Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Arizona

Starlink Surprise

I was alerted a couple of days ago by my Starlink App that a “Mesh Node” was trying to connect to the Router. I Had no idea why a mesh node might be trying to connect, so I asked Grok to explain it to me:

A new Starlink mesh node (or extra router used as one) will try to join your network automatically once you power it on. The Starlink app usually shows a “PAIR NEW MESH NODE” (or similar “New Mesh Node(s)”) notification within about 1–2 minutes if everything is working.

Grok then told me how to set up my new mesh node. Problem is that I don’t have a mesh node or anything else like that. Could it be that a neighbor has one?

Yes, it could be a neighbor’s mesh node.

Starlink mesh nodes broadcast a pairing request when they power up (or after a reset). Your app can detect a nearby unpaired node and show the “PAIR NEW MESH NODE” (or “New Mesh Node”) notification even if the hardware isn’t yours. The official Starlink Mesh Installation Guide includes this exact wording on the prompt:

“A new node is attempting to pair with your network. Please reject this request if you don’t own Starlink mesh nodes.”

What to do:

  • Deny / Block / Reject the request in the app. Do not pair it.
  • Check the Network > Nodes section afterward. You should be able to see previously blocked nodes if you need to manage them later.
  • The node will not join your network or use your bandwidth unless you explicitly approve the pairing.

I did as the AI instructed and blocked the node request.

Later, when I took Tucker out for a walk, I noticed someone finishing up installation of a Starlink Antenna on the house about 60 yards to the northwest of here (see the marked clickable image above for the circled locations of the neighbor’s antenna and our antenna).

Grok further instructed me that if I had the mystery node blocked, that I could just ignore it henceforth.

I looked into mesh nodes for possible use as a range extender for our use, but with our current setup, the range limitations for a barefoot Starlink Mini are sufficiently adequate for our needs, both at home and on the road.

22 Aug 2026 by Arizona Cyberspace Notions Technobabble 0

Desert Leaf Cutter Ants

For several years running – basically, since we had the landscaper plant the big ocotillo out front – we have seen what appear to be ant trails where leaves or flowers from the ocotillo and other sources running across the driveway (see left panel in the clickable composite image above). We knew that these trails were left by nocturnal ants since we were out one night to watch the ISS flyover and saw the ants actively going back and forth along the trail. The destination is their anthill located about fifteen feet beyond the pavement which is shown in the right panel above.

I showed the photos to Grok and asked about the ants:

These are desert leafcutter ants (Acromyrmex versicolor), the common fungus-farming species in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

In summer (especially the hottest months like August), their foraging is almost entirely nocturnal because daytime surface temperatures are too extreme. They form clear trails while carrying plant material back to the nest, exactly as in your driveway photo, and often deposit piles of leaf fragments around the entrance crater.

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is one of the plants they regularly harvest. Studies of Arizona colonies show they collect both fresh young leaves and dry vegetation from ocotillo along with other desert perennials such as paloverde, mesquite, ironwood, creosote, and catclaw acacia. Fresh leaves make up a notable portion of the forage when available (especially after rains when ocotillos leaf out).

They do not eat the leaves. Workers cut and carry pieces underground to cultivate a specialized symbiotic fungus in garden chambers; the ants and their larvae feed on the fungus. Colonies can be sizable, with crater-like nest entrances (often multiple) in sandy or gravelly soil, and they clear or accumulate plant debris around the openings.

A related but less widespread species, Atta mexicana (Mexican leafcutter), also occurs in southern Arizona and shows similar nocturnal summer foraging and leaf-carrying, but Acromyrmex versicolor is the typical one across much of the Sonoran Desert, including areas like Wickenburg. Both are native and generally harmless to people (they can bite if handled but do not sting like harvester ants).

The trail of fresh green leaves leading ~15 feet to the entrance, plus the accumulation right at the hole, is classic behavior for these ants during a summer night’s work. They will likely continue as long as temperatures stay high and suitable plant material is available.

