The Cactus Wren•dition

VOLUME LXXIII NO. 2 SUMMER – 2020

Elegant Trogon by Samantha Starr

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 1 Contents 2 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE President’s Message 3 It is Spring in the Sonoran Desert—days are warming, fl owers are Letter from the Editor blooming, are returning from the tropics, and the Governor of Arizona has announced a Stay-at-Home Order due to the 4 COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in the United States. Patience, Conservation Update forbearance, taking precautions, self-quarantines, imposed 5 isolation, lack of social activity, cancellations, handwashing, social Announcements distancing—these are some of the terms of the day. And here are Poem by David Chorlton just a few of the results: • All Spring Maricopa Audubon Society fi eld trips—cancelled. 6 Mark W. Larson • Th e April Maricopa Audubon Society meeting of the The Most Elegant in North membership—cancelled. America by Richard Cachor Taylor • Th e 2020 Maricopa Audubon Society Annual Election of Offi cers—postponed. 8 • Th e 2020 Maricopa Audubon Society Annual Banquet—cancelled. The Turning Year / A Year in • A fi rst-of-its-kind cooperative meeting of Arizona and New Mexico Audubon Paradise by Jackie Lewis Chapters—cancelled. • Health eff ects on Audubon members—not yet known. 10 • Long-term impact on the Maricopa Audubon Society—not yet known. Rescue and Rehab 11 Across this country people are getting sick and people are dying from this insidious From Costa Rica disease. At this point, no one can predict how long this scourge will last or what damage it will do, either to our health or to our economy, but what I can assure you is that the 12-13 Maricopa Audubon Society will endure. We will endure because our mission is too Photograph by Peter Bartsch important, too critical, and too vital for future generations.

14 Looking through this ‘fog of war’ we can see other challenges ahead. We are cooperating Adventures in Costa Rica by Mark W. Larson with the Center for Biological Diversity on a lawsuit to prevent the loss of one of Arizona’s great environmental treasures: the San Pedro River. We’ve known for some years 16 that growth in the San Pedro Valley is drawing down the water table jeopardizing the Birding by Gail Walton priceless riparian gallery forest along the river. Th at forest supports endangered species of plants, provides essential habitat for resident species of birds and other wildlife, and is a 17 critical migration corridor for millions of Neotropical birds. Wren*dition Revisited 18 Th is is just one example of the work of your Maricopa Audubon Society. Help us keep In the Arts: Alexandra Bowers going, no matter how long the virus rages and no matter its eff ects. @

20 Mark W. Larson The Green Scene by Vicki Hire President 23 Photograph by Peter Bartsch

On the cover

Elegant Trogon by Samantha Starr Taken with a Nikon D500 with the Sigma 150-600mm Sports lens.

2 Committees/Support LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Arizona Audubon Council Rep Position Open

Th e doors to the outside world may be closed but our windows Bookstore are open. While we can’t enjoy fi eld trips, we can still keep Sochetra Ly track of our backyard birds where we are lucky enough to have 503 860-0370 them to watch. We had a brief visit from a Hooded Oriole to indicate the changing season, and White-winged Doves are Poet Laureate showing up as the White-crowned Sparrows move along. I had David Chorlton intended to make this a colorful issue, featuring Arizona’s fl ash of 480 705-3227 brilliance, the Elegant Trogon, and as our situation became clear I hoped to lighten the collective mood with a bright selection of Maricopa Audubon Website http://www.maricopaaudubon.org David Chorlton photographs, from Arizona and Costa Rica. The Earth has received the embrace of Elegant Trogons come to us from the tropics, and that region is familiar to our President, the sun and we shall see the results of Mark Larson, who writes here about some of his experiences in Costa Rica. Roberta and that love. I also loved being in Costa Rica and at Rara Avis some years ago we met a couple from Germany who became good friends. Peter Bartsch is an expert on frogs and conveys his knowledge to school classes in Bochum. We met up again in 2013 at Selva Verde Lodge, Sitting Bull where Peter took photographs shown here. An Investment in Closer to home, Richard Cachor Taylor wrote a book that is a fi ne reference for the Elegant Trogon and some pages here give an introduction. Many of you will be familiar the Future with the bird’s unique call heard along certain trails in Madera Canyon or the Chiricahuas, Bequests are an important source of a sound we look forward to following again. A trip to the Chiricahuas might include a support for the Maricopa Audubon visit to the George Walker House in Paradise, once and briefl y a lively mining town and Society. Your chapter has dedicated now is more tranquil. Th e miners are long gone, but birds abound. itself to the protection of the natural world through public education We have more advice on what to do should you fi nd a bird in need of help from Fallen and advocacy for the wiser use and Feathers, and art by Alexandra Bowers. Whatever avenues are closed to us, we have our preservation of our land, water, air and memories and imaginations, those close allies of art. other irreplaceable natural resources.

