Saturday, July 13, 2024

Saturday's Critters # 552

 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!


I am taking you back to Arizona, on April 26th we were up early to do some birdwatching at the Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson. Sweetwater is a water treatment facility and an urban wildlife habitat. It is also a birding hotspot, it is said over 320 bird species have been found at this spot. It is an easy walk on the trails around several ponds, marshes, native trees and shrubs. We saw lots of lizards, a cute turtle and a rabbit.






Below are some of the waterfowl we saw while birdwatching at Sweetwater Wetlands; the Common Moorhen, American Coots, Pied-billed Grebe, Cinnamon Teal, more American Coots and a few Cormorants.





Common Gallinule or known as the Common Moorhen until July 2011, it has a bright red shield on it's head and a red bill with a tip of yellow. 





The adult Cinnamon Teal has a red head and body and has a brown back.





Below are the Verdin, Yellow Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Common Yellowthroat Warbler, Lesser Goldfinches and a second Yellow Warbler. 






The male Lesser Goldfinch, has a dark head and back and bright yellow underparts. 





The male Yellow Warbler is a  brilliant yellow and has rusty red streaks on the breast.




Below are the Vermilion Flycatcher male and female, White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's Quail, Red-winged Blackbird and am I guessing a Broad-billed Hummingbird. 





The Abert's Towhee, reminds me of the female Cardinal. They have a long tail, a dark face and brown plumage.





The White-crowned Sparrow has gray face and black and white streaks on it's head. 









 The Vermilion Flycatcher is one of my favorite birds. It is not a lifer on this trip, I first saw this bird in Belize. The male is a brilliant red with Brown-black back and wings. 




Not critter related but here is my beautiful granddaughter Sophie. 





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!

116 comments:

Anu said...

Hello Eileen.
A huge number of different birds! Thanks for sharing these photos. Your grandchild is adorable.
Have a wonderful weekend.

roentare said...

All these bird varieties are so good to admire

Shiju Sugunan said...

Wonderful sightings and photos! I especially loved the Common Moorhen, which we also have here and is presently featured in my blog. Your grandchild is such a cute bundle!

Mae Travels said...

First, congratulations on the new addition to your family. She looks beautiful.
Tucson's birds are beautiful -- I have enjoyed Sweetwater a couple of times, and it's wonderful what they made from such an unexpected and otherwise unloved area!
Thanks for hosting... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Soma @ InkTorrents.com said...

That's an incredible variety. Gorgeous colors! Sophie is lovely! Have a wonderful weekend and thank you so much for hosting!

-Soma

Angie's Recipes said...

Congratulations on your new family member, Eileen. Sophie looks quite tall and gorgeous! Love that Yellowthroat Warbler..have never seen one over here. Have a great weekend!

Cloudia said...

Wow! I wondered about a wetlands in Tucson. Glad you explained to us that it's man-made. One can understand why birds for miles and miles around must be attracted to this lush source of water and probably food. Thanks for sharing Eileen had for hosting. Aloha

italiafinlandia said...

First of all congratulations for Sophie. 😊
Then my favourites in this post: the Vermillion flycatcher and the Cinnamon teal. Both critters which I cannot meet in my corner of the world.
Happy weekend!

Rostrose said...

Oooooh, dear Eileen, first of all I have to congratulate you on your adorable and beautiful granddaughter! Best wishes to the whole family!
Now to your sightings in the Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson. I am very happy that you actually saw so many birds there and there were some very remarkable specimens. It doesn't surprise me that the gorgeous red Vermilion Flycatcher is one of your favorite birds. The Yellow Warbler with its brilliant plumage and the Lesser Goldfinch are also real feasts for the eyes. But the less conspicuous birds and those that we see more often are also a joy. Lizards, the cute turtle and the rabbit are also very nice sightings <3
I couldn't take part in your linkup last week because we were in the Wachau. That's why you're getting two posts from me today :-)
All the best and have a nice weekend Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/07/sommerliche-leichtigkeit-in-der-wachau.html

EricaSta said...

Dear Eileen, good Morning. Here is again another wonderful post. I read every paragraph with enthusiasm. Seeing the wonderful scenes with the Bildschirm.

The picture of your granddaughter especially warms the heart. Sophie looks so cute. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Have a good time. Hugs by Heidrun

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
Beautiful series of photos and collages from Arizona.
The Vermilion Flycatcher is my favorite this time,
What a cute granddaughter you have.
I wish you a nice weekend.
Greetings Irma

NatureFootstep said...

wonderful to see that there are still birds somewhere. Where I live they are now rare. :(

Anu said...

The link to my blog is not working. I do not know what to do. I'm trying a new link. If anyone knows what i can do please let me know.

