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The bird populations in an area are usually in a constant state of flux, especially in a migration corridor like the Rio Grande River. Corrales is also a riparian zone where birds come for water, and a literal change of scenery. The seasons and local and national weather also change the conditions enough that it is mind boggling trying to keep up with rare and common bird travel patterns. This is my personal belief why most birders are so crazy.

Usually, the hummingbird feeders that encourage the bee-like critters also make sure there are few other birds around. Hummingbirds are notoriously territorial to almost any other bird species, especially the raptors and other big birds. For some odd reason, this Coopers hawk not only came down to the eye level, but also held still long enough for my wife to snap a few profiles.

    This guy is usually a bird hunting specialist, and was almost certain hunting. Weirdly, there were no hummingbirds around to drive him off.

Here are two common flowers right now. The one on the Left is a bindweed, a climbing plant that only flowers in the evening, to attract moths. The one on the right is Yerba Mansa. It is also called the chocolate flower because of it's smell. It is a diuretic medication that apparently can help with gout and Kidney stones, but most medicinal plants seem to have that ability.