Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Environment

No, They Didn’t Say “MEEP MEEP”

Male Female

I have started carrying the camera with me as I do some of the routine outdoor chores; one never knows when a desert “Photo Op” might present itself. I had just finished taking a birdseed block and bell up to the feeders this afternoon, when two roadrunners, a male and a female (mates, I presume) showed up at the base of the poles where the feeders hang.

I was near the back door of the screened-in patio and had my telephoto lens on the camera at the ready. I snapped several shots of the birds as they lurked around the feeders waiting for an opportunity to snatch a goldfinch or other small bird as it might come to feed. Click on either bird to enlarge the image.

We saw these birds earlier in the day when the dogs alerted us to their presence. We saw them again as we were taking the dogs for a walk after breakfast. I got the shots above an hour or so after the last morning sighting.

24 Jan 2015 by Arizona Critters Environment Photography

Solar Corona and Sun Dogs

Solar Corona and Sun Dogs

This afternoon, I noticed a bright sun dog visible through the window in the living room. I grabbed my camera and took this photo of the sky with one of the front patio posts between the camera and the glare of the sun.

The original photo has been post-processed to achieve the effects of a slower film speed and shorter exposure time. It has further been processed to bring out the colors with a greater saturation setting. Click on the image to enlarge.

23 Jan 2015 by Arizona Environment Photography

Arizona Nightfall

Arizona Nightfall

I read selected parts of “Canon EOS Rebel SL1/100D for Dummies” after I receiving my new SLR camera. Having converted from the ‘point and shoot’ mindset, I now try and compose my photos using book-recommended photographer techniques and camera settings, if possible.

I took this sunset shot after carefully composing the scene from our front courtyard as the colors of the sunset and sky combined into a rainbow of reds through purples. I used the foreground mesquite tree to partially mask some of the “ugly” infrastructure (power poles, etc.) such that the photo was all about colors and composition without distracting artifacts.

This view is looking west south west from just outside our front door. Camera settings: F4.0, ISO 125, Focal Length 75mm and exposure time 1/125 sec. Click on the image to enlarge.

17 Jan 2015 by Arizona Environment Photography

One Week After the Snow

One Week After the SnowExactly a week ago, the ground was covered with snow. Much of it, especially on the north side of hills, stayed for several days.

Today, however, is like spring again. There is no snow in sight. I broke out in a sweat in a T shirt hiking up on the hill behind the house. Although we don’t think winter is over by far, Damsel and I will take this nice weather for now.

The clock on the patio is reporting for mid afternoon, the time and date, phase of the moon (full) and a tropical 71.3 degrees in the shade. The phenomenon we are observing here is called weather.

It is not climate disruption, not global warming, not CO2 greenhouse effect and not urban heat island(1). It’s just weather, the same thing every year with the occasional anomaly. We’re good with that, so stop whining about what it ain’t.

(1) Urban Heat Island (UHI) is real enough, but not here in semi-rural Wickenburg.

07 Jan 2015 by Arizona Environment Global Warming

New Years Eve Snowfall

Snowfall

According to the Wickenburg Book of Face page, the town has not had a snowfall like this in twenty years. We didn’t measure the depth of snow, but it seems to be the better part of an inch deep. Very slippery on the concrete driveway – we both had our feet quickly replace with our backsides. No harm, though, just a broken nail and wet clothing.

The dogs don’t seem to mind the snow. They just think it’s something new to sniff and explore. We adults played in the snow a bit as well.

I took this photo of the house showing snow still falling with accumulation on the ground, courtyard wall, saguaro and cholla cacti. Click on the image to enlarge.

31 Dec 2014 by Arizona Environment Home & Garden Photography

Winter Solstice

winter-solstice.jpg

ephemeris.jpgHappy First Day of Winter! Although the seasonal temperatures are going to continue to be cool or cold, the good news is that the days from this point forward (in the northern hemisphere) will be getting longer until the June Summer Solstice.

I got a screenshot from Archaeoastronomy dot com showing the position of the Earth in our orbit today. In ninety days when we arrive at the vernal equinox, the weather should be warm and the flowers on the cacti will be opening.

I also put a screenshot from the ephemeris on our family blog to the right, showing the less than ten hours of daylight that we get here on this day. As I mentioned above, the days will now be getting longer. The times shown in the graphic are Arizona local.

21 Dec 2014 by Astronomy Environment

Gentle Desert Rain

Droplets on Palo Verde

We have been getting delightful rain showers for the last two days. The forecast says it is just about over, though. We welcome the rain anytime in the desert as long as it isn’t one of those destructive microbursts like we had last summer.

This picture was taken during a lull in the shower activity. I noticed the water droplets clinging to the Palo Verde out front and thought they looked very pretty. Click on the image to enlarge.

04 Dec 2014 by Arizona Environment Photography

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