Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Frost Alert

Frost Alert

We don’t remember having several nights of sub-freezing weather last winter, at least not six consecutive days in a row. Fortunately, we took precautions for possible freezing weather starting as early as November, draining the spa, and flushing the motor home plumbing. No sense in waiting until the last minute. We got this image of the birdbath next to the RV drive yesterday morning (about 10:30 AM) still frozen solid – one big ice cube.

The forecast is for warmer conditions returning by mid-week or so. Not so much sub-freezing nights and warmer days (up to the 60s or so). Click on the image to enlarge.

13 Jan 2013 by Arizona Environment Home & Garden

Native Beavertail Cactus

Native Beavertail CactusThis cactus is a beavertail (opuntia basilaris). It grows in the wash behind and to the left of our house. It is behind several cholla cacti and creosote bushes, so we can’t see it unless we go up into the wash near the north property line.

I walked around the lot today, looking for quail nests and whatever I could see. I found a wren or thrasher nest (not sure which) in one of the cholla cacti on the other side of the lot from where I took the picture of the beavertail. There were no quail nests, though. Maybe it’s too early in the season for that.

Last year, I found some other beavertail cacti up on the hill on the other side of the lot. I dug several of them up and transplanted them to the landscaped part of the property, along the road and RV drive. Those are doing pretty well. Damsel hopes that they will produce some of their hot pink flowers this spring. Click on the image above to enlarge.

11 Jan 2013 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

A Marjan Salmon Pink Rose

A Marjan Rose

We went grocery shopping today. While we were in the floral department of the supermarket, I saw these beautiful roses. The tag says “Marjan.” I did an internet search and found a description of Marjan roses at FiftyFlowers.com:

A fresh salmon orange rose, Marjan has a slender head with a high petal count that fully opens into a classic bloom. Its color is unique, and often described as a dark pinkish-orange. For a fiery effect, combine this rose with any hot or light pink wedding bouquet, table centerpiece or flower arrangement.

Click on the image to enlarge.

10 Jan 2013 by Flowers Home & Garden Photography

The Three Stooges (Again)

Ramirez posted this funny cartoon on IBD yesterday. It’s pretty funny when you think about it.

The Three Stooges

The cartoon reminded me of a little video I put together in March of 2006 about the then Democratic leadership. Be sure to have the audio turned on to enjoy the musical antics:

09 Jan 2013 by Beltway Kabuki Humor Whacko Politics

Global Warming Has Stopped

According to scientists being quoted by (of all the unlikely media places) The London Telegraph. Their article entitled “Global warming at a standstill, new Met Office figures show,” is reproduced, in part, below.

The Met Office has downgraded its forecast for global warming to suggest that by 2017 temperatures will have remained about the same for two decades.

A new scientific model has revised previous figures for the next five years downwards by around a fifth.

The forecast compares how much higher average world temperatures are likely to be than the “long-term average” from 1971-2000.

It had been thought that this would be 0.54C during the period 2012 -2016 but new data puts the figure for the 2013-2017 period at 0.43C.

This figure is little higher than the 0.40C recorded in 1998, the warmest year in the Met Office Hadley Centre’s 160-year record – suggesting global warming will have stalled in the intervening two-decade period.

However, it is thought that factors such as ocean current patterns may be behind the slowdown and scientists say the “variability” in climate change does not alter the long-term trend of rising temperatures.

Of course, the usual “however” statement (highlighted) leaves the door open for future panic.

Hat tip – Greg Pollowitz of Planet Gore – Scientists: Global Warming Has Stopped.

08 Jan 2013 by Global Warming

Opuntia Spikes

Opuntia Spikes

There are literally dozens of opuntia (prickly pear) cacti on and all around our lot. There are several varieties of these, although I don’t know their proper names. Two things I do know is (1) the spikes are very menacing and (2) there will be flowers in the springtime. This particular cactus is beside the road about 200 feet east of our house. Click on the image to enlarge.

07 Jan 2013 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

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