Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

The Church of Woodworkism

Going to Church

Damsel and I took an interesting ride out to neighboring Congress, AZ today to work out the details of our back courtyard gate at home. When we got there, we met with “Roger” who was working on our project. We got specific about the details of the gate, made a cash down payment and inspected his work in progress. It was all good.

While we were there, Roger offered to show us around the compound and lumberyard. One feature, which was not there four years ago when we commissioned them to build the front courtyard gate. He referred to the church-like structure as the title of this post. In reality, it was a storage facility where freshly-milled wood planks (more like thick beams) were placed to dry out prior to being used in any of their projects.

The whole compound is really interesting and consists of an art studio, a lumber yard, several rustic-looking buildings and museum-quality relics of all sorts. If you’re ever in the area, the place is located on Arizona State Route 89 just inside town limits of Congress. It will be on the left if going north on 89. It’s hard to miss.

13 May 2015 by Arizona Humor

Our Second Saguaro Flower

Second Saguaro Flower

I didn’t put up a picture of the first saguaro flower on our “big guy” cactus because it was in an awkward place to photograph. Click on the the link to take you to a profile view of the first blossom which was directly behind the second-to-open flower bud when it was open.

In the view above, you can see the inside of the flower a little better. Click on the image to enlarge.

The big saguaro has dozens of flower buds, so we should be in business with many flowers to open over the next few weeks. I just love springtime in the desert!

12 May 2015 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Another Grandson on the Way

Grandson Ultrasound

We have known for a couple of months that we are going to become grandparents yet again. My son called me today and announced that the ultrasound shows a 99% probability that this is a baby boy.

Even though we are already great grandparents, this is the first grandchild from this branch of the family tree. Our son and his wife both had careers to nurture before children, but we’re glad that the blessed event is on the way.

It was especially nice to get this news on Mothers Day. Happy Mothers Day to all.

10 May 2015 by People Retirement Technobabble

Sage and Hummingbird

Sage and Hummingbird

I got an unexpected opportunity to photograph this beautiful little hummingbird hovering between flower stems while collecting nectar from one of three Cleveland Sage shrubs in the courtyard this afternoon. Damsel says that even with good luck that you have to be at the ready with your camera should a photo-op suddenly present itself. I managed to get the shot and a compliment from the household photo expert.

I don’t know the binomial description of this species of hummer, but I do know it’s a pretty one flitting between sage flowers several times today out in the courtyard. Photo taken with my Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR, F5.6, ISO 1000, shutter speed 1/4000 sec, focal length 300mm from a distance of about twelve feet. Click on the image to enlarge.

09 May 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Colorful Barrel Cactus Flowers

Barrel Cactus Flowers

We were at the west end of town today checking the PO Box and shopping a day early because of an appointment with the dermatologist tomorrow. While Bob was getting the mail, I walked around and took some photos of some of the landscape and flowers near the Post Office.

I found a barrel cactus behind the bank that had eight beautiful flowers open. I took the photo above of one side of the cactus. Click on the image to enlarge. The link highlighted in the first sentence of this paragraph takes you to the whole cactus.

06 May 2015 by Arizona Flowers Photography

Argentine Giant Flowers Encore

Argentine Giant Flowers

For the second time this spring, our Argentine Giant Cactus (Echinopsis candicans) had two flowers open. They were out last night, but I waited to take this photo until this morning when they were fully open and the light was good.

This is a single stem cactus at present, but the species can spread out by producing more stems and can occupy a large area. In its present location, we can’t allow it to spread too much, so we will remove and replant other stems should they occur.

I’m not certain, but we may be getting a third bloom in a while since there seems to be another fuzzy patch that may develop into another flower. That would be nice. The flowers are are beautiful and fragrant. Click on the image to enlarge.

05 May 2015 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Thrasher Tending To The Nest

Thrasher Tending to the Nest

Not much going on here today other than a little badly needed rain. Went to the supermarket for some stuff while it was pouring and when I got home it dried up. We went out to the courtyard with the camera and managed to catch this photo of one of the Curve Billed Thrashers just coming out of the nest with the six eggs.

There is a lot of activity around the nest and Damsel and I wonder if there could be more than one pair of Thrashers that laid eggs there. Six seems a lot for one bird. Click on the image to enlarge.

04 May 2015 by Arizona Critters Environment Photography

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