Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Critters

Nest Building

Nest Building

I’m still messing with the new camera to continue exploring its various features. I needed to set the autofocus to a single, rather than multiple, focus points for use with the telephoto lens.

While I was out in the courtyard experimenting with the new setting, I saw a curve billed thrasher on the cholla in front of the house. Upon closer inspection through the viewfinder, I noticed that it held a twig in its beak. After I took this photo, the bird went deeper into the cactus where it and its mate are apparently building a nest. Click on the image to enlarge.

09 Jan 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

New Camera Candid Telephoto Shots

House Finch Hummingbird 
Antelope squirrel Cardinal in Mesquite Tree

I have been enjoying using the new camera a lot. The camera, as ordered, came bundled with a Canon 75-300mm EF telephoto lens. I’m still reading the aftermarket how-to book on the camera and accessories, but have had pretty good luck photographing some of the critters in our back yard.

I went out into the unimproved part of our lot and laid in waiting for some of the desert birds to come around to gather the goodies that Damsel and I put out to attract them. It was just a few minutes after I hung out the seed bell and block that a house finch (upper left) showed up to partake. There was also a cardinal (lower right) in the mesquite tree next to the feeders waiting for his opportunity. Earlier in the day when I took out the finch feeders, a little Antelope Ground Squirrel (lower left) showed up for a handout. As a bonus, a hummingbird (upper right) perched in the mesquite tree as I was headed back into the patio.

All of these (and more not shown) were taken in our back yard. Click on each individual panel above to see the full-sized photo.

03 Jan 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbird Feeder

I stood by the patio trying to keep myself concealed from some quail on the hill behind our house. I was going to try and capture some wild bird photos from this slight cover when a hummingbird approached Damsel’s feeder not three feet away and commenced to get some of the nectar.

With the new camera, it only took a matter of a second or two to reacquire the target at close range, deploy the flash and capture the shot seen above. I sure like the new camera. Click on the image to enlarge.

29 Dec 2014 by Arizona Critters Photography

Second Spring Butterfly

Second Spring Butterfly

Signs of Second Spring have persisted for several weeks. Today, there were dozens of butterflies browsing the flowers on the sage, red birds and Rosemary. The nice thing about using Rosemary for ground cover along the RV drive, is that butterflies of all sizes, colors and descriptions are attracted to the tiny blue flowers.

I captured this photo of a yellow and gold butterfly lighting on a Rosemary just under the top of the little hill out back. Click on the image to enlarge.

09 Oct 2014 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Visit to Point Vicente

Point Vicente Lighthouse

After doing chores and some business at the old house in Torrance, we decided to get some fast food and take the short drive over the Palos Verdes hill to Point Vicente and have a late lunch. There is a nice park there overlooking the Catalina Channel with picnic tables, shade and a place for us and the dogs to walk.

Image: Point Vicente Lighthouse as seen from the park

The park wasn’t crowded and we enjoyed our lunch while a gentle pacific breeze kept things cool on a nice end of summer day in Southern California. It was very relaxing until our little boy dog got out of his harness and we had to chase him down. He finally slowed down and stopped running long enough for me to pick him up and get him back in the harness.

10 Sep 2014 by California Critters Photography

Butterfly and the Red Bird of Paradise

ButterflyAmong the main reasons I wanted the Red Bird of Paradise shrubs in the courtyard was to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. I am not disappointed since both species frequently browse the flowers of not only the red birds, but the sage flowers as well, when they are present. With second spring coming, the sages should also have more flowers to attract the critters.

In addition to the hummers and butterflies, this year we began noticing Sphinx Moths, also sometimes called “Hummingbird Moths” browsing both the red birds in the courtyard and the rosemary bushes out back. Interesting little critters, they are about 1/3 the size of hummers but act quite the same in that they hover and sample the nectar and move on to another flower.

I photographed this encounter with a very pretty black butterfly about to descend upon one of the clusters of flowers on the red bird closest to the middle of the courtyard. Click on the image to enlarge.

02 Sep 2014 by Arizona Critters Flowers Home & Garden Photography

National Dog Day

The Dog Park

We didn’t know it when we took Beethoven and Cabela to the Wickenburg Dog Park today, but today is National Dog Day. I discovered that it was dog day while browsing the book of face after we got home.

The dogs really enjoy running around the dog park. They don’t generally get off their leashes when outside, but they run around sniffing everything and, as usual, give us an opportunity to clean up after them. Today, they enjoyed it so much that they took an extra lap around the park perimeter and didn’t seem to want to get on their leashes until after that.

After I discovered it was National Dog Day, I searched for it on the internet and found Holiday Insights:

National Dog Day has two goals: to honor dogs, and to rescue dogs from homelessness and abuse. It’s an opportunity for us to recognize and appreciate the value and importance of dogs in our lives.

This day is intended to honor dogs for all that they do for us. In addition to giving love and companionship, dogs help us out in countless ways. They are watchdogs for our safety. They lead the blind. Dogs aid in search and rescue, and they seek out bombs and drugs.

The second goal of National Dog Day is to rescue dogs in need. On occasion, dogs need us to save them from homelesness and abuse. The goal of the National Dog Day foundation is to rescue 10,000 dogs a year. Lend a hand to help a dog in need today, or any day.

26 Aug 2014 by Arizona Critters Holidays

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