Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Nest Building

Nest Building

I’m still messing with the new camera to continue exploring its various features. I needed to set the autofocus to a single, rather than multiple, focus points for use with the telephoto lens.

While I was out in the courtyard experimenting with the new setting, I saw a curve billed thrasher on the cholla in front of the house. Upon closer inspection through the viewfinder, I noticed that it held a twig in its beak. After I took this photo, the bird went deeper into the cactus where it and its mate are apparently building a nest. Click on the image to enlarge.

09 Jan 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden 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 Camera Candid Telephoto Shots

House Finch Hummingbird 
Antelope squirrel Cardinal in Mesquite Tree

I have been enjoying using the new camera a lot. The camera, as ordered, came bundled with a Canon 75-300mm EF telephoto lens. I’m still reading the aftermarket how-to book on the camera and accessories, but have had pretty good luck photographing some of the critters in our back yard.

I went out into the unimproved part of our lot and laid in waiting for some of the desert birds to come around to gather the goodies that Damsel and I put out to attract them. It was just a few minutes after I hung out the seed bell and block that a house finch (upper left) showed up to partake. There was also a cardinal (lower right) in the mesquite tree next to the feeders waiting for his opportunity. Earlier in the day when I took out the finch feeders, a little Antelope Ground Squirrel (lower left) showed up for a handout. As a bonus, a hummingbird (upper right) perched in the mesquite tree as I was headed back into the patio.

All of these (and more not shown) were taken in our back yard. Click on each individual panel above to see the full-sized photo.

03 Jan 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

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

Late Afternoon Panorama of the House

Panorama

Late today, I realized that Damsel’s wide-angle lens that she has had for years would likely fit my new camera. She brought it out to me and it did fit the new rig. Just for a subject to try it out, I went out front and snapped three wide-angle images which I later stitched into this super wide-angle view of our little house and lot.

I’m going to save this image to compare to another that I will take in the not to distant future after our contractor installs retaining walls and paves the RV drive with concrete. The house and lot should look more complete then, although we’re a work in progress for landscaping and other home improvements. Click on the image to view the full panorama.

30 Dec 2014 by Arizona Panorama

Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbird Feeder

I stood by the patio trying to keep myself concealed from some quail on the hill behind our house. I was going to try and capture some wild bird photos from this slight cover when a hummingbird approached Damsel’s feeder not three feet away and commenced to get some of the nectar.

With the new camera, it only took a matter of a second or two to reacquire the target at close range, deploy the flash and capture the shot seen above. I sure like the new camera. Click on the image to enlarge.

29 Dec 2014 by Arizona Critters Photography

Another New Camera

Canon SL1As sort of a late Christmas present to myself, I acquired this Canon Rebel EOS SL1 SLR camera. I have used the little point-and-shoot cameras for years, but thought that this would be a good time to upgrade to some serious hardware.

The package I bought included a Canon 75-300mm telephoto lens in addition to the standard 18-55mm lens. One really good thing is that all the lenses are interchangeable with Damsel’s Canon EOS T2 camera.

The new camera has a lot of advanced features that I hope to learn as I transition away from point and shoot. I still will carry the pocket sized A1400 Power Shot when it is not convenient to carry the new camera since it is possible to get some good shots with the point and shoot.

I expect that I can use the new camera to supplement Damsel’s outstanding talents with her camera, perhaps as having the telephoto lens installed when she needs a long shot on one of our planned excursions into the scenic west. Having the second camera ready just may help us to document our travels just that much better.

28 Dec 2014 by Entertainment Photography Technobabble

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