NOTE: To read more about one of the birds presented and to see an alternative picture, click the link associated with the name of the bird in the article below.
During our hiking visit to the Las Cruces, NM area, I was able to focus my attention on bird photography as well; forgive the pun.
One bird that was a new sighting for me was a Scaled Quail.
I thought the pattern on the feathers was quite interesting.
Hiking along a canyon wash, I spotted a bird atop a wall.
It had a somewhat familiar look because, as I later found out, it is a relative of the Cactus Wren. It was a Rock Wren.
The smallish bird below sitting on a branch is a Western Wood-Pewee.
As a gust of wind came along I caught a shot of a Peewee from the other side.
We also encountered a… Black-throated Sparrow
and a Chipping Sparrow as we made our way up and down the mountain trails.
At the nearby Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park we spotted additional birds
This Swainson’s Hawk was very high in the sky, but I did the best I could. The unique color pattern of the underside is a sure give away.
Several Barn Swallows were dodging in and out from under one of the roofs and the light was very dim, but this appeared to be a parent with some food for a nestling.
A Northern Mockingbird did not seem to mind as we moved in to get a closer look.
At a rest stop on the way home from Las Cruces this fellow was hopping from trash bin to trash bin looking for some goodies.