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,
I like your header very much. The forest is very beautiful. The Vermilion Flycatcher is a very special bird. Great catch!
Sophie is very sweet! Take care, and enjoy your weekend!

Iris Flavia said...

The turtle sure made me laugh.
We´re under extreme strtess, work-wise, and my friens said on the phone, I´m hungry, I need to take my turtle-med first - German Schildkröte > turtle - she meant Schilddrüse, thyroid!
The medication needs 30 minutes (slow like a turtle, huh) only then you can eat (I have the same) - so now as "running gag" we say Schildkröte, turtle

The Cinnamon Teal is beautiful! Mother Nature sure has a lot of different birds!
They are ALL beautiful! Thank you for sharing! Here in the city... no such birds...

Awww, Sophie Elena sure is a cutie pie!
Oh, sorry, Sophie, I meant
(My big Niece is called Mia. But when nasty she gets her second name, too, "Mia Luisa!!!!")
Have a happy Saturday!

John's Island said...

Hi Eileen, When on my waterfront walks, my thoughts are often drawn to the fascination of nature, and sometimes, when I’m lucky, I get a neat capture of, say, a little bird, it makes my day. If I could be lucky enough to have taken the steps you did through the Sweetwater Wetlands, I hope I’d get some neat captures like you did! 😊 Thanks for sharing all your photos and congratulations on your sweet granddaughter Sophie! John

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Welcome to the world Sophie Elena! It's full of wonderful things which your Grandma will be able to share with you - like these pretty birds and other critters. YAM xx

MadSnapper said...

Welcome Sophie Elena, I do love her name.. the yellow warbler is my favorite because yellow says joy... the red ones are my favorite color... who knew AZ had this many song birds

Tom said...

..Eileen, you saved the best for last. Congratulations.

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Eileen,
What a nice post. Congratulations with Elena. A wonderful name and so cute to see her.
Your other pictures of all different birds are very nice. Some are so special to see. Very great!!

Many greetings and I wish you all the luck with your granddaughter. Enjoy of her!!
Marco

chica said...

Eileen,adorei os bichos sozinhosou em mosaicos.Tudo lindo!

Mas tua netinha é uma linda bonequinha! Um amor!

Novamente parabéns! beijos, curtam bem! chica

Alexandra said...

Oh how precious Sophie is!

I wonder if some of your sightings on this April day in Tucson would be the same birds that I get to see come springtime here in Calgary. We get to see some of the same species. I noticed a Yellow Warbler that I saw had a band on its leg. What a story that little bird could tell!

Barbara Rogers said...

Wonderful critters today...love all the yellow birds! Great to see your new grandbaby too! Have a great weekend!

Jenn Jilks said...

I am always amazed at the range of species you find. Especially in April.
Elena is adorable! Thanks for sharing her.

Bill said...

Beautiful sightings and photos. Your granddaughter is so adorable, congrats!

Jeanie said...

You saw some wonderful things during your trip, Eileen, but that male yellow warbler against the blue sky -- absolutely perfect! And oh, little Sophie! What a darling baby! She's actually pretty! (Not all babies are, except to their moms of course, but she's like a delicate flower!)

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Anu, for your link and comment. We do love our sweet granddaughter, she is adorable. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Roentare, for your link and your comment.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Shiju, for your link and your comment!.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Mae, for your link and your comment.
The Tucson birds were beautiful. The Sweetwater was a great place for birdwatching.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Soma, for your link and your comment.
We think Sophie is lovely too, a joy!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, for your comment and your visit.
All the warblers are beautiful!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Cloudia, for your link and your comment.
I guess the birds do not mind it is a man made habitat.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Traude, for both of your links and your comment.
Sophie is adorable, so sweet. I am glad I researched areas in Tucson for birdwatching. This park was great.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun, for your link and your comment.
Sophie is a joy, so adorable.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Irma, for your link and your comment!.
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a beauty.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Monica, for your link and your comment.
It is sad to think the birds in your area have disappeared, that is not good.
Take care, have a great weekend.

Intelliblog said...