That is some interesting information about the ants. We don’t consider them a nuisance and expect to just leave them to do their thing. They are part of God’s wonderful desert nature at work in our own front yard.

16 Aug 2026 by Arizona Critters Environment 2

Venus and Moonset

When Bob took Tucker out for his late walk this evening, we saw this asterism looking west; the five percent illuminated waxing crescent moon was just about to set in the west with the evening “star,” Venus, above and to the south. With the cloud texture and otherwise clear sky, it was a beautiful sight. Click on the image to enlarge.

14 Aug 2026 by Arizona Astronomy Photography 0

New AZ CWP Issued

Both Damsel and I submitted (on line) renewal applications for our Arizona Concealed Weapons Permits last month. The new permits arrived today and we are impressed with the new format showing a desert motif picturing mountains, a cactus and a roadrunner. Very nice. (Vital Statistics graphically Removed for Privacy.)

Not visible in the (clickable) photocopy above, are the watermarks that appear under certain light conditions which reveal a large number of concentric circles and a logo of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. All in all, we both are happy with the new format.

Since Arizona is actually a “Constitutional Carry” State, we don’t need to have a concealed permit at all. However, due to an unnecessary and UNCONSTITUTIONAL law in the US CODE, unless you have a CWP permit issued in the state where you are carrying, you are prohibited from coming within 1000 feet of any school:

18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2)(A) Makes it unlawful for any individual to knowingly possess a firearm that has moved in or affects interstate commerce at a place the person knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone

. The exception that we are interested in is:

State-Licensed Permit Holders: Carried by an individual holding a valid concealed carry permit issued by the state in which the school zone is located, provided state law required background/qualification verification. (Note: Reciprocal out-of-state permits generally do not qualify for this federal exemption).

Because of the exception noted above, we have to be very careful of where we go in the RV since we don’t have carry permits for other than Arizona and Utah. Of course, the law is Bullshit in the first place and needs to be struck down.

Unfortunately, and due to election fraud, we believe that our two Senators, both Democrats, are in office. It falls on deaf ears when we suggest to them that some of these rules need to be struck down.

Pray for righteous leaders to rise and prevail in the elections ahead of us. We are. Thank you for your attention in this matter.

04 Aug 2026 by Arizona CCW Firearms Second Amendment 0

Goldfinch Feeder

Finches at the feeder

This is one of our two Nyjer Seed Finch Feeders in the back yard. They are mounted on a crook which is staked into the ground.

Note that the seed level is at about three-quarters full. I took this photo less than 24 hours since I filled the feeders to the top. Clearly, the Nyjer Seeds are very popular with the finches.

We get a couple of species of finch that visit the feeders: House Finches and Goldfinches.

I asked GROK about the birds in this photo:

These are Lesser Goldfinches (Spinus psaltria), a very common and delightful visitor to nyjer (thistle) feeders in Arizona.

Quick Breakdown of the Birds in Your Photo:

  • Bottom left (brightest one): Adult male Lesser Goldfinch. You can clearly see the diagnostic solid black cap, bright lemon-yellow underparts, and black wings with bold white wingbars/patches. This is the classic look for males in breeding plumage.
  • Bottom right: Likely a female or immature/juvenile. Females are duller overall (more olive-yellow) with less contrast, no full black cap, and subtler wing markings.
  • Top right (on the side): Another bird in a more olive/grayish-green plumage, typical of females or younger birds.
  • There’s also a partially visible bird behind the feeder on the left that appears to have streaked brown tones, possibly another finch or a different visitor.

Lesser Goldfinches are one of the most frequent nyjer-seed specialists in the Southwest. They’re small, acrobatic, and often come in small flocks. In the high Sonoran Desert around Wickenburg, they’re year-round residents and love these tube-style finch feeders.

