Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Environment

Squall Line

We were expecting thunderstorms in our Arizona home which prompted me to look at the weather radar on-line. So, I pulled up the area radar and saw that we were likely clear (for the time being) of any serious weather.

As I usually do, I scanned elsewhere in these United States for what else might be going on when I saw this massive squall line over North Dakota extending into Canada in provinces Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It is highly unusual to see a squall line like this in North America. (Clickable) image above is screen capture of an Accuweather radar map of the area. I had a chat with Grok about squall lines in the area:

The most organized feature is the nearly north–south band of stronger echoes (yellows and reds) running through central North Dakota. It stretches from north of Minot, through the Bismarck–Mandan area, and south toward the South Dakota border near Mobridge. That is the classic look of a squall line / QLCS on radar: a relatively narrow, continuous line of thunderstorms rather than scattered individual cells. At the time of the image it was moving generally east.

A second, somewhat more broken area of stronger storms (also showing red cores) sits farther north and east across southeastern Saskatchewan into southwestern Manitoba, near Yorkton, Dauphin, and Brandon. That is the northern extension of the same larger system that produced the earlier severe weather and tornado reports in southern Saskatchewan.
The lighter green areas west of the main line are leftover lighter rain and weaker showers from earlier activity.

NWS Bismarck still had a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect until 11 p.m. CDT, and additional warnings were being issued as the line continued east (one around 8 p.m. CDT covered parts of Burleigh and Emmons counties with 60 mph wind gusts). The line was expected to weaken some as it moved into eastern North Dakota later in the evening.

We said a prayer for the people in the area to be granted the mercy of God’s grace. We pray for victims to be safe, sheltered, fed, clothed as required and given the ability to recover. We know that the volunteer organizations will see to their well being in time. Remember to donate to those charities.

30 Aug 2026 by Environment Science 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

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

Father’s Day and Summer Solstice

Wishing a happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there. A special wish for our Dads who have passed into heaven.

Also, June 21, 2026 is the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere, so Happy Summer (or below the equator – Happy Winter)! The length of our daylight today (sunup to sundown) is 14hrs 27mins.

Clickable image enhanced by GROK AI.

21 Jun 2026 by Ancestors Environment Family Technobabble

Desert Cacti and Mountains

The Cap’n and I happened to have an appointment in Surprise, AZ today. As usual on any trip in the truck (or any other vehicle – think RV), I brought my camera to document the trip. On the way home, I took the photo above of the desert with the mountains in the background. It’s nice to live in a place where you can see the naked desert just a few miles from home. Anyhow, this view is looking northeastward toward Castle Hot Springs, AZ, from the Morristown Overpass on US 60 near mile marker 120. Click on the image to enlarge.

02 Jun 2026 by Arizona Environment Notions Panorama Photography

Tourist Traps

Grand Canyon

Throughout the entire National Park there have been an average of two to three visitors falling into the canyon each year (excluding suicide attempts). With the annual number of visitors to the park exceeding five million annually, this is not surprising given the idiocy of some people stepping across barriers to get selfies at the canyon edge. Add that to the carelessness of folks stepping on areas of slippery or crumbling surfaces and those who feign falling in and actually do. Still, the casual visitors observing the parks recommendations about safety have little to worry about.

Horseshoe Bend

Before the recent addition of additional safety rails and observing platforms, the number of falls into the 1000 foot deep canyon at the bend were on the order of less than one fatality per year. Now, the numbers have dropped such that between 2010 and 2022 there have been only four fatal falls and those due to not observing the safety rails and rules. Horseshoe Bend gets far fewer visitors than Grand Canyon although that number has risen to about two million visitors per year.

The conclusion here is that no persons observing the rules and safety rails/barriers should have any worries about falling in. Those sane folks will no doubt observe other, less sane folks, doing exactly what gets them into harms way.

Damsel and I haven’t been to either of the locations above recently, but may do so in the coming months or years, depending on circumstances. Our lives have become a bit more complicated recently, but more on that later.

Images: top courtesy of USNPS Yavapai Point Webcam and bottom from SuperGrok AI

01 Jun 2026 by Arizona Environment Notions Travel Wanderlust

Buckhorn Cholla Flower Season

Not exactly an Easter Lily, but . . .

This is one of the many flowers or flower buds on the various buckhorn cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa) cacti around the yard. Some are open like this one and some are still in the bud stage waiting for their turn.

I was finishing filling the bird feeders today and stopped to snap this shot with my Samsung S23. (I know, I have better cameras, but this one turned out OK, didn’t it?) Click on the image to enlarge.

We have been a little slow on getting blogs to post, and there is a good, but, undisclosed for now, reason. We’ll try to do better over the next several weeks as the disturbances are abating somewhat.

With the season of Easter upon us, may we wish you and yours a very Happy Easter!! HE IS RISEN!!

04 Apr 2026 by Arizona Environment Flowers Home & Garden Photography Religion

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