Finally have intarwebs

13289Three days into the trip, and we finally have internet. The hotel was in the middle of switching internet service, so we were SOL for a bit. The trip has gone great so far though! We’ve been here for about three days now, and have seen 9 species of hummingbirds.

M/F Magnificent
M/F Blue Throated
M/F Broad-Tailed
M/F Broad-Billed
M/F White-Eared
M Lucifer
M/F Black-Chinned
M/F Anna’s
F Calliope

We’ve missed Rufous, Allen’s, Berylline, Violet-Cowned, Costa’s and the Male Calliope. The Costa’s we’ll see in Tucson at the museum, but I don’t know about any others. So far I’ve gotten some pretty decent photos, but I have no photoshop onthis computer. Editing in Paint sucks a lot. So far, I’ve taken about 700 pictures. Of all the places we’ve been, some of the best photos have been in the field behind the hotel. The shot to the left was taken last night near sunset. It’s a male Anna’s, and he was less than a foot from me, singing. Hopeful to get a girl or something.
13295The number of Hummingbirds here is amazing. We saw 7 species in one hour, hundreds of birds. They’re everywhere in the canyons. The best part so far was when John and I were in the mountains at Beatty’s. We walked up the hill and there were at least 8 feeders there. One feeder was right next to the entrance to the veiwing area, and I stood there taking pictures of a Broad-Tailed. As I stood there, another flew up. John says “They’re so close, it’s as if you could reach out and touch one.” I slowly reached out my arm, expecting it to fly away. When it didn’t, I moved a bit closer. It didn’t move. I acually gently pet it’s back before it finally realized I was human and flew off. I know I shouldn’t abuse the birds like that, but it was too magical to pass up.
Worst part? Realizing I left my little camera on a table at the preserve we were watching hummigbirds at. I paniced for a bit before emembering where it was. I called the preserve and they said someone had turned it in. Bless that selfless person, because I got it back.
Arizona Photo Album so far – here. More will bedded, of course, once I don’t have to edit in Paint.