We shall return to our favorite trails. Field trips will happen again. Our monthly meetings You can invest in the future of our natural will give us chance to be in the company of other MAS members, and the business of world by making a bequest in your will conservation and studying birds and other wildlife continues. You will fi nd information to the Maricopa Audubon Society. Talk on membership inside the back cover. Show a friend the Wren*dition and encourage more to your attorney for more information on participation once we open our doors again and put on our hiking boots. Meanwhile, stay how this can be accomplished. safe, and don’t let the little fl ame of imagination be extinguished. @

David Chorlton Editor Sign up for the e-newsletter! To receive updates and supplements to The Cactus Wren•dition, sign up for the monthly (September to May) e-newsletter. Maricopa Audubon Society is now No membership required. It includes registered on Amazon as a charitable meeting and fi eld trip reminders, special organization. Go to the MAS Facebook events, and citizen science projects. page for details or use the follow- To subscribe, email: [email protected] ing AmazonSmile link for Maricopa Audubon Society: https://smile.amazon. Note: We do not use the email list for com/ch/86-6040458 anything other than the described purpose. Log onto your Amazon account and a percentage of your purchase will go to MAS!

3 Arizona Sister, Adelpha eulalia

CONSERVATION UPDATE THE LATEST ON ISSUES AFFECTING OUR ECOSYSTEMS

by Mark Horlings

EPA Suspends Enforcement On March 31, 2020, the Administration San Pedro River Lawsuit Acting on the truism that every crisis cancelled the Obama standards and On March 18, three environmental contains an opportunity, Andrew announced its own. Th e goal to cut emis- groups, including MAS, sued under Wheeler, head of the Environmental sions dropped from 5% per year to 1.5%. the ESA, seeking to preserve the fl ow Protection Agency, announced on March Th e new standards would allow about of the San Pedro. Litigation seeking to 27, 2020 that EPA would suspend civil 1.5 billion more tons of pollutants in the reduce the Fort’s water use and ground- enforcement of environmental laws atmosphere during the life of the cars pro- water pumping in Sierra Vista has gone and regulations for the duration of the duced under the new standard. on since the 1990s. Courts have repeat- Coronavirus crisis. EPA normally enforces Last year the Administration revoked edly found the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking California’s authority to set its own air and Biological Opinions fl awed. Th e latest suit Water Act, the Resource Conservation emissions standards. California’s tougher alleges that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Oil standards, and its huge market, drove 2014 Biological Opinion was inadequate Pollution Act and Superfund. Perhaps improvements in air quality throughout because it relied on water savings from most important at a time when Covid-19 the country since carmakers wanted to recharge projects that have not worked, threatens people’s ability to breathe, EPA off er all their models in California. Taken credited Fort Huachuca for water savings also enforces the Clean Air Act. Th e EPA together, these changes suggest the fed- realized years earlier, failed to consider cli- cited industry’s lack of staff and inability eral government, not the states, will mate change, and failed to look far enough to get results from laboratories as reasons dictate air pollution policy, and that this into the future. for the suspension. Criminal enforcement Administration will favor the auto makers will continue although, with reporting over the public. requirements suspended, it is not clear how criminal violations would become Endangered Species Studies Be Social! known. EPA did not announce when the Conducted on Private Land to be enforcement suspension would end. Confi dential Find MAS on Facebook On March 10, Governor Ducey signed facebook.com/MaricopaAudubonSociety Auto Emission Standards House Bill 2749, requiring State agen- Cancelled cies to keep any information they obtain In 2012, the Obama Administration on private land about endangered, negotiated auto emission and effi ciency threatened, or potentially endangered standards with car makers. Th e Obama or threatened species confidential. standards were designed to cut emissions Under the new law, a state agency which and increase fuel effi ciency by about collects endangered species informa- 5 percent per year from 2021 to 2025. tion on private land cannot reveal it to Th e new rules were mandatory and were federal authorities, or to other state agen- recognized as the largest single enforce- cies. House Bill 2749 requires the prior able step any country had taken to check permission of landowners for surveys on climate change. private land and imposes a $25,000 civil penalty per violation.

4 THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 Pelicans down from the desert sky ANNOUNCEMENTS #14 meet their wind-ruffl ed refl ections on a pond reclaimed from waste. Above it 2020 Elections & Nominating Committee an osprey slants his wings MAS elections are usually held at our April meeting with the through silver-grey light. newly elected offi cers installed at the annual May banquet. MAS Articles of Incorporation dictate that our elections and The mudfl ats shine annual meetings should be held as close to the second Tuesday while trees along the banks keep in May as is practicable. At this time, the Board of Directors secrets in their roots and tangles has determined the annual banquet, elections and installation and the foot soldiers of leisure stroll of newly elected offi cers will likely take place in September 2020, after the summer hiatus. Because these are uncertain beside them. Watching the water times, that date could change. As we get closer to September, is work to the yellowlegs, you will be informed via this newsletter when a fi nal decision avocets and Canada geese, all on the exact date has been made. of whom leave In the meantime, please send in any suggestions of members signature prints in the shallows for Board positions to our nominating committee. You can although the sources of the latest even nominate yourself! Make a nomination by contacting the political alarm remain one of the following: anonymous. Warnings fl y Nominating Committee with vagrant species across Tim Flood (chair) tjfl [email protected] the country on its day of Thanks. Mel Bramley [email protected] It’s a laid back, slow step

Joy Bell [email protected] TRAJECTORIES kind of morning; stop and stare Wanted: Christmas Bird Count co-ordinator. into the winter branches to get a better If you are interested in compiling the Salt-Verde Christmas look at a kinglet, to feel Bird Count, please contact Mark Larson at larsonwarren@ the warning’s shadow brush gmail.com against your face the moment Western Field Ornithologists 2020 High School you look up to better see the passing heron Student Essay Contest imprinted as a watermark by David Chorlton by Th e Western Field Ornithologists is holding an essay contest on the low lying clouds. in 2020 for students in grades 9 through 12. Applicants must be a current WFO member or they may join at the $10 annual student rate when the essay is submitted.

