Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Damsel

Desert Moonrise

Desert Moonrise

We took an after-dinner walk down the road this afternoon as we usually do when we finish eating. I noticed the moon rising over the desert mountains in the distance and our local hills in the foreground. Having left the camera in the house, we finished walking the dogs and went back down the road for me to get this nice shot of the moonrise.

Later in the evening when we walked the dogs just before total darkness outside, the waxing gibbous moon was so bright, we could see our moonshadows on the driveway. Click on the image to enlarge.

22 Nov 2015 by Arizona Environment Photography

Dark Backed Goldfinch

Goldfinch

I was in the courtyard today with my camera intending to take some photos of Bob planting a couple of new xeriscape acquisitions when I noticed this little goldfinch taking seeds from the front feeder. He was not startled by my appearance in the courtyard and just stayed perched on the feeder taking the Nyjer seeds. I approached him and got several shots like the one above before he finally took off.

I looked up goldfinch on Wikipedia and found that there are several varieties of them. The ones that come around here are called the Dark Backed “Lesser” Goldfinch. They are a very small songbird according to the Wikipedia Article:

The lesser goldfinch or dark-backed goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) is a very small songbird of the Americas. Together with its relatives the American goldfinch and Lawrence’s goldfinch, it forms the American goldfinches clade in the genus Spinus sensu stricto.

The American goldfinches can be distinguished by the males having a black (rarely green) forehead, whereas the latter is (like the rest of the face) red or yellow in the European goldfinch and its relatives. North American males are markedly polymorphic and 5 subspecies are often named; at least 2 of them seem to represent a less-progressed stage in evolution however.

16 Nov 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Fall Weather

Fall Weather

The second spring seems to have come to an end since the lows are now in the mid-forties and the highs rarely get above 70. Fall is upon us, I’m afraid.

The porch thermometer was at 48° after nine this morning when we took the dogs for their first morning walk. With the little breeze blowing, it felt more like 38°.

The forecast is for warmer on the weekend when we will be attending our annual Bluegrass Days festival up at the rodeo grounds. More on that later. Meanwhile, enjoy the image of a nice cool afternoon in our corner of the desert. Click on the image to enlarge.

11 Nov 2015 by Arizona Environment Home & Garden

A Desert Rainbow

A Desert Rainbow

The end of the showers associated with the cold front that passed through here last evening produced this nice desert rainbow seen above our little cottage and the big saguaro as the sun began to set. Today, the cold air mass left in the wake of the front held our high temperature to about 61 degrees. A far cry from what it was a scant 30 days ago with daytime temperatures over 90 degrees. Oh, well, we just put on the long pants and sweaters and we’re OK. Click on the image to enlarge.

05 Nov 2015 by Arizona Environment Photography

Ancient Native American Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs

These petroglyphs are clearly visible from US Highway 60 as we travel through a little mountain pass between Hope, AZ and Harcuvar, AZ. I captured this image as we drove through the pass just before the curve where you exit the pass and go into Harcuvar, just to the east of the etched rocks.

The symbology on these rocks is similar to other native petroglyphs readily available to be seen throughout the southwest US. Although we did not stop this time, I can tell you from previous visits to this place that the inscriptions are well-preserved and, fortunately, not tagged or disrupted by modern day idiots would-be petroglyphographers. Click on the image to enlarge.

30 Oct 2015 by Arizona Culture Photography Wanderlust

Outback Mail Boxes

Outback Mail Boxes

We pass a lot of mail box clusters when traveling along US 60 in the Arizona “outback,” between Wickenburg and Interstate 10 near Brenda, AZ. This particular cluster is near Hope, AZ. There is nothing particularly interesting about mail boxes except this cluster has one mail box that is eight feet off of the ground. What’s up with that?

I took this photo today on our way to Palm Desert, CA. We are amused by the maverick mail box and as we have passed this spot dozens of times in our travels between home and California. We wonder if there is a big rig RV or truck that uses that box or if it is simply a joke. It is just plain weird and funny at the same time.

28 Oct 2015 by Arizona Humor Photography Wanderlust

A Beautiful Yellow Rosebud

A Beautiful Yellow Rosebud

Today was a busy day for us. Actually, the whole week has been an entire disruption to our peaceful little retirement routine. Monday, I went to the dentist for my regular cleaning and check-up and the exam showed I had a broken molar that should be crowned. Wasting no time, I went back in on Tuesday to get that work done. Wednesday, we took a trip down to the northwest Phoenix metro area to do some shopping and what not. All the while under stormy skies. I think this might be a record-setting October for rainfall in recent years.

Back to today – we went grocery shopping for our coming weekend meal preparation (the whole week, actually) and afterward, we both had appointments with the dermatologist. The “derm” eradicated several skin lesions on each of us with oversized Q-tips dipped in liquid nitrogen. He did not find anything that could be considered a health risk like skin cancer, but he did say to come back every six months or so for a check-up. Too many years in the desert sun without sunscreen (not available in our youth) takes its toll.

The stormy weather cleared up today and we got considerable sunshine as we went about our business. The yellow roses in the flower concession were beautiful and I now have a dozen in the vase on the sofa table. Click on the image to enlarge.

22 Oct 2015 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

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