Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Thimble Cactus

thimble cactusThis cluster of tiny globes is part of a “thimble” cactus, in a pot on the patio. This variety is native to central Mexico. The cactus consists of these little round buds, each of which has clusters of interlaced white spines. If left on the open ground, it will spread to form large mats like a ground cover.

In late winter, this little cactus produces satiny, creamy yellow flowers. It likes bright light and warm temperatures, although it will tolerate short duration temperatures down to as low as 20 degrees F.

In the photo, the clusters appear near actual size on the computer screen. To see the globes and spines close up, click on the image. By the way, those little spines are extremely sharp and stiff.

13 Jul 2009 by Home & Garden

S&W 686 Muzzle Flash

Glenn B from Ballseye’s Boomers asked if there was any way I could post the video from which I extracted the “Burnin’ Ring of Fire” image posted here a few days ago. The short answer is yes, but with the caveat that, by bandwidth necessity, the picture size has to be reduced resulting in half the resolution.

Regardless of the reduction, the video shows several of the muzzle flashes captured during the seven-rounds that Damsel fired on target. No two are the same, and I can’t tell you exactly which was the flash we posted here last week. It’s one of the two prominent rings near the middle of the sequence, I assume.

I use SWiSHVideo, which is a tool to convert most video formats into Flash™ animation format. I wrote my own set of on-line tools to seamlessly embed the animations into our webpages and posts. We hope everyone enjoys them.

12 Jul 2009 by Firearms Shooting

Rainbow Burst

rainbow burst succulentIn recent months, I’ve added several new succulents to the cactus and succulent section of our patio. We get them either from the gift shop at the Botanic Gardens or at the local home supply outlet’s garden shop. This morning, we had this lovely “rainbow” appear.

Click the image to enlarge.

Echinobvia hybrids, “Rainbow bursts,” are so named for their spectacular display of colorful flowers during the spring and summer months. These hybrids are crosses between Echinopsis and Lobovia succulent species, hence the Echinobvia hybrid designation. This cultivar must be protected from frost and be placed in an area that gets direct sunlight for most of the daylight hours.

11 Jul 2009 by Home & Garden

Before and After

before and afterHere is the muzzle of the .357 Magnum S&W 686 before and after cleaning. I guess you could reverse the photos and say before and after shooting. I showed a “During” picture yesterday of Damsel firing this gun at the range. From that picture, you can appreciate how all the residue generated during target practice can foul up the gun, inside and out.

Not to worry – Damsel takes some Strike Hold CLP and transforms the dirty to the clean in just a few minutes. She took the before and after cleaning photos and I scaled and merged them into this composite image. Click for the close-up.

10 Jul 2009 by Firearms Shooting

Midweek Range Flashback

Our weekly outing to the indoor range always includes taking a couple of the shotguns. Usually, Damsel takes her 20 gauge Remington 870 “Junior” shotgun.

She bought the junior model since it is lighter, shorter and a perfect size for people with smaller frames. She loves it, but every time I take my full sized Remington 870 12 gauge gun, she makes sure to fire a few rounds with it, too. The big Remington is heavier and has more recoil, but, as she puts it, “You never know when I might have to use this in a personal defense emergency, so I better know how to use it.”

I think she handles it OK.

08 Jul 2009 by Firearms Shooting

Natural Camouflage

In April, we camped along the Colorado River at the KOA in Blythe, CA. Before heading off to Phoenix and the NRA Convention that day, we took a little walk along the river. At one point, I thought I saw something moving in the water. It turned out to be a spotted catfish whose natural camouflage made it difficult to see until it moved. I estimate that this fish is about 20 inches in length. Click image to enlarge.

colorado-river-catfish.jpg

07 Jul 2009 by Critters Travel

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