Karen Parrow
LightNews LightNews
banner
kdparrow.bsky.social
Karen Parrow
@kdparrow.bsky.social
680 followers 840 following 650 posts
Bird nerd. Hobby photographer. Desert dweller. PNW native. Liberal AF.
Posts Replies Media Videos
kdparrow.bsky.social
Monsoon is being so brave and showing their beans 🫘
And all 3 of the storm drain crew are slow blinking back at me. 😍 #CatRescue #TheStormDrainCourt
A tuxedo kitten with a permanent milk mustache is laying on their side with one set of pink with black dots toe beans peeking out from a tail curled around a white paw. Their eyes are closing in a slow blink.
December 12, 2025 at 4:46 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
New coworkers are a hoot!

I got new coworkers too! They’ve been living the storm drain life in Phoenix. On day 2 of being INSIDE, we have a little loafing and churro eating. 😀. (They have a bed. I need to get some Velcro to keep them from knocking it on the floor.)
3 kittens huddled in an enclosure. Two are tuxedo cats. One with a white triangle on their face (Storm) and the other with an adorable white mustache (Monsoon). The third (Nimbus) is perched on top of the others. Nimbus is white with a dark eye mask and nose. Both Nimbus and Monsoon are facing the camera. Storm is looking away slightly.
December 11, 2025 at 11:42 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Look at the difference one day makes! And Stormy ate churro off a spatula! Big steps today. (They have a bed…they just keep knocking it down.)
Three kittens huddled with calm expressions and no airplane ears. Two are looking at the camera. One is glancing away.
December 11, 2025 at 11:31 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
These three gremlins have been hanging out in my entryway. Finally got them inside and am beginning the socialization process. Meet Nimbus, Monsoon, and Stormy. Together they form the Storm
Drain Court. They’d love a follow here: www.instagram.com/thestormdrai...
3 ten-ish week old kittens are huddled on a blanket. Nimbus is white with a dark mask and tail. Like a cloud that might just bring a little rain. Storm is black with a white nose. Just barely visible in the kitten puddle is the eye and ear of Monsoon. A black kitten with a permanent milk mustache.
December 11, 2025 at 8:09 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Great egret activating statue mode at #BolsaChicaWetlands, California. 🪶
A white heron is perched on an outcropping of plants in a marsh. It’s holding very still and staring into the water with its neck pulled in ready to strike.
October 26, 2025 at 4:16 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Snowy Egret watching for the right moment to snag some lunch. #BolsaChicaWetlands, California 🪶
A small white egret is perched on a walkway railing. Its feathers are ruffled giving it a lacy, delicate look.
October 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Ridgway’s Rail slashing about in the morning sun at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, California. 🪶
The rail is shaking off the water from its bath by twisting its head quickly so that the water spray looks like a frilly collar.
October 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
A reddish egret on the hunt for breakfast. Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve, California. 🪶
The egret has its wings up like an umbrella in order to shade the water. Its reflection is nearly a mirror image in the still water.
October 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Another gorgeous day in Arizona. I’m glad I’m able to escape the world for a bit. #Arizona
A small pine tree clings to the edge of the Mogollon Rim against a backdrop of brilliant blue sky. Wilderness extends as far as the eye can see.
September 13, 2025 at 10:57 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
I love these birds. We don’t see them at our feeder in the desert so it’s a treat to see them up here on the Mogollon Rim. I call ‘em Punk Rock Shouty Birds. 🪶 #ArizonaBirding
A Stellar’s Jay (blue body with a black/gray head) is perched in profile on a moss covered branch. It has a black crest and vibrant white eyebrows
September 12, 2025 at 5:48 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Gorgeous hike today. It was needed. The dappled sunlight on the lake- the scent of the pines-the wind rustling the trees…I feel grounded again.
The narrow lake is bordered by pines as it extends out of view. Wind is disturbing its surface. The sky is a vibrant blue, but is partially obscured by large fluffy white and gray clouds.
September 12, 2025 at 12:28 AM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Timeline cleanse. Here’s a Western Bluebird that was at the trailhead before I had my camera settings ready. 😜. But I got more than just just the feet this time. 🙂 🪶 #ArizonaBirding
A male bluebird taking flight from a branch. Its wings are spread and a bit blurry. Gorgeous blue head and rusty belly are featured.