Wonderful photos of the marvellous variety of critters, Eileen. Congratulations on the arrival of the new granddaughter! Thanks for hosting, and have a good week.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Anu, your second link is working fine. I am not sure why the error is there.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit, for your comment and your visit.
The header is a scene from our local bike trail, it is a pretty spot for our walks.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Iris, for your link and your comment.
I hope the meds are helping you. I agree, there are so many beautiful birds.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you John, for your comment and your visit.
I was glad I research Tucson's birding hotspots, Sweetwater is one of them.
I was lucky capturing some of the great birds we saw!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you YAM, for your link and your comment.
We will enjoy spoiling sweet Sophie, just as much as her brothers.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Sandra, thanks for the comment on my blog.
We like the Sophie name too, she is so sweet.
The Yellow and the Red birds are some of my favorites too.
Take care, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marco, for your comment and your visit.
We do love being grandparents, Sophie and her brothers are a joy!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Chica, for your comment and your visit.
I am bias, Sophie is beautiful.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Alexandra, for your link and your comment.
It would be interesting to look up the band, to see the warbler's story.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Barb, for your link and your comment.
The yellow birds are beautiful, I still love all the birds.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jenn, for your link and your comment.
Yes, Sophie is so adorable!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bill, for your link and your comment.
Take care, have a great weekend.

Lea said...

Great photos!
The Vermillion Flycatcher is an amazing bright color - beautiful!
Sweet photo of your new granddaughter.
Have a wonderful weekend

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jeanie, for your link and comment. Sophie is a sweetie, a joy for the whole family. The Yellow Warbler is a pretty bird. I enjoyed our Arizona trip! Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nick, for your link and your comment.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lea, for your link and your comment.
The Flycatcher is a beauty! Sophie is adorable.
Take care, have a great weekend.

magiceye said...

Beautiful captures as always!
Happy weekend!

ellen b. said...

Love the flycatcher! How very sweet to now have a little granddaughter to love!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Congratulations on your beautiful new granddaughter, she is a little sweetie!!

Imagine a wetlands with wildlife at a waste treatment facility, and such variety you found and were able to photograph. I go hiking and I can identify the birds based on their sounds with my Merlin app but man do I have a tough time finding them. Many of the them are so little that they are here now and then gone. It is still lots of fun.

Red said...

Terrific place to bird. You could probably spend the whole day in one spot and let the birds come to you.

Rose said...

Sophie is a darling! I so would love to see a yellow warbler...they are so bright and beautiful...not that all birds aren't.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ellen, for your comment and your visit.
We do love all our grandchildren, the newest granddaughter is adorable.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yogi, for your link and your comment.
The waste treatment facilities seem to attract birds, even one in Baltimore.
I have been enjoying the Merlin app, I am hearing so many birds that even I can not find.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Red, for your comment and your visit.
It's true we could sit on one of the benches at this park and let the birds come to us.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Rose, for your comment and your visit.
Sophie is a sweetie. The Yellow Warbler are bright and beautiful.
Take care, have a great weekend.

Penelope Notes said...

What a cute little "critter". You must be thrilled to have a granddaughter, as I know there are two adorable little boys in the family already. Congratulations to you all.

William Kendall said...

Congratulations on your new granddaughter!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Maria, for your link and comment! Yes, having a granddaughter is a joy, all the grandkids are all loved. Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William, I appreciate the comment! Have a wonderful weekend.

carol l mckenna said...

Congrats on your beautiful new grand daughter ~Sophie Elena is Beautiful and precious ~ hugs

Great nature photos as always ~ thanks,

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

RedPat said...

Love that Flycatcher, Eileen.
Sophie has quite good fashion sense already!

Debbie said...

oooooh eileen, so many beautiful birds and critters!! your images of these unusual to be birds, are really spectacular!! the vermilion flycatcher is such a pretty bird, could be a favorite for me also!! you must be thrilled with the capture of the yellow warbler against that blue sky, that is a really special picture. but the most special of all is that little package at the end, you should know better than to include pictures of those little ones in your post...hahahaha, they get all the attention. congrats to you, she is "too cute for words" and i love her name!!

eileeninmd said...

Thank your Carol, for your link and nice comment. Sophie is precious! Grandchildren are a joy! Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you RedPat, for your link and comment. Yes, I think Sophie will be a best dressed baby. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Debbie, for your link and comment. I enjoy seeing all the birds, my simple pleasure watching the birds. Sophie is adorable, we just love all our grandchildren so much. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

Miradas desde mi lente said...

De todas las bella imágenes que has tomado, la que más me ha enternecido es la fotografía de tu nieta.,
Feliz fin de semana. Un abrazo.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your comment and visit. We do love our sweet new granddaughter, she is lovely. Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for your link and comment. Take care, have a great weekend.

rupam sarma said...

Helloo, Hope your are doing well. Loved the post, Amazing photos, Birds looks beautiful.
Lovely pic of Lil Sophie, God Bless. Thanks a lot for hosting.

21 Wits said...

Good morning Eileen and happy Saturday to you and your wonderful growing family. I so miss those days of babies and toddlers it's such a joy and being a parent and grandparent no matter what the age rules in so many wonderful ways. We are all blessed. Then throw in these great and amazing days of critters and nature waiting to be found, it's a win win! Be happy take care of you.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and comment. Sophie is lovely and I agree that the birds are also beautiful.
Have a great day and a happy new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for your link and comment. I agree we are blessed with beautiful grandchildren, happy and healthy too. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

Sophie is beautiful! Love that cinnamon teal also, we rarely see them in our area.

