We had occasion to do some shopping today and while we were in the supermarket, I noticed they had lots of pretty roses including this salmon-colored variety called “Movie Star.” I got a dozen of them and put them in a vase with some baby’s breath on the sofa table. They have a light, rosy fragrance and should last the three days before our regular shopping day on Thursday. Click on the image to enlarge.
Last night, one of the dogs discovered a kingsnake under on of my planters outside of the patio. I pulled him away from it and walked elsewhere while he did his business. Tomorrow would be soon enough to check out if it was dead or had slithered away.
When we went out this morning to inspect the snake, it was still there – dead. Bob took a pair of garden tongs I use for handling cacti and tossed the snake up into the west part of the lot. Something will dispose of it, we supposed.
We supposed correctly. A bit later in the afternoon, a pair of Turkey Buzzards were flying low over the area while another landed over in the area where the snake carcass had been tossed.
We did not actually see the buzzards removing the snake, but an inspection of the area where it got tossed showed no sign of snake remains. Desert nature at work. Click on the images to enlarge.
I saw this lizard clinging to the patio screen outside today. I walked out to get a photo of the little red-headed guy. We later tried to look up on the Arizona Lizard website, but couldn’t find a match. It looks like the spiny lizards we see around here once in a while, but this is the first time we have seen a red-faced spiny lizard. Click on the image to enlarge.
Update: Hat tip to Glenn B who points out in comments that this is likely a female spiny lizard whose head has turned red for breeding season.
We stopped at the last rest stop in Arizona before crossing into California on our way out to the old homestead today. We have to stop in order to (as Bob says) “Californicate” our carry weapons. You know, unload and lock the guns away where they are of no use to us for self defense purposes. But, enough about the unconstitutional state of Kalifornistan.
At the rest stop, a family of quail, a mama and papa and their brood of seven chicks were browsing the area just as we were leaving the rest stop. I took several images of these cute little birds as they made their way to wherever they were headed. Click on the image to enlarge.
We hope everyone is having a nice Memorial Day. We are having a nice day and are thankful to those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedom. I took this photo of one of the multicolored roses we bought at the floral shop in the supermarket and dedicate it to those we remember on this day. Click on the image to enlarge.
A little over a week ago, I posted a picture of flower pods on one of my Pride of Barbados (a.k.a Red Bird of Paradise) shrubs in the courtyard in front of the house. Yesterday and today, the bottom pods opened up to reveal my favorite Arizona flowers.
This is the third year since we planted the one-gallon shrubs and this year is the earliest we have seen flowers open on them. Some other Red Birds around town were opening already, so I assume as the shrubs mature, they will open earlier in the spring. We shall see next year. Click on the image to enlarge.
I took photos yesterday of some flowers on display outside the little department store on the west side. The one depicted above is a drought-tolerant variety of daisy called “Arizona Sun” (Asteraceae Gaillardia). According to several on-line sources, this flower attracts butterflies and after the flower petals fall off, they attract goldfinches.
Dave’s Garden has this additional information about this colorful flower:
Sun Exposure:
Full SunBloom Color:
Red
Red-Orange
Bright YellowBloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Blooms repeatedlyFoliage:
HerbaceousOther details:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Click on the image to enlarge.