Th e theme of the essay contest is the impact of climate change on bird populations. Climate change is adversely aff ecting western bird populations now and these impacts will likely be more severe and widespread in the near future. Your essay should focus on climate change, its causes and consequences, and the eff ect of these environmental changes on bird populations today and likely in the future. Your essay may consider climate change broadly or it may explore a narrow or specifi c aspect of climate change.

Full guidelines at: https://www.westernfi eldornithologists.org/ docs/2020/WFO_2020_HS_Student_Essay_Contest.pdf

Gilbert Riparian by David Chorlton

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 5 HE MOST ELEGANT TBIRD IN NORTH AMERICA by Richard Cachor Taylor

Elegant Trogon by Shirley Ramaley Trogons belong to a pan-tropical family of birds hump-backed when resting. “Coppery-tailed” denoted T encompassing 41 members distinguished by their richly a physical trait peculiar to this species alone, one shared colored, iridescent plumage. Taxonomically, the trogons by no other member of the trogon tribe. With a dutiful exhibit two characters shared by no other groups. Like nod to the Law of Priority that, at least in theory, parrots and most woodpeckers, trogons have two of guided the A.O.U. Checklist naming committee, it’s a their four toes pointing backward; but, in the trogons, shame that the descriptive name Coppery-tailed was it is the fi rst and second digits—instead of the fi rst and changed in favor of a purely subjective adjective. fourth, a condition known as heterodactyl. And North American trogons, excluding the Resplendent Quetzal An Elegant Trogon truly is an elegant bird. I believe and Eared Trogon, have a serrated edge on the upper the adult male is both the most beautiful and the most mandible. Trogonurus, a Greek root, translates to elegant of all the birds of North America. Aesthetics, “the one who gnaws,” and commemorates their however, are a matter of personal taste, and I know saw-tooth bill. others who value the size, fl ight, or song of another species above the color and form of the Elegant Trogon. Th e ancestral family line can be traced back 30 to 40 million years to Archaeotrogon in the humid forests of Habitat: How to Find an Elegant Trogon what is present- day France. Of all the living species, Th e Elegant Trogon’s chosen habitat in Arizona ranging from the 14-inch-long Resplendent Quetzal is Madrean pine-oak woodland. Th is vegetative with its magnifi cent three-foot-long tail coverts to association covers over 25 percent of neighboring the diminutive eight-inch-long Violaceous Trogon, Mexico, but, in Arizona, pine-oak woodland is Arizona’s representative falls within the medium-size sandwiched between desert fl oor and forested highlands class. Elegant Trogons are 11 to 12 inches in overall just north of the Sonora line. Here, fi ve small mountain length and weigh 65 to 75 grams—or about as much islands—the Atascosa, Santa Rita, Huachuca, Patagonia as a man’s wristwatch. Although the sexes overlap in and Chiricahua ranges—harbor the entire breeding size, females tend to be slightly larger than their mates, population found within all the United States. perhaps half an inch on the average. Males generally have bigger bills—a single millimeter bigger. Moreover, Arizona trogons are confi ned to major stream corridors that cut through the pine-oak Arizona trogons belong to the subspecies ambiguous, a formation. Th e combination of waters fl owing down northern, migratory form in which the wing chord, tail from the peaks and daily infl uxes of heat rising off the length, and overall dimensions are typically one-half to desert creates a rich, almost tropically luxuriant, gallery one inch greater than for resident populations of Trogon forest in the canyon zone where trogons live. elegans from Sinaloa, Mexico to Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Based on size and subtle plumage distinctions, Because Elegant Trogons are canyon dwellers, they the Coppery-tailed Trogon was regarded as a separate are physically protected from many climate extremes. species from 1835 to 1956, when it was “lumped” with High ridge walls aff ord shady relief from the Arizona the southern Elegant Trogon. sun and a shield against desiccating summer winds. Canyons promote good cold air drainage. Drought has In 1983, the name Coppery-tailed Trogon was little eff ect on the large watersheds because subsurface offi cially changed to Elegant Trogon by the American fl ow keeps the trees and understory alive and healthy. Ornithological Society. Frequently the modifi er Th e double-decker, dense vegetation, in turn, off ers yet “Elegant” fails to describe the bird. Trogons assume another buff er of protection against sun, wind, and cold, a pigeon-like posture at rest that I refer to in my notes as well as maintaining a humidity level unusually high as “hump-backed.” Relaxing Eared Quetzals and for Arizona. @ even Resplendent Quetzals adopt the exact same pose, which can really only be described as awkward-looking. Excerpted from the book, Trogons of the Arizona Borderlands, by Richard Cachor Taylor, Treasure Chest All trogons, regardless of species, can be elegant, just Publications, Inc., 1994. Richard lives in the as they are all beautiful, all gorgeous, and possibly all Chiricahua Mountains.

