Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Curve-billed Thrashers

To the right of the trail, in the cholla cactus--


a young curve-billed thrasher,




and parent!


Further on up the trail, another curve-billed thrasher enjoying a saguaro blossom


and singing a surprisingly sweet song.

35 comments:

Magpie said...

They do have a beautiful song and they are so much fun to watch. Great pictures Diane.
Please know that I'm enjoying your other blog, Simply This, but am sad that I can't comment.

Diane AZ said...

Hi Magpie, Thank you for your kind words. The comments are back on now on the other blog. :)

Thérèse said...

and this bird has such a repertoire!

Martha Z said...

I'm thinking it may have been a group of thrashers I saw last spring migrating through. They looked very different, larger and darker than this bird, but what a song!
I find it's often difficult to identify migrants.

cieldequimper said...

Pretty! I admire how they seem oblivious to the prickles!

betchai said...

I always love to see the diverse life around your place Diane, you seem to be not missing any wonderful gifts from nature, very relaxing, and very inspirational.

angryparsnip said...

Wonderful !
I love the early morning photo walks you take us on. They are early right ? because it is way to hot to walk later !

cheers. parsnip

Betty Manousos said...

i have to say that your photos def. reflect a "sweetness" , diane, if that makes sense.

so beautiful captures and soft tones!

loving your photography.

hugs!
betty xx

Clytie said...

I enlarged these beautiful photos - and had to gasp at the beauty of the thrasher parent in flight. Absolutely stunning!!!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Beautiful Thrasher, Diane... We have the Brown Thrashers here. Glad he sang for you.
Hugs,
Betsy

Allison said...

Love those white flowers! So unusual - nothing like that around here. Beautiful!

Loree said...

I have never heard of trashers and am wondering why they are called that.

Diane AZ said...

Hi Loree, the bird does have a funny name, probably for its food foraging behavior of using its beak to move leaves and dirt aside on the ground. Every now and then they come to the bird feeders and bird seeds rain down as they sort through them.

Gaelyn said...

I'm always amazed how birds stand on the cactus. Cholla would be no easy feat. Great captures of the Thrasher. I'd occasionally see one in Yarnell.

Julie said...

Your desert photography is amazing! Thanks for bringing the desert to life for those of us who never get to see it!!!

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

I agree with all these comments...

•°°• IcyBC •°°• said...

What a sweet looking bird, Diane, and I wonder how they do with all that spikes!!

tracy said...

One of my favorite birds! The first time I ever saw one I thought its eyes looked spooky.

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm trying to NOT think about what it would feel like to stand on a cactus. :)) Wonderful photos. Now I need to check to see if thrashers ever come my way, I suspect not but will find out for sure. :)

Janie said...

I've never seen a bill like that. He's an unusual and beautiful bird. Nice photos!

Joop Zand said...

Wonderful shots..... i like this !!

greetings, Joop

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Beautiful birds photos!

Magia da Inês said...

L
I
N
D
O
!

Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil


°º♫✿
°º✿
º° ✿✿♥ ♫° ·.

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Beautiful post!

Debbie Lo said...

Beautiful photos, as always. I'm amazed at how completely those birds blend in with their surroundings. Mother Nature is definitely impressive--in all aspects!

Lindy said...

Another wonderful bird series. I saw some of these birds at our AZ home the last time we were there but had forgotten what they were, so glad to see this post! =)

...I'm just marveling at your gorgeous blue sky...

SquirrelQueen said...

I have never seen this little bird before. The little ones are so sweet, great photos.

siga said...

Wow! So many beautiful birds! I was browsing your lovely photos of the nature and got very surprised that it's not very different from where I am, Canary Islands. And it's being so far away! Only thing is we don't have humming birds but ocean instead ;) Thank you for introducing me to your land!

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Beautiful place!

Anonymous said...

You have such an eye for wildlife. Great photos!

All the best, Boonie

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

I hear their songs...

Lrong Lim said...

What cute looking birds...

Candice Suter.....Sweetstuff said...

These are incredible shots! Love the baby and mama in the cholla. They must be used to walking between the spines. And the thrasher is so awesome. To eat and sing, what a life.

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Beautiful colors!

Julie said...

Sweet songs among prickly thorns! So amazing!