Davis Mountains in mid-February...

(19 February 2012)

... in a drought.
In total overcast cloud cover.
In no sun, and with sudden cool temps.

Target bird for a California birder staying in Ft. Davis:

Black-chinned Sparrow (Spizella atrogula)

Well, this is a non-optimal time of year.  They are quiet skulkers in small flocks in mid-Winter. Some having descended in elevation for the season, they hold to scrub-brush hillsides.  I prefer this task when they are singing in Spring.

Definitely, these were non-optimal weather conditions as well.

Nevertheless, this birder was passing through at this time of year and wanted this species to photograph.

Very well...

Black-chinned Sparrow

Success! These are photos I was able to glean.

Black-chinned Sparrow

Another couple of photos I took from the Davis Mountains, during yesterday's guiding:

White-breasted Nuthatch  (Sitta carolinensis)

Phainopepla (Phainopeple nitens)

I am fairly confident that this guest birder will also take memories of TWO up-close perching Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) with him.

These birds were both very much alive.
Some friends of mine and Heidi's will understand the meaning of that sentence.
Hey..., Year Bird!