Camera Info:

  • Camera: Canon EOS Rebel SL3
  • Artist: Cap’n Bob (C) 07/18/2026
  • Exposure: 1/320 sec.
  • Aperture: F5.6
  • Speed: ISO 200
  • Focal Length: 180mm
  • Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
18 Jul 2026 by Arizona Critters Photography

Saguaro Cactus Fruit

Saguaro Cactus Fruit – image (C) CapnBob

I took this photo of our Saguaro by the RV drive this morning. Grok had the following to say about it:

Saguaro cactus fruit (from Carnegiea gigantea, the iconic giant cactus of the Sonoran Desert) is a vibrant, nutrient-rich seasonal treat that plays a crucial ecological role in the arid Southwest, especially in areas like your Wickenburg garden.

Your attached photo perfectly captures the classic look: the green, oval-to-egg-shaped fruits (roughly plum-sized) grow high on the arms of the saguaro. As they ripen in late May through July (peaking around June–early July in Arizona), the outer skin splits open into 3–4 sections, revealing a striking bright red to magenta pulp packed with up to ~3,500 tiny black seeds. The pulp is juicy and sweet, while the seeds have a nutty flavor. This timing aligns with the hottest, driest part of the year, just before the summer monsoons, making the fruit a vital source of moisture and nutrition for desert wildlife.

Key Facts About the Fruit:

  • Edibility and Uses: Humans have harvested it for centuries (e.g., by the Tohono O’odham people, who call it bahidaj). It can be eaten raw, made into syrups, jams, cakes, or drinks. The seeds are high in protein and fats.
  • Production: A single mature saguaro can produce around 150 fruits in a good season, turning the plant into a “desert grocery store.”
  • Your Photo: The split-open fruit with vivid red interior is exactly how it appears when ripe and ready—very attractive to foragers!

Birds That Harvest It:

Birds are major consumers and help with seed dispersal (some seeds pass through undamaged or are dropped while feeding). Key species include:

  • White-winged Doves (Zenaida asiatica): These are the most prominent. They time their breeding so that chicks hatch when saguaro fruit ripens, providing critical food and water. They eat the pulp and seeds directly from the cactus (often seen perched on or leaning into the fruit). They also help pollinate the flowers earlier in the season.
  • Gila Woodpeckers: Frequently feed on the fruit.
  • Curve-billed Thrashers, Northern Mockingbirds, Verdins, House Finches, and others: These also feast on the sweet, juicy pulp and seeds.

Mammals like coyotes, ground squirrels, and javelina eat fallen fruit on the ground, while bats may visit too.

The relationship is mutualistic: birds get hydration and energy in the harsh desert summer, while the saguaro benefits from seed spread (sometimes to “nurse plants” under bushes or trees where dropped seeds can germinate safely).

If you’re seeing this in your garden or on local hikes, it’s a great sign of a healthy Sonoran Desert ecosystem—perfect timing for your bird photography interests!

Keep in mind that AI (in spite of the hype) can make mistakes, so take the above with a grain of salt, although I found the write up to be accurate according to our knowledge about the subjects.

Click on the image to enlarge.

12 Jul 2026 by Arizona Critters Environment Photography

R10 Panoramic Mode

Panoramic images have always been an interest of mine. Early on, I used to take a series of adjacent , overlapping images and would “stitch” them together using an old application that did the job. Now, the function has been integrated right into some cameras.

My Kodak PixPro FZ152 has a panoramic function, but it can be kind of picky in the stitching process, and frequently will overlap in the wrong places. Maybe that is due to the way I used it, but regardless, it seemed clumsy to me.

I took the panorama above with my Canon EOS R10 in its panoramic mode. It works much better; all I have to do is press the shutter button and hold while I smoothly pan from left to right (optionally the other way too) to get what my eye perceives as a smooth and seamless image. Click on the image and pan using the image viewer scroll bar at the bottom.

I took the image from our courtyard looking west; the image spans the west leg of the RV drive sweeping from the road across the west cactus and rock garden, mesquite and paloverde trees, the lemon tree to the back gate of the courtyard.

I will try and get some more interesting panoramas as the opportunities arise.

22 Jun 2026 by Arizona Home & Garden Notions Panorama Photography Technobabble

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