year.
September 14—High in the tundra of Rocky Mountain National Park, at 12,000 feet as we glassed for White-tailed Ptarmigan, we were gobsmacked to see a Yellow-headed Blackbird, a male with a full yellow head. Why? How? The wonder of birding!
November 13—The Fan-tailed Warbler at Granite Reef RA was a smashing climax to what had become a second “year of the warbler” for us. Our second for the state, but a first and a Lifer for many who saw it, this rare and inexplicable vagrant was ridiculously tame in front of a gallery of binoculars and cameras, totally oblivious to all present.
December 24—For over two hours, a flock of literally hundreds of American Robins drank, bathed, and preened along a canal ten yards away from me at my local patch, a place I had birded regularly for over forty years and seen only 1 individual robin. This was a Christmas gift from the birding gods who never fail to deliver the unexpected.
Hopefully, as 2023 unfolds, the beauty, the surprises, and the joys of birding will override continuing concerns about pandemic and politics. We are hoping for the best on all fronts while cherishing the past. Good birding to all.