Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Dark Backed Goldfinch

Goldfinch

I was in the courtyard today with my camera intending to take some photos of Bob planting a couple of new xeriscape acquisitions when I noticed this little goldfinch taking seeds from the front feeder. He was not startled by my appearance in the courtyard and just stayed perched on the feeder taking the Nyjer seeds. I approached him and got several shots like the one above before he finally took off.

I looked up goldfinch on Wikipedia and found that there are several varieties of them. The ones that come around here are called the Dark Backed “Lesser” Goldfinch. They are a very small songbird according to the Wikipedia Article:

The lesser goldfinch or dark-backed goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) is a very small songbird of the Americas. Together with its relatives the American goldfinch and Lawrence’s goldfinch, it forms the American goldfinches clade in the genus Spinus sensu stricto.

The American goldfinches can be distinguished by the males having a black (rarely green) forehead, whereas the latter is (like the rest of the face) red or yellow in the European goldfinch and its relatives. North American males are markedly polymorphic and 5 subspecies are often named; at least 2 of them seem to represent a less-progressed stage in evolution however.

16 Nov 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Islamic Terrorists in Europe and Beyond

solidarity.jpgOur neighbor with French ancestry flew this display of colors today, apparently in solidarity with France after the recent Islamic terrorist attacks in Paris. We noticed it this afternoon and I took this image from our driveway using the telephoto lens. Click on the image to enlarge.

With regard to solidarity, I’m not a Francophile by any stretch of the imagination, but if French President Hollande goes through with his resolution to fight terrorists, then I’m all for it and believe the US should help. I also believe that the terrorism in France is not a local problem and will soon spread to other places in Europe and, sadly, to America.

The Executive Branch of the US Government, on its own accord and without permission of the Congress has ordered the relocation of “refugees” to New Orleans and other places stateside. That is just plain wrong. I read that Ted Cruz wants to stop Obama’s illegal importation of terrorists, but I don’t know how he expects to do that. I support the notion since there is clear evidence that some of the French Islamic Terrorists were originally “refugees.”

Many of the pro-gun websites I frequent advise that wherever we go, we should all be carrying our guns all the time. That is nothing new for Damsel and I, but we will have to be especially vigilant for anything that smacks of potential terrorism. Unlike TSA and other politically correct government entities, we always have, and always will, profile people we encounter.

14 Nov 2015 by Current Events International Islamic Terrorism

Fall Weather

Fall Weather

The second spring seems to have come to an end since the lows are now in the mid-forties and the highs rarely get above 70. Fall is upon us, I’m afraid.

The porch thermometer was at 48° after nine this morning when we took the dogs for their first morning walk. With the little breeze blowing, it felt more like 38°.

The forecast is for warmer on the weekend when we will be attending our annual Bluegrass Days festival up at the rodeo grounds. More on that later. Meanwhile, enjoy the image of a nice cool afternoon in our corner of the desert. Click on the image to enlarge.

11 Nov 2015 by Arizona Environment Home & Garden

Sacred Datura

Sacred Datura

When we walk the dogs for their daily trip up the road, we pass a neighbor’s property which is still unimproved/unmaintained natural desert, complete with creosote, mesquite, cat’s paw and a host of native cacti. There is this one little shrub that we have been passing and not paying much mind to it. Recently, seed pods resembling blowfish have appeared. Out of curiosity, I went to our desert guide to see if I could find a match. I found Sacred Datura to be a match for what we were seeing.

I looked up sacred datura on Wikipedia and found that the binomial name was Datura Wrightii which is a hallucinogenic herb used by some native American tribes.

Datura wrightii or sacred datura is the name of a poisonous perennial plant and ornamental flower of southwestern North America. It is sometimes used as a hallucinogen. D. wrightii is classified as a deliriant and an anticholinergic.

