Critters

I took the short climb up to where the bird feeders are on the hill overlooking the RV drive today to replace one of the seed bells. On the way back down, I turned back to look at the flowering rosemary bushes up there and the horde of bees browsing the pale blue flowers (Blue Tuscan Rosemary). I took several shots with the Canon SL1 and managed to capture one with a bee getting in position to get the nectar from one of the flowers.

I notice that global warming has been selective this week. We’re enjoying spring-like 70° days while the upper plains and Midwest are getting a dose of more winter-like weather (it is weather, after all, and not that other insanity the media and government would have you believe).

Just before opening the patio door to get a shot of the little hummers on the feeder, one of the two that were perched there flew off. This little guy, however, stayed to enjoy some more nectar sips while I took several pictures of him. It was drizzling at the time, but the hummingbirds don’t seem to mind. As a matter of fact, when it was snowing on New Years Eve, the little guys were still coming for the nectar. Click on the image to enlarge.

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.

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.