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 7 A Year in PARADISE BY JACKIE LEWIS

elcome to Paradise! Join me on the yard benches as farther north. Watching the agave stalk that has oranges, as we watch the seasons change with the birds. peanut butter and jelly is like watching a blinking Christmas WBy the middle of February, I am ready for the tree as the diff erent species trade places. Acorn and Arizona additional color that is brought by the migrating species. Woodpeckers join the yellow, orange, red and blue. But, I have to wait until the end of March when the year- Other species in the area may not come to the feeders in the round and wintering species are joined by colorful migrant yard but can often be seen through the foliage and heard at breeding birds. dawn. Brown-crested, Dusky-capped and Dusky Flycatchers; First to arrive are Rivoli’s, Black-chinned & Broad-billed Western and Cassin’s Kingbirds; Black & Say’s Phoebe; . Th e Broad-tailed, Rufous and occasional Greater Roadrunner; Canyon, Bewick’s and House Wrens; Calliope come in and most continue north. We do have a occasional Spotted, Canyon and Green-tailed Towhees. breeding population of Broad-tailed in the Chiricahuas. Th e On a good morning we can see forty to fi fty species in two Blue-throated Mountain Gem is a breeder that prefers the hours. We may need to refi ll the tea, coff ee, or water but the riparian areas of the mountains but often graces me with show goes on. My yard list includes approximately 210 species. its presence. 150 or so show up every year. We’re lucky when the Juniper Scott’s Orioles with their beautiful song arrive before the Titmouse and Montezuma Quail come into the yard. Hooded and Bullock’s Orioles. By mid-April we will have Once you’ve had your fi ll in the yard, you will fi nd additional Black-headed Grosbeak; Summer, Hepatic and Western species around the Chiricahuas. Painted Redstarts, Olive, Tanagers. Th e yellows and oranges stand out against the new Grace’s, Lucy’s, Virginia’s, Red-faced and Black-throated Gray green leaves. Once in a while we have a “lost” Rose-breasted Warblers; and Elegant Trogon are fairly easy to see by the fi rst Grosbeak or Lewis’s Woodpecker. part of May. We have to wait until late May for the Sulphur- Th e kaleidoscope of colors increases late April with the bellied Flycatcher. A day trip from Willow Tank to the top of arrival of the blues. Lazuli Bunting are typically here less than the mountain can yield at least 120 species in one day during 2 weeks. Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting breed here as well spring and summer.

Baby Ringtail by Jackie Lewis

8 THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 Scott’s Oriole by David Chorlton

Mexican Chickadee by Jackie Lewis

In late summer we start to see the arrival of migrants traveling to winter grounds. Many of those species pass Help MAS with an through while others stay for the winter. By the middle , of October we are seeing very few of the brightly colored EMPLOYER MATCHING GIFT birds. And I need to get through a dreary winter once again – longing for spring. @

Jackie Lewis lives next door to, and manages, the George Walker Many Maricopa Audubon members aren’t aware that their House in Paradise in the Chiricahua Mountains. Th e yard is open employers may include a matching gift program in their year-round for day birders, and the Walker House is available as a benefi ts package. Programs vary from business to business, B & B. To fi nd out more, go to http://thegeorgewalkerhouse.com but they generally offer a dollar-for-dollar match when an employee makes a personal gift to a nonprofi t organization like Maricopa Audubon Society.

Please visit your human resources department or charitable giving department to see if this opportunity is available to you. You usually have to fi ll out and submit a form, which Visitors at the Walker House by is sometimes done online. If you have already made a David Chorlton donation to MAS in the past year, you may be able to get a matching gift after the fact from your employer for up to 12 months later.

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 9 EMERGENCY CARE for Injured Birds + BY KAYLA BRADLEY PHOTOS BY PAUL HALESWORTH

