Hermit Thrush: Ramsey Canyon, AZ

This Hermit Thrush popped out into full view, Ramsey Canyon, Sierra Vista, AZ; 12/19/2011.

The only thrush that will call Southeast Arizona home year round is the Hermit Thrush (Above).  These Thrushes are one of many that will migrate through my neck of the woods in Northern Illinois; however, down in Southeastern Arizona, residents here might only see two thrushes (Swainson's and Hermit), but the Swainson will migrate through, while the Hermit will spend its winters in the lower 1/3 of the U.S., and spend its summers throughout Canada, the Great lakes regions, and the Northeast and Northwest states. However they will also spend their summers in the cooler higher altitudes of the mountains. There is a small pocket here in southeast AZ and southwest New Mexico where they can be found year round.

This Hermit Thrush tries to stay hidden in the brush,  Ramsey Canyon, Sierra Vista, AZ; 12/19/2011.

I was following this thrush for a good ten minutes as it was scurrying to stay hidden in the brush (Above). Suddenly without warning it just popped out and sat on the corner of a small bench for good minute and let me take photos (Top of page and Below).

The same Hermit Thrush, as it let me carefully move around to a different angle for a photo op, Ramsey Canyon, Sierra Vista, AZ; 12/19/2011.