This intrepid guy was devouring a piece of something that was definitely not carrion. It looked like a piece of a glove or something after the bird flew off. We see turkey vultures a lot soaring over the area, but this is a rare time I saw one on the ground.
On our trip back from California yesterday, Damsel managed to get this good shot of the Native American Petroglyphs along US 60 between Hope, and Harcuvar, AZ. We have stopped at this location a few times, but this time she took the shot while we were going 55 MPH as we passed the rock pile upon which the ancient artifacts are etched. Click on the image to enlarge.
If you’re interested in seeing this first hand, point your GPS to approximately 33.748822 (N. lat), -113.671906 (E. long). As you can see from her photo, it’s right there.
We drove back to our Arizona home today. After getting off interstate 10, we are officially in the Arizona Outback. The Outback stretches along US Hwy 60 across La Paz and Maricopa Counties and has some of the most amazing and beautiful scenery seen anywhere. We always find something new each time we cross this magnificent desert. Click on the image to enlarge.
I had my annual eye checkup today. It was mostly the routine “Which is better – 1 or – 2?” At the end of the exam, the optometrist showed me some information about cataract surgery which, she says, ‘could’ be required at some point.
In the meantime, I still can enjoy corrected vision in the 20-20 or 20-25 range with eyeglasses, of course. I have a set of sunglasses from last year, that work just fine. I ordered a new set of single-vision clear glasses, mostly for watching TV and after dark junkets out with the dogs. I stopped driving at night after I retired.
The interesting thing about cataract surgery is that they can, with minimal invasive surgery, replace the natural crystalline lens affected by cloudiness with a new artificial lens that compensates for both nearsightedness and presbyopia. Of course, there are caveats like astigmatism and muscle range, but it sounds like someday we can get rid of contacts or corrective glasses altogether.
Sadly, I can’t seem to get this to grow in Arizona, although “they” say it is possible. On this trip to California, the timing was right to enjoy this beautiful cluster of flowers with a nice delicate fragrance. Click on the image to enlarge.
Crassula falcata, known by the common names airplane plant and propeller plant, is a succulent plant endemic to South Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope. The foliage is gray-green with striking texture, on plants that grow to 2 feet tall. The flowers are tiny and scarlet red, that rise in dense clusters above the foliage for a month in summer. Crassula falcata is cultivated for use in drought tolerant and succulent gardens, and in container gardens.
We crossed the Arizona Outback today on our way back to visit the California house. We are always fascinated with the odds and ends that comprise the Outback. This old building made of stone is near Salome, AZ. We reverently refer to it as “Salomehenge.” Click on the image to enlarge.
We finally got around to hanging the second birdhouse that our friend at the river, Ron, made for us. This one is closer to the color of our house and contrasts nicely in the palo verde tree where I hung it today. Click on the image to enlarge.