Back in PDX after a lovely few days with Onie in Tempe, home of Dad and Bonnie and Millie Dog. On Saturday Onie and I braved the particulate-laden air and wandered along the network of rocky trails at Pima Canyon. As I discovered the last time I explored this park, Pima Canyon–a singular refuge among subdivisions, strip malls, and golf courses*–is nice and birdy. Armed with the 55–200mm lens that Onie gave me for my birthday, I managed to get a handful of halfway decent pics.

* Speaking of golf courses, let it be known that in the case of my 71-year-old father, the hype is true: the old man has one hell of a swing. I watched him drive ball after ball into the desert horizon, aimed as true as any guided missile. It must be said, however, that Dad golfs for peace.


Loggerhead Shrike


House Finches


Verdin (with nest material?)


Verdin


Gilded Flicker


Gambel’s Quail


Anna’s Hummingbird


Cactus Wren (”our largest wren,” as Sibley likes to say)


Rock Wren (dutifully earning its name)


Black-Throated Sparrow


Mourning Dove


Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel