Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Critters

Downtown Succulent Planter

Iceplant Flower

We went downtown today to shop for Mother’s day gifts. Just outside of the shopping plaza, there was a planter with several varieties of succulents growing. In addition to the usual desert succulents, there was a covering of iceplant on the floor of the planter. I took this shot of one of the iceplant flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.

We usually don’t see iceplant in the desert since the cottontails, jack rabbits, squirrels and javelina would find this spineless succulent a tasty snack. This planter probably gets avoided by the desert wildlife since it is in the heart of the downtown tourist area and on a moderately busy US highway.

06 May 2014 by Arizona Critters Flowers Photography

Thrasher Chicks

Thrasher Chicks

I peeked in the thrasher nest this morning and saw three little fuzzy chicks in there with their yellow bills open to receive their feeding. I didn’t stick around since I knew the parents were nearby waiting for me to get out of their way.

I went back this afternoon with the camera and got this shot of two of the chicks. The other one is just out of view on the lower left side of the nest. Again, I quickly got out of the way so the parent birds could do their thing. Click on the image to enlarge.

05 May 2014 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Curve Billed Thrasher Nest

Curve Billed Thrasher Nest

Some of the best things about living in the semi-rural desert is watching the wildlife and seeing the beautiful cactus flowers. There is always something going on.

I was out in the front yard spraying for weeds yesterday, when I noticed a curve-billed thrasher suddenly flush out of a nearby cholla cactus. I put down the spray bottle to investigate and discovered that the thrashers had restored their nest in the cactus from last year. I peeked in and saw three eggs in the nest. Luckily, I had my Canon SX40 still strapped around my neck and held it above the cholla to get this shot of the eggs in the nest. Click on the image to enlarge.

24 Apr 2014 by Arizona Critters Environment

Hummingbird and Agave Flowers

Hummingbird and Yucca

Our travels took us to Surprise, AZ today to do a little shopping and a doctor’s follow-up appointment. The landscape in the parking lot of the doctor had a succulent (a type of agave, we’ve been told) in bloom. Near the bottom of the photo in the center is a tiny hummingbird gathering nectar from the flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.

Ed – Thanks Crotalus for the correction on the flower type.

03 Apr 2014 by Critters Flowers Photography

Flowering Plum Tree Pollinator

Blossom and Bee

Our flowering plum tree in the courtyard is getting more mature. All of a sudden over the past few days, the bare branches seem to be covered with these tiny blossoms.

I took several photos of the flowers today, most of them included bees busily gathering nectar. Between the plum tree, and the fifty rosemary bushes on the RV drive hill, the bees must be producing a lot of honey in hives somewhere near here courtesy of our flowering plants. The bees will be busy with some cactus flowers very soon. Click on the image to enlarge.

06 Mar 2014 by Arizona Critters Flowers Home & Garden Photography

How We Know That Winter Is Over For Us

Turkey Buzzards

Since about a week ago, we have observed several turkey buzzards (vultures) circling above our area. These scavengers seem to migrate away from us during the colder months, but they are back in force.

Damsel took this photo of a gaggle of the buzzards overhead as we were driving down US 60 on our way to town for an appointment and to do some shopping at one of the “bigger” stores down in the west valley (Wal Mart). Click on the image to enlarge.

It seems to us that this many buzzards would indicate nothing but warm temperatures ahead. We’re still waiting for our favorite time of the year when the daytime temperatures go into triple digits. We think the buzzards like it too.

05 Mar 2014 by Arizona Critters Environment Photography

Clownfish and Coral

Clownfish and Coral

Note: For some really good news, visit the other blog.

There is a large aquarium tank in the office of one of Bob’s doctors. There are several exotic tropical fish and some living coral in the tank. I was waiting in the office before our appointment and took this photo of a clownfish hanging around the coral. I guess it is their natural defense from predators to hide among the coral. I had to wait quite a while for one of the two clownfish in the tank to swim into view of my camera. Click on the image to enlarge.

19 Feb 2014 by Critters Photography

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