House Finch nestlings Barn Owl hatchling Baby mockingbirds

HOW DO I KNOW IF A BIRD NEEDS HELP? HOW DO I PROVIDE TEMPORARY CARE? WHERE DO I GET HELP? Try to assess from a distance. If you see Birds have a higher body temperature Certain bird rescues only provide aid for the bird caught by a cat or dog, limping, than humans at about 100°F. If you have specifi c types of birds. You can visit our dragging a wing, missing a body part, a heating pad, place it on a low to medium website to see a list of local rescues to or bleeding, this bird needs your help. setting. Th e pad should be warmer than fi nd whomever is closest to you. @ Capture and contain it. If you think your your hand, but not hot to the touch. bird may be a bird of prey (owl, hawk, Kayla Bradley works with Fallen Feathers, falcon, etc.), do not attempt to capture Babies: If you have a baby bird, make which operates on the west side of the Valley it. Contact a local rehab. Once you have sure it is warmer than your hand. If it is in Peoria. https://fallenfeathers.org it contained, you may off er the bird opening its mouth for food, don’t give food. Under certain conditions you may it a bowl of water or food. Instead, take off er it water. Never drop water into a dry dog or cat food and soak it in water. bird’s mouth. When it becomes spongy, break it up into small pieces. Make sure the pieces are not EATH N F ERS dripping water, and squeeze a little out if LE .O WHEN A BABY BIRD IS ON THE GROUND, IT L R A G MAY NOT NEED HELP. needed. You can now place a few small F pieces in the baby bird’s mouth. It will If the bird is a fl edgling (has patchy feath- provide the necessary nutrition and water. ering), it is likely being cared for by its If your baby bird doesn’t open its mouth parents. Most birds leave the nest two for food and it has a long thin beak, it MISSION weeks before they can fl y. Th is teaches may be a pigeon or a dove. Th ese babies them how to survive with the assistance need to be tube fed. Do not attempt this. We help orphaned, lost, and injured of their parents. Observe the surroundings Keep them warm and bring them to your wild birds all over Arizona with the to see if the parents are nearby, possibly local bird rehab. goal of rehabilitating them back to guarding their baby from a tree. If you health and releasing them back into don’t see them, watch this baby for at Adults: If the bird is fully feathered, you the wild. We also assist in locating least an hour. Th e parents may have left to may provide it with food. Before giving the homes of lost, domesticated collect food for the baby. If they don’t water, assess the bird’s behavior. If it has exotic birds. return to the area within an hour, this trouble keeping its head up or is acting fl edgling needs help. Once you have lethargic (sleepy), do not give this bird determined this bird needs help, you will water. Instead, follow the same steps to want to bring it to a bird rehab. Do not make food for baby birds and give them attempt to rehabilitate this bird yourself. a bowl of spongy cat or dog food. Never Th e sooner it is brought to a rescue, the drop water in a bird’s mouth. Th e airway better chance it has to recover and be is located under the tongue. released back into the wild.

10 THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 A

FROM COSTA RICA B

C

E

D

LEGEND A. Elegant Euphonia at Savegre Lodge by Mark W. Larson

B. Forest at Selva Verde Lodge by David Chorlton

C. Magnifi cent Owl Butterfl y at Selva Verde Lodge by David Chorlton

D. Lesser by Mark W. Larson F E. White-throated Mountain Gem at Savegre Lodge by Mark W. Larson

F. Acorn Woodpecker at Savegre Lodge by Mark W. Larson The Acorn Woodpecker in Costa Rica only occurs in cloud forests that are dominated by Costa Rican oaks, Quercus costaricensis. Usually, these cloud forests are above 6,000 feet of elevation.

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 11

GREEN IGUANA by Peter Bartsch

Photographed on the grounds of Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 13 Three-wattled Bellbird Photographed at the Children’s Rainforest, Monteverde, Costa Rica

Red-eyed tree frog Photographed on the grounds of Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

144 THETHHEHE CCACACTUSCCTCTUTUTUSSW WREN•DITIONWRREENEN•DI•D•DDIITTITIOIOION SUMMERSSUUMMMMMEMMEERR2 202020022020 began travelling to Costa Rica in 1998 because I wanted to experience more of what I had found in Ithe rain forests of southern Mexico as a graduate student many years earlier. At Palenque, a Mayan ruin in the state of Chiapas, I had seen my fi rst toucan, my fi rst tropical tanager, and my fi rst oropendolas. Th ere were parrots, too, and as I sat on top of a temple, a dazzling White Hawk helicoptered down into a clearing in the nearby forest. Th e Neotropical rain forest seemed magical then, and it still does.

Sometime in the 1990s, a friend recommended that I read a book by an American who had lived most of his life in Costa Rica, Alexander F. Skutch, PhD. Th e book was A Naturalist on a Tropical Farm and it changed my life. Dr. Skutch had completed his PhD in botany at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore in the 1930s and was hired to study bananas on a plantation in Panama. He soon became enthralled by tropical birds and went on to become the most accomplished ornithologist of his time in Latin America.

I read some more books by Dr. Skutch and decided that I needed to visit Costa Rica to experience life Great Green Macaws, Photographed near the there for myself. My fi rst trip was in the spring of Sarapiquí River, Costa Rica 1998 and now, after fi fteen more trips, I can say that I certainly got more than I bargained for, but always in a beautiful way.

My visits have taken me to most of that small, incredibly diverse country, and each one has been enjoyable with great birds, butterfl ies and other wildlife, friendly people, and stunning landscapes. Most fun have been some unexpected experiences: On my fi rst trip I watched through my guide’s scope as a striking male Th ree-wattled Bellbird opened his large mouth to utter his echoing “BONK!” call. Th ere have Emerald Basilisk been many other memorable moments such as helping Photographed on the a tamandua (an arboreal anteater) to safely cross a busy grounds of Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiquí, highway, or watching a troop of spider monkeys glide Costa Rica eff ortlessly through the treetops, or having the sacred bird of the Maya, the Resplendent Quetzal, fl y at and then past me with a lizard draped across his bill as if he was a roadrunner.

