Saturday, June 8, 2024

Saturday's Critters # 547

 Welcome to Saturday's Critters! Hello and Happy Saturday!


 If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!


More from Madera Canyon and Green Valley Arizona. Not far from our hotel the was a nice park with a pretty garden, there were hummingbird feeders all around the gardens and it was a great habitat for various birds. 


1. My lifer, from the Madera Canyon is the Painted Redstart is a pretty bird with a scarlet belly and black plumage and white on the upper wing. 




I tried to adjust the lighting on this photo below, it changed the color of sky but now you can see the white line under the Painted Redstart's eye.







2. Another Arizona lifer from Madera Canyon is the Brown-crested Flycatcher. It reminds me of the Great-crested Flycatcher seen in my area. 







3. After our dinner we enjoyed a walk around the Meadows Garden Park in Green Valley. This park was only minutes from our hotel. The Gambel's Quail was seen a few times during our trip. I have seen this bird on a trip to New Mexico years ago.  This one had some babies hiding most of time I could not get a photos of the little ones. 







4. The Phainopepla, the adult male has as tall wispy crest, a glossy black and has red eyes. 


Phainopepla



5. The Meadows Garden Park in Green Valley was a nice place to walk around admiring all the flowers, sculptures  and the birds.  We went twice once in the evening and again the next morning. 





6. The Lesser Goldfinch, the male has a dark cap with an olive back and it's habitat is in the west from the desert to the high mountains. This bird looks similar to our American Goldfinch. 





7. Below are some more sights from the Meadow Garden Park. 




8. The Curve-billed Thrasher was seen going back and forth to a nest with babies.




9. I like this sign and message.  





10. Prickly Pear Cactus is blooming.



I hope your enjoyed this post, the birds and garden images. 



I am linking up to Heidrun's Mosaic Monday  I hope you can stop by and visit Heidrun and check out the Mosaic Monday post.




Thanks to all my visitors and for your past and present comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves and respects wildlife. Thank you for linking up a critter post.






Here is my linky:




Thank you for sharing your critters and post!

107 comments:

Mae Travels said...

I love Madera Canyon and the area nearby, and enjoyed seeing your birds and remembering our trips. I love the phainopepla and especially remember my first time seeing it, because I didn’t even know the name!
THanks for hosting Critters!
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Angie's Recipes said...

This is another set of beautiful pictures of birds and nature, Eileen. Phainopepla looks so cute.

roentare said...

Golden finch is looking so fantastic

magiceye said...

Thank you for some lovely bird photos and hosting.
Have a great weekend!

NatureFootstep said...

Thanks for taking care of our wildlife. In my country they seem to want to kill all of it! :( :( :(

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,

As always beautiful photos. I enjoyed the photos from Meadows garden very much. The cactus flowers are very prettt. Take care, and enjoy your day!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
You'd think with all my travel now I'd have more critter shots to share, but no, I'm letting the side down!!! 🤣 I enjoy looking at everyone else's though. Thanks for being the anchor. Have a fab weekend. YAM xx

rupam sarma said...

So beautiful series of photos. Amazing birds, Thanks a lot for hosting.
Happy weekend.

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
Beautiful series of photos from your trip.
The Brown-crested Flycatcher and the Gambel's Quail are beautiful species that do not occur here in the Netherlands.
The Lesser Goldfinch is also beautiful, so beautiful among the yellow flowers that it is hardly noticeable.
I wish you a good weekend.
Greetings Irma

Iris Flavia said...

Interesting, what is the white line under the bird´s eye for? Bet Mother Nature did this on purpose?
Some birds really have a cute face.
Very nice sign indeed and a great park, thank you for the tour - I have never seen a catus in bloom for real (of course).

Veronica Lee said...

What a delightful array of critters and nature scenes, Eileen!
It's wonderful to see such a variety of birds.
The Meadow Garden Park seems like a peaceful retreat with its colorful flowers and diverse wildlife.
And that Prickly Pear Cactus in bloom is a sight to behold!

Thanks for sharing these glimpses of nature's wonders.

MadSnapper said...

love the sign and the prickly pear at the end. these birds and flowers are not what I would imagine I would see in AZ... love the pic of the quail and yes I can see the white line in the first bird.. I think the man holding up the cactus might have needles in his hands. ha ha... I learned the hard way not to pick up a cactus found on the ground

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sandra!
The garden was pretty and the sculptures were fun. I would not try to pick up a cactus with my hands. The birds in Arizona were great, I enjoyed seeing all of them. Take care, have a great day!

Cloudia said...

That's so funny! I was just looking at a picture I took of a California quail. I should have shared it this week lol. Nice post! Thank you, Eileen thank you Eileen. Aloha

Cloudia said...