Marie Smith said...

Congratulations on the arrival of your new little sweetie. Such joy!

HappyK said...

Sophie sure is adorable. She steals the picture today. :)
Your critter photos as always are amazing.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

AHHHHH! Your granddaughter is gorgeous Eileen. Great selection of different birds in this whole post Many thanks for them all. Also thanks for hosting and commenting. Have a wonderful week ahead

Linda said...

Marvelous pictures! Your granddaughter is precious!

s.c said...

Sophie tops all. I see a wonderful time for you with her in the future.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the comment! I have only seen the Cinnamon Teal in the Western part of the USA. It was great to see them. Take care, have a great day and a happy new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for you comment and visit. Sophie is adorable! Take care, enjoy your day and have a great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Margaret for your link and comment. Take care, enjoy your day and have a great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your link and comment. Take care, enjoy your day and have a great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for the comment. Yes, we will love visiting Sophie and her brothers. Take care, enjoy your day and have a great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marie, Sophie is a joy! Take care, enjoy your day and have a great new week!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am late coming to the party this weekend, Eileen. I was out all day yesterday leading a birding trip and by the time we returned home and had dinner it was after 8pm and we just relaxed for a while. Vermilion Flycatcher is one of those birds that imprints on your memory after the first sighting. It is nothing short of spectacular!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David, for your link and comment. I will always remember my first sighting of the Vermilion Flycatcher, it is a beauty! Have a great day and a wonderful week!

Katerinas Blog said...

First of all congratulations on the new granddaughter,
she is adorable!
Very nice post,
how many creatures you have captured!
Have a beautiful and creative week Eileen!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Katerina! I do enjoy finding and photographing the wildlife. My new granddaughter is a joy! Take care, have a wonderful week!

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen
Lovely to see all the birds in your photographs and mosaics.
Many congratulations to all the family, a lovely photograph of your beautiful new granddaughter Sophie.

All the best Jan

DeniseinVA said...

Welcome to the World Sophie Elena :) you are a sweet, darling little baby :) Congratulations to her parents and to you and hubby. A joyful time for you all! I love her name! And thank you for another wonderful series of nature photos, all thoroughly enjoyed. Happy day to you and have a great week Eileen!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Eileen, as always, I have so missed seeing your **amazing** photos, from the places you've been - Thanks for taking us along.

I hope you're doing well, and staying cool on your side of the Potomac. Finally, congratulations on the new addition to your family!! Your Granddaughter is beautiful, and I know she will bring your family so much joy and happiness - CONGRATULATIONS!! ❤❤❤

Lydia C. Lee said...

Gorgeous pictures as ALWAYS BUT TH MOST GORGEOUS IS THAT BONNIE BABY! hOW DARLING! (IGNORE CAPS!)

Teresa said...

Tu nieta se ve tan linda, me encantó conocerla. Tus avistamientos me gustan mucho. Abrazos.

Veronica Lee said...

Congrats on the new grandkiddo - she is super adorable!
Loved the glorious sightings and photos.
Your critter post is delightful as always, Eileen.

Happy Monday!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan, for your comment and visit. Have a great day and a happy week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Denise, for your comment and visit.
Sophie is a sweetie!
Have a great day and a happy week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Kim, for your comment and visit.
It has been hot and humid, I hope you are staying cool.
Have a great day and a happy week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lydia, for your comment and visit.
Sophie is a joy, so sweet!
Have a great day and a happy week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Teresa, I appreciate the comment. We are thrilled to have a new granddaughter, she is a sweetie.
Take care, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Veronica, We do love our new granddaughter, she is adorable. Take care, have a wonderful week!

Jill Harrison said...

Always lovely to visit you and see where you have been wandering. I even have some birds this week on my blog! Your grand-daughter is way too gorgeous. Grandchildren are a fabulous new direction in life. Enjoy. Have a fabulous week, and thankyou again for the linkup.

Sharon Wagner said...

You have a rainbow of birds today!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jill, for your link and comment. Hubby and I love being grandparents, Sophie is beautiful. Take care, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sharon, for your link and comment. The birds are colorful, so pretty. Take care, have a wonderful week!

EricaSta said...

Thanks for the nice comment. And for the congratulations too.

I am very happy about the contribution to MosaicMonday again.
Hugs by Heidrun

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun, for hosting and for the comment. Have a great day and happy week ahead.

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "Whatever your beliefs, spread love not hate." East Paden Twin Bridge, Fishing...