It seems that I make more friends and see more astonishing Nature on each trip to that small country. Christopher Columbus was right when he called it

Costa Rica! @

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 15 BIRDING IN PANA MA Gail Walton (as told to Vicki Hire) Photos by Gail Walton

American highway. Th ere Camp Canopy Tent are no roads beyond this, just pristine jungle all the Rufous Motmot way to . We stayed in an African-style safari tent. My bathroom, with fl ush toilet, had an open-air shower. When I went in there to use the toilet, a bat would fl y out from under- neath the sink, fl y past my nose as I was captive on the toilet, and fl y out through the shower. Flying fun! One day, we traveled to the river where we took a fi ve-mile trip to a farm- house (with chickens inside MMy Panama trip was my the house), and then a fi ve- fi rst expedition to neo-trop- mile horseback trip through ical birding, and a fantastic the jungle. Next, leaving the Harpy Eagle experience. I added about horses tied up, we went on 150 new species to my life a hike uphill for about two list. I saw many more birds, miles, to the site of a Harpy but I’m not that great of a Eagle nest, where we saw photographer, and some- the mother and her chick in times you just get a glimpse, the nest! Incredible sight. or the birds are hiding So glad I went. It was a very among the foliage or appear exhausting and hot trip but as specks in the sky. so worth it. Th e people are friendly, I’m glad I’m still able and most of them do speak physically to go on these some English because types of trips. Next year Americans leased the in July 2021, I’m going Panama Canal for 100 to Brazil (hopefully the years. We stayed at the pandemic will be over by Canopy Lodge, just west then!) to see jaguars and of Panama City. It is an birds, too. Here are some ecolodge and has feed- pictures of my tent and the ers set up. Th at is where I Harpy Eagle. Th ey are not saw the Rufous Motmot, colorful, but awesome birds

among others. Th e Canopy nonetheless. @ Lodge works with Cornell Ornithology and has cam- In addition to being a eras set up for research. Master Naturalist, Gail has Then I spent another a BS in Biology, an MBA, is week at the Darien Canopy certifi ed to teach grades 6-12, Camp at the end of the Trans and is a certifi ed taxidermist.

16 THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 Looking back through issues of our newsletter I have Wren•dition kept beginning with the summer of 1999, I fi nd several features that make interesting read- ‘ ing a second time around. For instance, REVISITED this piece by Jim Burns in the Spring of 2006 takes us back to when the Peach- faced Lovebird was new to the Valley. Now, of course, we know it as the Rosy-faced Lovebird, but it is still a bright presence.

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 17 IN THE ARTS Alexandra Bowers: Burning onto Wood Q&A

AB: I like the organic, raw due to the fact that we miss aspect of using wood over it because we are asleep. As canvas or paper. Also, uti- of late, my work has revolved lizing wood coupled with around Night Cereus or my subject matter of fl ora “Queen of the Night” night and fauna feels like the per- blooming fl owers. After lots fect marriage of subject and of research and observation, materiality. Lastly, I want to I’ve found many parallel CW: You have chosen a drive home the concept of connections with the fl ower seemingly intricate medium working with heat, and pur- and my romantic relation- for your work. What drew you posely choosing to highlight ships. Th e Sphinx moth is an to wood burning, and how plants and that thrive essential partner for the night does the process function? in extreme environmental bloomer, because it insures AB: I fell into wood burn- conditions creates a bridge the pollination of the fl ower. ing during a fortuitous trip between how my work is cre- Without the Sphinx, the to Home Depot. Th e original ated and the subject matter. fl ower is unable to survive. intention for the trip was to CW: I like the fact that CW: Is your interest in purchase art supplies for art feathers and a nest are nature based on aesthetics studio classes I was taking at returned to a kind of sym- or do you have certain places Arizona State University at bolic forest when you render that inspire you? the time. I was randomly in them on wood. What has AB: I would say both aes- an aisle with soldering irons, recreating this aspect of thetics and certain places THE QUEEN IS BLOOMING and an employee walked up nature done for your personal inspire me. Th e desert in gen- A Thank You to All my Failed Relationships behind me and said “You can sense of nature? eral fascinates me. I grew up Wood Burning and Wax Pigment 15 x 24 inches 2019 wood burn with one of those.” AB: When I recreate in Phoenix, so it’s an environ- So, it was a combination of elements of nature, I’m ment I’m used to, while also right time, right place, and observing it in its most continuously amazed by it. with a perspective of want- minute details. I think creat- Because I’ve grown up with ing to fi nd unique ways of ing work in this capacity has such a close connection to it, creating art, which ultimately helped me appreciate and I think it's become easier to led to my obsession with the view the environment in a draw personal life analogies medium. Th e process func- perspective I would overlook to it. Th e intention behind tions by fi rst sketching out or not take into consideration the work I create is to high- with pencil what I want if my work wasn’t so detail light the natural world for my design to look like, then oriented. Viewing the natural my audience to feel as deeply using diff erent tip styles, I world through this lens has connected to it as I do. @ trace over the graphite with enabled me to emotionally the soldering iron to burn the connect with it, because I’m Alexandra Bowers is a Phoenix image into the wood. After spending so much time with based artist who received her the burning is complete, it while I’m constructing BFA in 2012 from Arizona I erase back the graphite, my work. State University. Inspired and incorporate color ele- CW: Sphinx moths have by the natural surrounding ments using water color long struck me as mysterious. environment Bowers utilizes pencils and water-soluble Why do they interest you? data collected while exploring wax pigment. AB: Creatures of the to produce wood burned CW: What was the appeal night have long fascinated studies of fl ora and fauna she in using wood rather than me. Mostly because of how fi nds along the way. https:// THE FRUITS OF MY LABOR, THE FRUIT canvas or paper? mysterious their world is alexandrabowersart.com OF MY LOINS Wood Burning and Wax Pigment 15 x 24 inches 2019

