Lewis's in The YardBirders, as a general rule, are list keepers. Most keep a master "Life List" list of all the bird species they have seen. Then they keep records of all the birds they have seen in a year. There is a list for all the birds they have seen in a particular country, a specific state, the county they live in, and even a list for specific days. No matter how unorganized the rest of their life may be, in their birding lists there is order.

One of the favorite lists that many birders keep is their "Yard List." These are the birds that have graced the little patch of geography they call home. Many are the birders that have outfitted their home turf with flora and feeders to attract birds into their area. The general rule is that any bird seen from their home can go on a Yard List, so the Eagle that was clearly visible flying over the highway a mile away counts. But, it is the birds that actually land in the yard, rewarding the careful cultivation of an enticing habitat, that bring a special sense of joy.

Living in southern Arizona high desert, in arguably the birding capital the United States, we have had many surprising birds visit the yard. For example, there was the Zone-tailed and Swainson's Hawks that dropped in for a drink from the pond, and the Lucifers Hummingbird that came off the mountain, where it typically spends the summer, to visit our valley feeder. Other mountain dwellers, like Acorn Woodpeckers and Mexican Jays, have stopped in. And there are the precious Scaled Quail, the keystone cops of the yard, whose regular visits we cherish dearly. But, my favorite so far may be this Lewis's Woodpecker that decided to partake in some suet and water these past few days.

Woodpeckers, in general, tend to be magnificent birds - how many other species got their own cartoon? Within that clan, the Lewis's has every right to lay claim to most unique. The only green woodpecker in the United States, with a deep red mask and reddish belly that fades into pink in transition to a white breast, it winters in small numbers in the southern desert like a lingering Christmas ornament. It may be January now, but I consider its visit to our yard a very special, albeit belated, Christmas present from God.

Words and photos may be my gift, but the words that express the grace in my life to witness His glorious creations often elude me. I am honored and humbled to share these visions. I remain His scribe.

Lewis's Woodpecker
Shoot Date: January 30, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Aperture priority ¹⁄₆₄₀ sec at f/6.3 ‒ 1 EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 500

Birders, as a general rule, are list keepers.  Most keep a master "Life List"  list of all the bird species they have seen. Then they keep records of all the birds they have seen in a year. There is a list for all the birds they have seen in a particular country, a specific state, the county they live in, and even a list for specific days. No matter how unorganized the rest of their life may be, in their birding lists there is order. 

One of the favorite lists that many birders keep is their "Yard List." These are the birds that have graced the little patch of geography they call home. Many are the birders that have outfitted their home turf with flora and feeders to attract birds into their area. The general rule is that any bird seen from their home can go on a Yard List, so the Eagle that was clearly visible flying over the highway a mile away counts. But, it is the birds that actually land in the yard, rewarding the careful cultivation of an enticing habitat, that bring a special sense of joy. 

Living in southern Arizona high desert, in arguably the birding capital the United States, we have had many surprising birds visit the yard. For example, there was the Zone-tailed and Swainson's Hawks that dropped in for a drink from the pond, and the Lucifers Hummingbird that came off the mountain, where it typically spends the summer, to visit our valley feeder.  Other mountain dwellers, like Acorn Woodpeckers and Mexican Jays, have stopped in. And there are the precious Scaled Quail, the keystone cops of the yard, whose regular visits we cherish dearly. But, my favorite may quite possibly be this Lewis's Woodpecker that decided to partake in some suet and water these past few days. 

Woodpeckers, in general, tend to be magnificent birds - how many other species got their own cartoon?  Within that clan, the Lewis's has every right to lay claim to most unique. The only green woodpecker in the United States, with a deep red mask and reddish belly that fades into pink in transition to a white breast, it winters in small numbers in the southern desert like a lingering Christmas ornament. It may be January now, but I consider its visit to our yard a very special, albeit belated, Christmas present from God. 

Words and photos may be my gift, but the words that express the grace in my life to witness His glorious creations often elude me. I am honored and humbled to share these visions. I remain His scribe. 

(Interested in learning more about photography? Check out my workshops and clinics here)

Lewis's Woodpecker
©RGallucci Photography
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Shoot Date: January 30, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Aperture priority ¹⁄₆₄₀ sec at f/6.3 ‒ 1 EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 500
 

Green Kingfisher in FlightWhy is a Green Kingfisher green? I cannot pretend to know the real answer to that question, but I can make a good guess. These misproportioned birds spend their lives perched on scrags along small streams and ponds waiting for their prey to swim by. Their color would allow them to blend in perfectly with the backdrop of the forests where they live. To a fish swimming through the Kingfisher would be invisible. The same holds for protection against prey. Blending in with their background might provide the camouflage they need to avoid being attacked. Is this the answer? I have no idea. But it's the one I am going to stick with.

Capturing a Green Kingfisher in flight was mostly luck. I set my shutter speed to 2000 to freeze fast motion and set my aperture to 11 to grab as much of the scene as possible and then hoped I would be quick enough on the shutter to get a good shot. On the hundreds of photos I took of the bird there were only two of it in flight. This is the better of them. Perhaps if I had more time with the bird, days or weeks, I could learn its behavior. But this is a sensitive species, and I will need to be content with my one visit (well, maybe one more). Indeed not enough visits to learn its behavior.

