Month: October 2026

José Maria

Welcome to another edition of “Hey, that’s a new bird!” If you haven’t noticed, the theme for this month is “lifers” and hoping you have been enjoying our new finds in the field – here and abroad! Before we get into today’s featured feathered friend, some quick housekeeping. It has been quite the busy month with the race and trying to get all the props back in storage from the big Halloween event. Unboxing the props is fun and exciting, trying to stuff them back into that box and getting them packed away on the shelving in the most dense manner possible – nuns running their nails down a chalkboard (the trauma runs deep people ha). In the midst of that torture, I did manage to get my recap of the race posted up on the mothership – link here, but words of caution, these recaps are not glamour shots, rather info I can look back on and prepare myself better for the next race – might avoid if you are thinking about getting into the sport, but if you want to confirm your choice to avoid…have at it!

How about we turn our attention to this month’s Halloween mascot..Mr. (or Ms.) Orange-Bill.

Greater Pewee found at Madera Canyon, AZ in March 2025

I’d say this lifer is a “Great” choice for today’s featured feathered friend. Hit the jump to read more about this southern Arizona specialty.

Continue reading José Maria

Beach Thick-Knee…by Brad Marks

Both the Haunted Trail and the triumphant return to the ultra-racing circuit events are past, all that is left is to pick up the pieces so to speak. All those things I delayed until after the race in order to be as healthy as possible before the race have been patiently waiting to get done. Currently knee deep in Halloween props trying to get them back into storage – this will take a week or more to debattery, break down and then pack as densely as possible back into the storage shelves. While I put my grade school spatial relationship skills to the test, Brad is going to take you back Down Under for another great find (by Jan) on the Green Island. Note, this keeps our string of “new” birds for October!

Take it away Brad… (note, Brad is a bit under the weather from recent travels so comment responses may be delayed until he is back above his “knees”.

Jan did it again.  She was taking photos of birds when I was nowhere to be seen.  In full disclosure, she braved a boat ride on a rough Coral Sea to see the Great Barrier Reef.  I wasn’t even present when any of these photos were taken this time.  Let me explain.

As you may recall from another story (“Not a Little Blue” link here), Jan and I had gone different directions while on assignment in Cairns, (pronounced “cans”) Australia.  Seeing the Great Barrier Reef was one of my life goals.  However, the marine forecast called for 2-meter (6 foot) waves and I don’t do waves in small boats.  I stayed in Cairns while Jan went to see the Great Barrier Reef.  You probably know by now, Jan has no fear of anything.  And we have the X-rays to prove it.

When she was back on solid ground on Green Island, Jan followed a photo strategy that has worked for us for a very long time:  avoid the crowds.  Instead of heading for the tourist shopping destinations, or the beach changing rooms, she took her camera for a walk around the island.

As usual, I’m making up most of this story since I wasn’t even there for any of it.  I’m recounting what Jan told me she did and what she saw on Green Island.

Beach Thick-Knee found by Jan Marks in Cairns

Hmmm, a little early for birds to be in their Halloween costumes, hit the jump to learn more about this masked beachcomber.

Continue reading Beach Thick-Knee…by Brad Marks

Hamming it Up

I have to say, it has been a quite a weekend of activity here at Intrigued starting last Friday when we made our way to the race course. Although only 45 minutes away, staying overnight at the trail site takes a lot of stress off the race prep, not to mention the fact the launch was at 5am…or as Linda puts it 5 “Hell NO”am. I still need to get the race recap up on the mothership, but I can let the cat out of bag – I successfully added my 5th buckle from this 50 mile race to my collection. That means another 50 to make 250 for America’s 250. A few things went right, a lot of things didn’t during each of the 5 ten mile loops. Ultra racing is problem solving at the core and I had plenty of chances to demonstrate that over the full day (and night) effort. Prime directive was to get through without re-injuring the ankle or elbow and no new “major” damage to anything else. Glad to report that was accomplished although there is some rib damage that is taking longer than expected to get past. Again, more details once the recap is officially posted. The next day Linda guilte…err, encouraged me to go on a local craft/antique tour (Spoon River Drive) which helped get a lot of the built up acid drained and then made a trip down to St. Louis to get some work done on our RV. Time now to sit back, rest a little and then dig into all the Haunted trail props that need to be packed away. Oh, almost forgot some great news, our Haunted Trail recap video I added to my last post was picked up by the YouTube algorithm – getting thousands of views a day and growing steadily yay! (link here). Enough about me…let’s get to today’s Featured Feathered Friend shall we…

Hammond's Flycatcher found in Madera Canyon, AZ in March 2025

Now if you are like me when I saw this Flycatcher in the queue you probably groaned..well, if you are birder as you know that likely means potential hours nose deep in the reference books. Normally, I would ask you to take a guess as to the species…but that would be impossible from this first shot. Hit the jump and I’ll show you how to properly ID this Empidonax.

Continue reading Hamming it Up

Ah Kah a Qual

The time has come to once again test my training, fortitude and based on my wife’s assessment – my sanity. Two years ago nearly to the day a rock lurking under some devious leaves caused 16 hours of rather excruciating pain giving way to 2 solid years filled with various medical procedures, recovery, therapy and training to get back to this spot, my return to the ultra racing circuit. Not sure what to expect really beyond the overwhelming feeling this is where I belong success or failure. My planned pacer bailed on me yesterday, so I will have plenty time in my head to figure myself out. The good news is Linda will be with me at the loop starts to keep me in the best condition possible. I have been working her day and night on the key verbal communications “Linda, now repeat after me if I whine about being tired or sore you reply: ‘You lily-livered POS, get your damn ass back out on the course, get it done and stop acting like a baby‘”. She still needs some work getting the right tone, but she should be good to go by race time! If you don’t hear for me in a while, assume the worst ha. As a way to calm the nerves, thought I’d work on a post, one about outing that felt as equally tough as this upcoming race. Please give it up for the latest featured feathered friend making its debut here at Intrigued. (including a special haunting surprise at the end!)

Black-Throated Gray found at Florida Canyon, Arizona in March 2025

Any guesses? Probably beyond obvious, but as a hint it is a member of the Warbler family. Hit the jump to learn more about this rather monochrome looking specimen.

Continue reading Ah Kah a Qual

Number 30

I am currently in the sweet spot so to speak. The mental and physical stress of the annual Haunted Trail event has passed for the most part along with yesterday’s final taper run before the ultra race, means a good rest is at hand. The full fretting on the upcoming race hasn’t set in yet giving me a rare moment of calm my body badly needs. Taking it really easy for the next few days in hopes of getting some of the tweaks, twinges and dings to subside to put me in the best condition to battle the trail – the trail adage holds, you just need to get to a point where the entire body hurts as much as the individual angry parts and then you can transition to the mental part of the task. I’ve never forgotten the wisdom a good friend passed on to me many a year ago – “Equilibrium is the secret to success – if you injure your hand, just smack the other with a hammer and carry on”. That may say more about me and the friends I keep than their “wisdom” ha. The good news is there is time to get a post (and maybe more than one) out during this rare moment of relative stillness. To kick that off, here is today’s featured feathered friend.

Ash-Throated Flycatcher found at Patagonia State Park, Patagonia,AZ in March 2025

Any guesses on an ID before you hit the jump – hint, this is the first time this species has been featured here at Intrigued.

Continue reading Number 30