18 THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 SALVAGED NEST Wood Burning and Watercolor 20 inch Diameter 2017 TO ALL MY LOVERS PAST AND NEW, I MADE THIS FOR YOU Wood Burning and Wax Pigment 15 x 24 inches 2019

FOUND FEATHERS, PART II Wood Burning and Watercolor 6 x 36 inches 2017

FOUND FEATHERS, PART III Wood Burning and Watercolor 8 x 72 inches 2018

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 19 19 True Colors are Shining Through! BY VICKI HIRE

CHEMISTRY OR PHYSICS? Did you know the carotenoid pigment Did you know a group of pigments called is produced by plants and is responsible for porphyrins are produced from modifi ed Did you know the colors in a bird’s mainly yellow, orange and red? Six hundred amino acids and are responsible for vibrant feathers are formed in diff erent ways, types of carotenoids exist. Birds acquire pinks, reds, and brilliant greens? Porphyrins either through physics or chemistry? Th e carotenoids by eating a plant or by eating are found in a handful of species such as structure of a feather creates certain colors. something that has eaten a plant. Pumpkins, peacocks, pigeons, turkeys, and pheasants. Th is is physics. Non-iridescent blue, violet carrots, and tomatoes all contain carotenoid Unlike most birds, peacocks do not derive and white colored plumages (feathers) are pigments, resulting in the orange and red their colors purely from pigments, but from created from light refraction. In other words, colors. Pink Flamingos, Northern Cardinals, a combination of pigments and photonic these colors occur when light bounces off Goldfi nches, and Yellow Warblers are crystals, which refl ect diff erent wavelengths precisely spaced microscopic layers within examples of birds with carotenoid pigments of light depending upon the angle of the the feathers.1 Bluebirds, Indigo Buntings, in their feathers. light and the spacing of the crystals. Th is is and Blue Jays are some of the species whose what causes the iridescent shades of blue, plumage colors result from the structure of Did you know while most birds get green, brown, and yellow commonly found their feathers. the carotenoid pigments from their diets, in a peacock’s train. 4 parrots are diff erent? Parrots biochemically Did you know the best example of manufacture their own colorful plumage Did you know color is important to iridescent color produced by the structure pigments. In parrots, these molecules are birds? Birds rely on their feathers and colors of a feather is in the ? Th e chromophores known as “psittacofulvin to communicate with other birds, especially iridescent colors of a hummingbird’s gorget pigment” because parrots are the only during mating season. A substance called (throat feathers) are the result of refraction animals that make them. “preen wax” is secreted by a gland near the of light off the barbules or branches of a base of every bird’s tail and when the bird feather. In a new study, scientists discovered Did you know the melanin pigment is preens itself using this substance, its feathers the special pancake-shape of melanosomes produced inside specialized cells of a bird gain a deeper color as well as becoming within hummingbirds’ cell structures, which and can produce colors ranging from black water-repellent. Much research has shown enable them to refl ect a rainbow of light.2 to the reddish browns and pale yellows? It is that male birds with well-maintained the only plumage coloring that is genetically plumage are healthier, more socially Did you know some colors are created by encoded. Feathers that contain melanin are dominant, preferred by more females, and pigments, which absorb certain wavelengths stronger and more resistant to wear than have higher reproductive success than their of light? Th is is chemistry. Chemical feathers without melanin. Many otherwise more haggard counterparts.5 pigments are colored substances found in all white birds, such as albatrosses and plants and animals. Th e coloration created petrels, have black feathers on their wings or 1 https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2018/07/06/parrots-use- by pigments is separate and is not related to black wingtips because these fl ight feathers chemistry-and-physics-to-create-brilliantly-colorful-plumage/#4d67b88175f7 2 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/0/200110110909.htm the physical structure of the feather. Pigment are the ones that get the most wear and 3 3 https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/how-birds-make-colorful-feathers colorization in birds comes from three tear. Th e Golden Eagle owes its coloration 4 https://www.quora.com/How-do-peacocks-get-their-color diff erent groups: carotenoids, melanins, and to melanin. Melanin is the same substance 5 https://www.audubon.org/news/what-makes-bird-feathers-so-colorfully- porphyrines.3 that provides color to human skin and hair. fabulous

20 THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 Rosy-faced Lovebird by David Chorlton Western Tanager by Vicki Hire Melanin in feathers by Vicki Hire

