A Tale of Two Phoebes

This Say's Phoebe gave me an iconic Birding-in-Arizona moment as it paused in front of Tuzigoot National Monument, a hilltop village built by the Sinagua people between 1100-1400 A.D. The view below shows how the settlement, gradually expanded over a few centuries, flowed down the hillside.

This Black Phoebe, seen at Page Springs Hatchery about 15 miles away, was much more nimble and active by comparison.

Simply Golden

Rich autumnal hues were the order of the day: a yellow-eyed Bushtit straddling a double-trunked yellowing maple.

One of a pair of squabbling Flickers seeking amnesty in a berry-laden bush.

And a Black-Capped Chickadee gleaning insects amidst golden and salmon-tinged leaves.