❤️

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Mae, for your critter link and for your comment!
The Phainopepla was a great sighting for me.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Veronica, for your critter link and for your comment.
The gardens and the cactus blooms were beautiful.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Iris, for your critter link and for the comment.
I did not find any specific info on the white line near the bird's eye.
The cactus blooms were lovely.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Irma, for your critter link and for your comment.
I enjoyed seeing all the birds on this trip. The flowers were a beautiful sight too.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, for your comment and your visit.
I do love nature, there is always so much to see.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Roentare. for your critter link and for your comment.
The Goldfinch is a pretty bird.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your critter link and for your comment.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Linda said...

You always share wonderful critters, varieties that we might nto see. Have a lovely weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Monica, for your critter link and for your comment.
I do love finding the wildlife, I would miss seeing the critters if they were all gone.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit, for your critter link and for your comment.
It was nice seeing this garden and all the wildlife it attracts.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you YAM, for your kind comment and your visit.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your critter link and for your comment.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

William Kendall said...

Wonderful birds.

chica said...

Como não gostar dos jardins e pássaros que nos mostras hoje?
Muito lindo tudo! Ótimo fim de semana! beijos, chica

Tom said...

...Eileen, you have interesting flora and fauna today. Thanks for hosting and I wish your a wonderful weekend.

Bill said...

Beautiful bird and nature photos. Have a great weekend.

Jenn Jilks said...

I like the thrasher, but the quail, they are a hoot!

Jeanie said...

I agree -- that sign is terrific and the parks look beautiful. I love that in traveling you see birds that are new -- you saw some I've never even heard of!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

If ever you return to that area I would recommend staying at the Santa Rita Lodge right in Madera Canyon. It is terrific with great birds such as Elf Owl, Arizona Woodpecker and Mexican Jay right at hand.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Cloudia, for your link and your comment.
The Quail are so cute, I really enjoyed seeing them on this trip.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your link and your comment.
I do enjoy sharing my sightings, they are record of what I see on my outings.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William, for your comment and your visit.
I do love all the birds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Chica, for your comment and your visit.
I am happy that you like my birds and photos.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tom, for your link and your comment.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bill, for your link and your comment.
It is nice you are back blogging, I enjoy seeing your post and photos.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jenn, for your link and your comment.
The Quail are cute birds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jeanie, for your link and your comment.
I do enjoy seeing and looking for new birds during my travels.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David, for your link and your comment.
We did not stay at the lodge but we did get to visit their visit setup and saw most of the birds you listed except for the Elf Owl. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Barbara Rogers said...

Thanks so much for sharing these beautiful southwestern birds...many new ones to me!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Barb, for your link and your comment.
The Southwest birds were a treat to see.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your comment and your visit.
You need to plan a Southwest road trip.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Rajani Rehana said...

Beautiful blog

Intelliblog said...

A lovely post again, Eileen, and your photos do justice to the beautiful locales and the critters there. Thank you for hosting and enjoy the new week ahead. (Nick from MAP)

Lea said...

Wonderful birds! Great photos!
Have a blessed day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your comment and your visit.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nick, for your link and your comment.
I like posting my sightings, they are a great memory for me and my hubby.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lea, for your link and your comment.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Marie Smith said...

Love the birds, the lifer was pretty special. Thank you for taking us along.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marie, for your comment and your visit.
I love finding the lifers, just seeing these Southwest birds was a treat.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the sign about friends. I've met so many wonderful people while hiking the greenway. LOVE the redstart bird. What a beauty. It's fun to see different birds. Take care! And thanks for the party!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for your link and comment Diane! We have met many friendly people on our walks too. The birds are always a treat to see. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

ellen b. said...

You were certainly in the desert clime. Fun photos of the birds. We used to walk by a lot of prickly pear when we lived in Southern California. Happy weekend to you, Eileen!

Red said...

Thanks for sharing some great photos of birds that many of us have never seen.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I love your gambel's quail. I've seen photos of them and would love to see them in real life. You captured images of a great many birds. You have such an eye and heart for them.
Thank you for hosting!

Debbie said...

what a great post eileen, this looks like a fabulous park. beautiful birds for sure. they are smart, like the quail, learning to protect/hide the little ones!! my favorite picture was of the sign about friends, it is certainly the truth!! have a really nice weekend eileen and many thanks for hosting us critter lovers!!

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! So many unique birds you photographed so well ~ and what a delightful place to go ~ thanks, hugs,

Wishing you good health,laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ellen, for your comment and your visit.
We saw a lot of cactus blooms on this trip!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Red, for your comment and your visit.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yogi, for your link and your comment.
The Quails are really cute to see.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Debbie, for your link and your comment.
I do think the birds were all beautiful.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol, for your link and your comment.
It was a great trip, so much to see.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Eileen,
So nice to see these special kind of birds. So very nice.
And what a big and nice cacti. Fantastic to see all these pictures. This is enjoyment.

Many greetings,
Marco

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marco, for your nice comment and your visit. Take care, have a happy weekend.

RedPat said...