It is a vigorous herbaceous perennial that grows 30 cm to 1.5 m tall and wide. The leaves are broad and rounded at the base, tapering to a point, often with wavy margins. The flowers are the most striking feature, being sweetly fragrant white trumpets up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long, often tinted purple, especially at the margin. Five narrow points are spaced symmetrically around the rim. It can bloom from April to October. In clear weather, flowers open at nearly full dark and wither a few hours after sunrise the following morning; in cloudy weather, they may open earlier and last longer.

The seeds are borne in a spiny, globular capsule 3 to 4 cm in diameter, which opens when fully ripe.

D. wrightii is found in northern Mexico and the adjoining U. S. states, as far north as southern Utah, in open land with well-drained soils. It is also commonly planted as an ornamental, especially in xeriscapes.

The name commemorates the botanist Charles Wright.

Given that it is used in xeriscapes, we might try and obtain some of the seeds to cultivate new plants we can use for the rock and cactus garden.

10 Nov 2015 by Arizona Environment Home & Garden

A Desert Rainbow

A Desert Rainbow

The end of the showers associated with the cold front that passed through here last evening produced this nice desert rainbow seen above our little cottage and the big saguaro as the sun began to set. Today, the cold air mass left in the wake of the front held our high temperature to about 61 degrees. A far cry from what it was a scant 30 days ago with daytime temperatures over 90 degrees. Oh, well, we just put on the long pants and sweaters and we’re OK. Click on the image to enlarge.

05 Nov 2015 by Arizona Environment Photography

Green Light for Transitioning Veterans

Green LightWe changed the light bulb in the sconce behind the flagpole where it is visible from the road below to this nice shade of green, rather than bug light yellow. Why would we do that? Well, it seems there is a movement sponsored by Walmart and other veterans support organizations to “GREEN LIGHT” veterans returning to civilian life by encouraging employment of vets and other programs intended to give these American heroes the opportunities they need in order to transition back to the lifestyles they left prior to service.

Damsel put the green party light in the supermarket shopping cart last week because she had seen a TV spot that encouraged the green light to show support for returning vets. I seldom question what she puts in the cart because – well just because – so it went home with the groceries. It was not until we were at home a couple of days later when I asked her about it. Eventually, I saw the TV spot that she had seen before and did the research to see what I could find on-line.

Here are some excerpts from the Walmart Community pages on Americans Encouraged to Greenlight Opportunity for Transitioning Veterans:

Today, empowering organizations including the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Team Red, White and Blue, Team Rubicon, Hire Heroes USA and Blue Star Families joined Walmart to launch Greenlight A Vet. This is a campaign to help create visible and actionable national support for America’s veterans and their families. You interact with them every day at work, at school and in the neighborhood. However, it’s hard to show them support or recognize their contributions when, back home and out of uniform, they’re more camouflaged than ever.

A green light means go and that’s what veterans are known for – their ability to take action quickly no matter the challenge. They demonstrate great leadership skills in any situation and represent the best of America. Their involvement in communities is central to our nation’s success.

Anyone can Greenlight A Vet:

  • Hire one today. Or help a veteran find a job.
  • Volunteer and serve with veterans groups in your local community.
  • Start a mentor/mentee relationship with a returning veteran.
  • Raise awareness on social media.
  • Or simply signal support by changing your porch light to green.

We are supporting those last two bullets with the green porch light, our blog and a link to our other social media places.

03 Nov 2015 by Culture Military Patriotism

Ancient Native American Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs

These petroglyphs are clearly visible from US Highway 60 as we travel through a little mountain pass between Hope, AZ and Harcuvar, AZ. I captured this image as we drove through the pass just before the curve where you exit the pass and go into Harcuvar, just to the east of the etched rocks.

The symbology on these rocks is similar to other native petroglyphs readily available to be seen throughout the southwest US. Although we did not stop this time, I can tell you from previous visits to this place that the inscriptions are well-preserved and, fortunately, not tagged or disrupted by modern day idiots would-be petroglyphographers. Click on the image to enlarge.

30 Oct 2015 by Arizona Culture Photography Wanderlust

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