Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Targeted Public Service Commercials

There was a free preview to DirecTV’s “Extra Innings” MLB access channels which we have been taking advantage of over the last few nights. The preview is over now, but we got to see some pretty good games.

Last evening, Damsel and I watched the baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Oakland A’s. The broadcast originated in Oakland, but the sportscasters were with the Yankee organization, so the broadcast and the commercials shown were intended for New York’s fans.

We watched several games, but never saw this TV spot until last night. We’re sure glad that we live in a place where this sort of spot never has to be televised.

20 Jul 2012 by Media Sports Travel

Cloudy Day Over the Mountains

Cloudy Day Over the Mountains

It was thin overcast most of the day today with some breaks in the clouds. I took this image about a quarter mile north from our house this afternoon while we were on our way home from shopping. The presence of clouds makes it a bit cooler although the humidity goes up a bit. Click on the image to enlarge.

19 Jul 2012 by Arizona Photography

Headwaters of the Little Casandro Wash

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This is one of my “gnarly” sepia photos. The subject is the fencepost on the corner of our neighbor’s property where our little “river” originated the other day after a heavy monsoon shower. You can see the eroded area to the left of the boulder below the fence in the picture. The flow of the runoff carved little riverbanks all along our road down to the paved road where the flow joined the main Casandro wash. Click on the image to enlarge.

18 Jul 2012 by Arizona Environment Photography

Carrion Flower in the Desert

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We brought one of our stapelia gigantea plants from California to the Arizona High Desert. I didn’t know if this south African succulent would like the climate here, but apparently it is OK. Damsel discovered the open flower this morning.

Last week we found that the stapelia had two flower pods. One pod fizzled but the other flower pod is now open.

From Dave’s Garden:

Stapelia gigantea — Interesting succulent, olive green and erect. Lots of branches. 4-sided spineless stems average up to 9 inches and about 1 inch thick. Cactus-like appearance.

Grown mostly for the starfish-shaped flower. Flowers are pale yellow with reddish stripes, covered with white hairs. Flower can average 8 to 12 inches across. It is said to look flesh-like, also reported to have a rotting meat odor, which attracts its main visitor, the fly, for pollinating

This plant which is usually grown in pots is known by several common names which include the following: starfish flower, Zulu-giant, carrion flower and giant toad. It is native to southern Africa and Mozambique.

By the way, Dave’s Garden is one valuable resource when trying to learn about plants and flowers.

17 Jul 2012 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

A Cactus Wren

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This cactus wren was perched on the crook that holds the seed block feeder. I took this photo from the RV drive just below the feeders. Click on the image to enlarge.

From Wikipedia:

The Cactus Wren is the largest North American wren, at 18–23 cm (7.1–9.1 in) long. Unlike the smaller wrens, the Cactus Wren is easily seen. It has the loud voice characteristic of wrens. The Cactus Wren is much less shy than most of the family. Its marked white eyestripe, brown head, barred wings and tail, and spotted tail feathers make it easy to identify. Like most birds in its genus, it has a slightly curved bill.

This is also the state bird of Arizona.

15 Jul 2012 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

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