It seems that your hotel was in a perfect location for you, Eileen. So many special birds.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Loved all the birds -- we spent I think three winters in Tucson and one near the Phoenix area and we saw a lot of birds -- mostly those visits sadly were before I had a good digital camera so I loved seeing your pictures -- brought back lovely memories plus they are great bird photos whether or not you've ever seen them in real life! ... we are going to Phoenix for a few days next month on our way home, but it is to visit our sister (Bill's) and so I don't expect to get any birding done (also it will probably be too hot to breathe -- I just hope we don't get a heat stroke waiting for our ride at the airport.)

eileeninmd said...

Thank you RedPat, for your link and comment. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sallie, for your link and comment. I took many rips before I started my birdwatching hobby, so I missed seeing many birds in some great places. I heard the heat has been awful in Phoenix, stay safe and take care. Have a great weekend.

Penelope Notes said...

Haha ... I like the message on the sign, too! The goldfinch blending in with the yellow flowers is such a pretty sight.

HappyK said...

I've never heard of a Painted Red Start. What a beautiful bird.

Teresa said...

Un precioso reportaje con preciosas aves. Abrazos.

Katerinas Blog said...

Great photos Aileen!!
Good luck to the participants!!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Eileen great to have seen another "lifer" and I love the shot of the Gambel's Quail. Would love to see that bird. Thanks for hosting and commenting. Have a wonderful week ahead

EricaSta said...

Good morning, dear Eileen, it's still early in the day, the cup of coffee is waiting for me and I enjoy reading your post.

The park in Arizona is home to many bird species, I learned here many about. And I really enjoy your report.

Thank you very much for your kind words and wishes for recovery.

I also wish you all the best and a speedy recovery.

Hugs and love
greetings from Heidrun

Linda said...

Delightful post! I don’t think I know how to pronounce Phainopepla.

Jill Harrison said...

Always so lovely to visit and see your birds. That yellow Goldfinch is so lovely amongst the yellow flowers. I actually have birds to share this week! Enjoy your week ahead and happy birding.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Maria, I appreciate your comment and link! The Goldfinches are so pretty. Take care, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for the comment and visit. The Redstart is a beautiful bird. Take care, have a great week.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Teresa, for your visit and comment. The birds are a beautiful sight! Have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Margaret, I appreciate the comment and your link. The Quails are pretty birds! Take care, have a great week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun, for hosting and for the comment. I am almost back to normal.
Take care, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your link and comment. It does look like a difficult name to pronounce. Have a great week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jill, for your link and comment. I enjoyed your bird post, I would love to see those Spoonbills.
Take care, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Katerina, for your visit and comment. Take care, have a wonderful week!

italiafinlandia said...

Nice to see the place and the lovely critters. I do like the Quail In particular.
The Cactus is awesome too.
Happy weekend and thanks for sharing!

GreenComotion said...

What a delightful post, Eileen. I too want to go back to the days of meeting friends. While I am waiting for that dimension, I meet many a feathered or furry friend, each time I visit a park, which I sincerely believe is a blessing.
In your post for this week, I was so happy to see many a bird whose name I didn't know. The photographs are beautiful (so what if the lighting was a bit off, eh?). Thanks for hosting. Be well!

EricaSta said...

Thank you, dear Eileen, for linking at MM... and thank you too for your nice comment.
Hugs by Heidrun

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Good pics! Glad you adjusted the pic of the Red Start so we could see the little white streak. Interesting to see the Goldfinch with the black on the top of his head. So different that ours. Nice collage of the sculptures and flowers.

Lydia C. Lee said...

Theres a lot there, but the yellow brested bird in the yellow flowers is a fab shot!! Camoflauged!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for your visit and comment. Take care, enjoy your day, wishing you a great week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and comment. I love seeing the feathered and furry friends on my walks. Take care, enjoy your day, wishing you a great week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for hosting Heidrun,! Take care, enjoy your day, wishing you a great week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Judy, for your comment and visit. The goldfinch is pretty, a little different than the American Goldfinches.
Take care, enjoy your day, wishing you a great week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lydia, for your link and comment. The Goldfinch is a pretty bird, it blended well with the yellow flowers.
Take care, enjoy your day, wishing you a great week ahead.

Rose said...

I so love all the cacti....they all seem to have the most gorgeous blooms. The Thrasher looks interesting...I need to look it up. Just to see what is said about it.

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen
I hope you had a good weekend and that the new week has started well.

A lovely post and I especially liked your mosaic pictures from the Meadows Garden Park, and isn't that a wonderful message on the sign :)

All the best Jan

Shiju Sugunan said...

Lovely bird sightings! Congratulations on your lifers!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Rose, I loved seeing all the different cacti blooming. The Thrasher is a cool bird, they have pretty eyes.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan, your comment is appreciated! Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Shiju, for your link and comment. I enjoy seeing all the new birds in Arizona. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

Stewart M said...

Hi there - I have left a link to a post about Wombats! Great Birds in your post. SM

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Stewart, for the visit and comment. Have a great day!

Happy Monday!

  Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "Calm is a super power. Don't let stress kill your happiness." "Jud...