Tag Archives: Phainopepla

On The Road

~Next 2022 park visit – Cave Creek Regional Park

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~Cave Creek Regional Park is located in Maricopa County in Cave Creek, AZ.

We have visited this park many, many times over the years. The park is known for camping, hiking, birding and stargazing just to mention a few.

Here is a blurb from the park’s  website.

Welcome to Cave Creek Regional Park. The park, which is located north of Phoenix, became part of Maricopa County’s regional park system in 1963. This 2,922-acre park sits in the upper Sonoran Desert and ranges in elevation from 2,000 feet to 3,060 feet. This desert oasis provides any hiker and equestrian majestic views. The Go John Trail loops around a mountain to provide the illusion of being miles away from civilization. In the 1870s, fever stricken gold seekers staked their dreams on the jasper-studded hills. Guided trails to these sites give visitors an opportunity to travel back in time.

If one is so inclined to venture out of the regional park you are within easy access to Cave Creek, Carefree, Phoenix, and Scottsdale. But, truly why would you want to leave the park? You’re there to enjoy nature. Right?

Well, perhaps, to grab a bite to eat. One of my favorite places to eat in Cave Creek is Harold’s.  According to their website it has been around since 1935. If you like the feel of an old, western style place serving great food try Harold’s. Here is a bit of their history: https://haroldscorral.com/about/harold-s-history/

If you enjoy watching a sunset and stargazing, Cave Creek is one of the best locations for these activities.

Well, I had to try.

One of my favorite things about this park is the variety of birds that call this area home. And, one of my treasured  things to do is to take photos of them. A few from this visit.

Black-throated Sparrow
Phainopepla
Verdin
Gambel’s Quail

Where to next…..

 

Photos-Birds

~A few bird photos from Cave Creek Regional Park

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~Verdin

A beautiful small bird with a yellow head. They love to feed on Oranges.

~Phainopepla- male

A black bird with red eyes.They like to sit at the top of trees.

~Black-throated Sparrow

Their behavior is true Sparrow. Glad it stayed still for a few seconds!

~Gambel’s Quail

Their feather colors are striking, which blend in with their environment. And, they are always moving.

~~Happy Birding~~

Friday's Feathered Friends, On The Road, Photos-Birds

~A red-eyed Beauty

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~Phainopepla

So how in the heck do you pronounce the name of this red-eyed beauty?     fey i no pep la

 

Notice the red eye.

The phainopepla or northern phainopepla is the most northerly representative of the mainly tropical Central American family Ptiliogonatidae, the silky flycatchers. Its name is from the Greek phain pepla meaning “shining robe” in reference to the male’s plumage.

 

INTERESTING FACTS

  • The Phainopepla is particularly notable for its pattern of breeding twice each year, in two different habitats.

  • An individual eats at least 1,100 mistletoe berries per day, when they are available.

  • When pursued by predators or handled by humans, it mimics the calls of other birds; imitations of at least 13 species have been recorded.

The other day I was trying to take a photograph of this bird when an elderly man stopped and asked me “what kind of bird is that”. I told him it was a fey i no pep la and he said: “a what”.

It made me smile! Of course, I had to say to myself – fey i no pep la before I told him!

 

Enjoy the outdoors, enjoy nature, enjoy birding, and enjoy learning how to pronounce new words!