Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), at the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona.

Since I moved to Arizona, the bird I most wanted to see was a pyrrhuloxia. I knew my chances were best closer to the border with Mexico, but I was encouraged when I learned that they were occasional visitors to Maricopa County. Pyrrhuloxias are like overgrown cardinals, a bit more stocky, like a cardinal that has been going to the gym every day. And their yellow beaks are blunt and stubby. When I was out in woody habitat I would see a flash of red in the trees, get excited for a pyrrhuloxia sighting, then be disappointed at finding a northern cardinal instead, which is foolish indeed. You should never be disappointed at seeing a cardinal.

Then yesterday I was at the botanical garden, enjoying a cup of coffee at the patio cafe, and this fine fellow flew overhead and perched on a palo verde over my table. 

There is a kind of elation, a lifting of care and worry that I sometimes feel when I see an unexpected bird, especially one that is new to me. This one made me almost giddy. 

Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), at the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona.

Since I moved to Arizona, the bird I most wanted to see was a pyrrhuloxia. I knew my chances were best closer to the border with Mexico, but I was encouraged when I learned that they were occasional visitors to Maricopa County. Pyrrhuloxias are like overgrown cardinals, a bit more stocky, like a cardinal that has been going to the gym every day. And their yellow beaks are blunt and stubby. When I was out in woody habitat I would see a flash of red in the trees, get excited for a pyrrhuloxia sighting, then be disappointed at finding a northern cardinal instead, which is foolish indeed. You should never be disappointed at seeing a cardinal.

Then yesterday I was at the botanical garden, enjoying a cup of coffee at the patio cafe, and this fine fellow flew overhead and perched on a palo verde over my table. 

There is a kind of elation, a lifting of care and worry that I sometimes feel when I see an unexpected bird, especially one that is new to me. This one made me almost giddy.