September 11, 2025 at 12:33 AM
kdparrow.bsky.social
I hope everyone can find some inner peace and rest up to fight again.
#GrandCanyonNP
A tree is silhouetted against the setting sun on the rim of the canyon.
June 15, 2025 at 3:25 AM
kdparrow.bsky.social
This is California Condor 1319. Hatched in the wild on 5/1/2024. It is the only offspring so far of Father 885 and Mother 967. I could not zoom out fast enough as it took flight. My goodness does it have wings that go on forever. Nearly 10’ 🪶 #ArizonaBirding #CaliforniaCondor
A very large black bird leaps into flight from a rocky cliff. Its white armpits are just visible.
June 14, 2025 at 6:15 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Success!
A very large bird with a bald, brown head standing on the ground. Its prominent beak is in profile.
June 14, 2025 at 2:30 AM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Omgomgomg!!! We found a California Condor. Meet Star. Hatched 5/1/24. Father 885. Mother: 967
A very large bird with a brown nearly bare head standing on the ground. Its head is turned so you can see its massive beak. One wing has a radio transmitter. The other has a tag with a star on it that is visible in the next picture. The same bird in profile starting to spread its wings. Its white armpit is just visible.
June 14, 2025 at 1:48 AM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Will leaving binocs and cameras behind increase the odds of seeing a California Condor? I got this crappy shot of a turkey vulture with my short lens yesterday that had me excited for a bit. Maybe I leave everything behind. 🪶 #ArizonaBirding
A raptor soaring away from the viewer in the Grand Canyon. Just enough features are visible to identify it as a turkey vulture.
June 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Our quest to see a California Condor has reached the three day mark with zero success. But we did see this cute Juniper Titmouse. 🪶
#GrandCanyon #ArizonaBirding
A small gray bird with a tuft on its head is taking flight from a barren branch with a crystal clear blue sky in the background
June 13, 2025 at 2:18 AM
kdparrow.bsky.social
East end of the Grand Canyon. #Arizona
The canyon looks less deep here with the Colorado River clearly seen meandering through it. Tans, browns, and reds make up the landscape.
June 11, 2025 at 3:01 AM
kdparrow.bsky.social
It’s a girl!

#Loofah #ArizonaGardening
A phallic looking flower bud in front of a large leaf is featured. A small cluster of male flowers is also visible along with tendrils twining around a metal trellis.
June 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Female Wilson’s Phalarope caught doing a bit of preening for #FemaleBirdDay. Females are more vibrant than males and engage in polyandry; males stay with the nest to incubate the eggs. Rock on, Sisters! 🪶 #ArizonaBirding
She is swimming on a blue pond and although her body is in profile her head is turned toward face the observer. Two feathers are dramatically out of place and curl up to almost touch her head. She’s giving off a strong “I’m too sexy for this pond” vibe.
May 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
A little Burrowing Owl for your Friday. 🪶 #ArizonaBirding
A small owl stands on a rocky mound in front of a blurry green background. One eye is visible as it gazes off to the viewer’s right.
May 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
Let’s stick with the “I struggle to identify this bird” theme. Here’s a pretty little flycatcher. 🪶 Sierra Vista, Arizona 4/21/25 #ArizonaBirding
A small bird in profile sitting on a small leafless branch. It has a pale yellow wash on its belly, but is otherwise mostly gray. Two white wing bars are visible.
May 22, 2025 at 5:34 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
I think it’s an immature female Rufous. R2 is tipped in white & somewhat pinched. R3-5 have lots of rufous with less on R1,2. The gorget is less filled in than an adult. Maybe a broad-tailed?The outer primary looks too pointy for a rufous. Both were in the area. Allen’s was not as far as I know.
Head on view showing a somewhat uniform spangling on the gorget and pointy wing tips.
May 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
kdparrow.bsky.social
The more I try to identify immature and female hummingbirds, the more I realize I know nothing so here’s a pretty hummingbird from the Sierra Vista region of Arizona. 🪶 #ArizonaBirding
The hummingbird is in flight with its tail spread. It’s vertical with wings spread and back. There’s a slight orange wash on its sides. Some chin speckling. The tail feathers are rufous, green, and black with the outer 4 tipped in white.
May 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM