Reader Ivar Husa shares more of his photos with us: three birds and a reptile today.
I could hardly resist the invitation to share more birds. I hope you and the viewers enjoy these, too.
These were all taken within reach of Tucson, AZ last May, when I attended my daughter’s commencement from ASU (MED, Masters of Educational Development, Behavioral Analysis).
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Polioptila melanura:
Gila Monster, Heloderma suspectum:
Vermillion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus:
White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica:
Let me begin this thread by posting the Stupid Comment of the Day.
Re: the vermillion flycatcher: How does this bird make a living? How many vermillion flies have you ever seen?
Argh. It’s been a week. Christmas and Family Politics. I’d say Shoot Me Now, but somehow I survived …
I suppose there are plenty of black tailed gnats for the first bird to eat.
Don’t say thing like that anywhere near Arizona. Someone might oblige.
Great photos!
The dove has dazzling coloration! I wonder how these exotic colors are produced. What skin pigment makes such a vivid cobalt blue?
That’s actually a pretty good question. Especially with it’s associated questions of “how light-stable is it?” and “do I need exotic chemistry to make it by the bucket-full, and can I teach a yeast or bacterium to do it?”
There’s probably a decent PhD in there. And a half-way decent chance of getting industrial funding for it.
Where do I sign?
I thought, “White winged dove” was just a lyric in a Stevie Nicks song!
Beautiful pictures. I would be a little nervous about taking face-on pix of a Gila monster.
I love Gila monsters. They are a bit bitey, I suppose.
The flycatcher looks like he has a hole in his sweater.
I love the wide eyed look of doves. Like they are always shocked at seeing whatever you’ve gotten up to.
I thought that as well. Breast-plucking for nest lining or display?
With some very fine knitting needles, you might repair it. Which conjures a truly ridiculous mental image.
The study of gila monsters has had great practical benefit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exenatide
Nice pictures. I like the elegance of the White-winged dove. But why “asiatica” ? Was Linnaeus really so bad at geography ?
Nice gnatcatcher. They’re hard to see that well, much less photograph.
LOL, some years ago I flew out to catch my son’s commencement at Oregon State, but my ulterior motive was to bird as much as possible. 😀
Love the pics, especially the gnatcatcher! That would be a lifer for me.
The gila is hella cool. Great capture!
Splendid photos! Thanks.
Fantastic photos, Ivar.
Is your daughter working in education now and/or planning to stay in Arizona? Reason for asking: Republican senator Sylvia Allen.