Peacock feathers by Vicki Hire

ACROSS 3 Porphyrins and photonic crystals cause the iridescent colors in a ______train True Colors Crossword Puzzle 4 The color in bird feathers are formed through ______and or chemistry 6 Pancake-shaped ______are contained Answers on page 22 within hummingbirds' cell structures 9 ______are good examples of iridescent color produced by the structure of a bird's feathers 12 Melanin is the substance that provides color to______skin and hair 14 ______are the only animals that make psittacofulvin pigment 15 Pink Flamingos, Northern Cardinals, and ______have carotenoid pigments in their feathers 16 Carotenoid pigment is produced by ______17 Another word for a hummingbird's throat feathers 18 A substance that is secreted by a gland near the base of every bird's tail

DOWN 1 Feathers that contain ______are stronger and more resistant to wear 2 ______pigments are colored substances found in plants and animals 3 There are six hundred types of carotenoid ______responsible for mainly yellow, orange and red colors 5 The ______owes it's coloration to melanin 7 Birds rely on their feathers and colors to______during mating season 8 Another word for feathers 10 Non-Iridescent blue feathers in Blue Jays are created from light ______11 Albatrosses and ______have black feathers on their wings because these fl ight feathers get the most wear tear 13 Photonic crystals refl ect different wavelengths of______depending on the spacing of the crystals

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 21 True Colors Crossword Puzzle Answers

GROCERY SHOPPING?

Support Maricopa Audubon when you shop at Fry’s Food Stores.

MAS is part of Fry’s Community Rewards Program. Register your Fry’s VIP card and select Maricopa Audubon #89166 as your non-profi t organization at no cost to you. Go to https://www.frysfood.com/topic/new- community-rewards-program

22 THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 Being a Friend of Maricopa Audubon Society keeps you in touch with Brighten Up! fellow birders and brings you four issues of The Cactus Wren•dition annually. It costs $20, or more if you choose to give additional support, and you can pick up a form at the book sales table during a monthly meeting. Under-eighteens and students of any age pay only $10 annually. You can also sign up by visiting our website: http://maricopaaudubon.org Anything over $20 is tax deductible.

There is more! You can contribute in the best way possible by lending your abilities to our board. Interested? Send an email to: [email protected]

Keel-billed Toucan by Peter Bartsch

THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020 23 Maricopa Audubon Society Non-Profi t Organization P.O. Box 15451 U.S. Postage Phoenix, AZ 85060-5451 PAID Phoenix, AZ Permit No. 419

Time-dated material; do not delay!

MONTHLY MEETING Please see meeting information on page four. Contact a board member if MARICOPA AUDUBON BOARD you have questions, or check out our website at www.maricopaaudubon.org MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION AND HOW TO RECEIVE THE CACTUS WREN•DITION PRESIDENT PUBLICITY Two distinct memberships exist: membership of the National Mark Larson Andrew Cahill Hoppin Audubon Society (NAS) and membership of the Friends of Maricopa 13585 N. 92nd Pl. [email protected] Audubon Society (MAS). Scottsdale, AZ 85260-4333 480 310-3261 CONSERVATION To become a member of the NAS please go to: [email protected] Mark Horlings www.audubon.org/audubon-near-you 334 W. Palm Lane We send The Cactus Wren•dition to all current members of NAS if you are VICE PRESIDENT Phoenix, AZ 85003 assigned to or choose MAS as your local chapter. NAS provides MAS $3.00 Robin Silver, MD 602 505-3455 per year for each member assigned to us. P O Box 1178 [email protected] Flagstaff, AZ 86002-1178 To become a Friend of MAS, please pick up a form at the book sales table at Phone:602 799-3275 PROGRAMS our monthly meeting or visit our website, http://maricopaaudubon.org FAX: 928 222-0077 Laurie Nessel For specifi c questions please contact our Membership Chair. [email protected] 1632 E. Cedar St. Tempe, AZ 85281 SUBMISSIONS SECRETARY 602 391-4303 Copy for The The Cactus Wren•dition must be received by the editor by Sochetra Ly [email protected] email by January 15, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Articles not received 3738 North 12th St. by the deadlines may not appear in the upcoming issue. Some issues may Phoenix, AZ 85014 MEMBERSHIP feature a specifi c focus, so please feel free to enquire and take the theme 503 860-0370 Open into account. Email to: The Cactus Wren•dition Editor, David Chorlton: [email protected] [email protected] EDUCATION TREASURER Open OPINIONS Vicki Hire The opinions expressed by authors in this newsletter do not necessarily PO Box 603 EDITOR refl ect the policy of the National Audubon Society or the Maricopa Chandler, AZ 85244 David Chorlton Audubon Society. 602 463-9219 4239 East Walatowa St. [email protected] REPRINTING OF MATERIAL Phoenix, AZ 85044 FIELD TRIPS 480 705-3227 Unless stated explicitly in the article, material in The Cactus Wren•dition may [email protected] be reprinted in other newsletters as long as the material is credited to the Larry Langstaff original author and to The Cactus Wren•dition. 416 W. McNair St. Chandler, AZ 85225 This publication is printed on recycled paperpaper.. 480 710-0431 LLayoutayout anandd ddesignesign bbyy Ben FFranklinranklin Press Inc., TTempe,empe, AAZZ [email protected]

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24 THE CACTUS WREN•DITION SUMMER 2020