The Green Kingfisher flies from perch to perch rapidly and low to the water. My dream shot would be to have one flying towards me, hugging the path of the water. Maybe someday.

I am thankful beyond words for the blessing of spending time with this bird. God is a masterful creator, and He did well with this stunning bird. I am as grateful to have been loaned the gift to share these wonders with any who are interested. I remain His scribe.
Shoot Date: January 25, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Manual ¹⁄₂₀₀₀ sec at f/11 0 EV
Lens: EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM @ 800 mm
ISO: 1000

Why is a Green Kingfisher green? I cannot pretend to know the real answer to that question, but I can make a good guess. These misproportioned birds spend their lives perched on scrags along small streams and ponds waiting for their prey to swim by. Their color would allow them to blend in perfectly with the backdrop of the forests where they live. To a fish swimming through the Kingfisher would be invisible.  The same holds for protection against prey. Blending in with their background might provide the camouflage they need to avoid being attacked. Is this the answer? I have no idea. But it's the one I am going to stick with. 

Capturing a Green Kingfisher in flight was mostly luck.  I set my shutter speed to 2000 to freeze fast motion and set my aperture to 11 to grab as much of the scene as possible and then hoped I would be quick enough on the shutter to get a good shot. On the hundreds of photos I took of the bird there were only two of it in flight. This is the better of them. Perhaps if I had more time with the bird, days or weeks, I could learn its behavior. But this is a sensitive species, and I will need to be content with my one visit (well, maybe one more). Indeed not enough visits to learn its behavior. 

The Green Kingfisher flies from perch to perch rapidly and low to the water. My dream shot would be to have one flying towards me, hugging the path of the water. Maybe someday. 

I am thankful beyond words for the blessing of spending time with this bird. God is a masterful creator, and He did well with this stunning bird. I am as grateful to have been loaned the gift to share these wonders with any who are interested. I remain His scribe. 

Green Kingfisher in Flight
©RGallucci Photography
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Shoot Date: January 25, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Manual ¹⁄2000 sec at f/11 0 EV
Lens: EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM @ 800 mm
ISO: 1000

Green Kingfisher III am afraid that I will be boring all with images of the Green Kingfisher, but it was such an incredible bird offering such great views that I cannot help myself. To mitigate the onslaught, I will attempt to provide some details on the bird.

Their scientific name is Chloroceryle Americana, and they are the second smallest of the Kingfisher species, that honor held by the American Pygmy Kingfisher. The species is about 2/3 the size of the more frequently encountered Belted Kingfisher. The Green Kingfisher in this image is a female. A rufous breast notably distinguishes males of the species.

A Neotropic bird, they are widely distributed from northern Chile through Mexico. In the United States, they are resident in only the southernmost parts of Arizona and Texas. I found this stunning lady at Patagonia Lake State Park in southern Arizona.

For most of my life birds were no more than the little black, and occasionally red, things flitting around my house. About five years ago a stranger looking at a bug through backward facing binoculors piqued my interest. When I asked him what he was doing, he said "birding." Shocked, I wondered what that was. He then took me on a short tour of the woods pointing out the variety of birds in the area. I was hooked.

That initial introduction has led me on a beautiful journey throughout the United States. It was the impetus for our move from overcrowded New Jersey to the extraordinary wonders of the high desert of Southern Arizona. It opened my eyes to the fantastic diversity of Gods creation. For all that, I am truly blessed.
Shoot Date: January 25, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Manual ¹⁄₂₀₀₀ sec at f/5.6 0 EV
Lens: EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM @ 800 mm
ISO: 1250

I am afraid that I will be boring all with images of the Green Kingfisher, but it was such an incredible bird offering such great views that I cannot help myself.  To mitigate the onslaught, I will attempt to provide some details on the bird. 

Their scientific name is Chloroceryle Americana, and they are the second smallest of the Kingfisher species, that honor held by the American Pygmy Kingfisher.  The species is about 2/3 the size of the more frequently encountered Belted Kingfisher.  The Green Kingfisher in this image is a female.  A rufous breast notably distinguishes males of the species. 

A Neotropic bird, they are widely distributed from northern Chile through Mexico. In the United States, they are resident in only the southernmost parts of Arizona and Texas.  I found this stunning lady at Patagonia Lake State Park in southern Arizona. 

For most of my life birds were no more than the little black, and occasionally red, things flitting around my house. About five years ago a stranger looking at a bug through backward facing binoculars piqued my interest. When I asked him what he was doing, he said "birding." Shocked, I wondered what that was. He then took me on a short tour of the woods pointing out the variety of birds in the area. I was hooked. 

That initial introduction has led me on a beautiful journey throughout the United States. It was the impetus for our move from overcrowded New Jersey to the extraordinary wonders of the high desert of Southern Arizona. It opened my eyes to the fantastic diversity of Gods creation.  For all that, I am truly blessed.  

Green Kingfisher II
©RGallucci Photography
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Shoot Date: January 25, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Manual ¹⁄2000 sec at f/5.6 0 EV
Lens: EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM @ 800 mm
ISO: 1250