by Maya Rappaport February 26, 2021 In February, hints of spring begin to arrive in Arizona, bringing faint indications of the start of spring migration. As the weather warms and the air fills once again with birdsong, our excitement for the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival continues to grow! This year’s festival theme is […]
by Maya Rappaport November 24, 2020 The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a familiar bird of woodlands and open meadows in North America. For those of us who love the mixed composition woodlands that dot the mid- to high-elevation regions of AZ, the sounds of a group of turkeys in the distance brings imagery of […]
Join Friends this weekend for Global Birding Weekend and an eBird Big Day!
by Maya Rappaport Happy September! I love this month. The air smells crisper, and birds in migration begin to pass through our yards and favorite outdoor places. This month, I want to highlight a migratory species, the Lazuli Bunting. The Lazuli Bunting is named for the male’s gorgeous lazuli blue coloring. He shines brilliantly in […]
Great Blue Heron – Ardea herodias As Friends’ resident bird nerd, I’m thrilled to begin this new series: Bird of the Month! Here in the Verde Valley, we are blessed with beautiful habitats, a rich diversity of species, and an abundance of life. My hope is to celebrate some of the species that make the […]
