A Streak-backed Oriole (SBO) has been seen recently at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch (RPWR) in Gilbert, so I decided to try my luck at photographing it. I arrived at RPWR at about 7 a.m., and left at around 10 a.m. The SBO is a rare visitor to Arizona from Mexico. A male was at RPWR in 2006, and created quite a stir. It was said to be the most photographed bird of 2006! This year, a female is visiting. I saw it close up, and got a definite identification, but not a decent photograph. It never came out for an unobstructed view. Then it flew to a high dormant tree, but it was still behind branches. I included a terrible photo of it – it’s the best I got! It flew away from that tree, and I couldn’t find it again.
While I was there, I got some photos of a few of the regulars. I don’t normally see the Ash-throated Flycatcher there, so that was nice to see. Verdins are common, but usually difficult to photograph. This time I heard one right next to me, and saw a pair making a nest, so I was able to get some close up shots. I always look for Gila Woodpeckers in the Saguaro Garden. The Gilas are very common in Arizona, but I like the shots of them on the large saguaro cactus. There was a pair building a nest in a cavity in the saguaro.
