Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Desert Leaf Cutter Ants

For several years running – basically, since we had the landscaper plant the big ocotillo out front – we have seen what appear to be ant trails where leaves or flowers from the ocotillo and other sources running across the driveway (see left panel in the clickable composite image above). We knew that these trails were left by nocturnal ants since we were out one night to watch the ISS flyover and saw the ants actively going back and forth along the trail. The destination is their anthill located about fifteen feet beyond the pavement which is shown in the right panel above.

I showed the photos to Grok and asked about the ants:

These are desert leafcutter ants (Acromyrmex versicolor), the common fungus-farming species in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

In summer (especially the hottest months like August), their foraging is almost entirely nocturnal because daytime surface temperatures are too extreme. They form clear trails while carrying plant material back to the nest, exactly as in your driveway photo, and often deposit piles of leaf fragments around the entrance crater.

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is one of the plants they regularly harvest. Studies of Arizona colonies show they collect both fresh young leaves and dry vegetation from ocotillo along with other desert perennials such as paloverde, mesquite, ironwood, creosote, and catclaw acacia. Fresh leaves make up a notable portion of the forage when available (especially after rains when ocotillos leaf out).

They do not eat the leaves. Workers cut and carry pieces underground to cultivate a specialized symbiotic fungus in garden chambers; the ants and their larvae feed on the fungus. Colonies can be sizable, with crater-like nest entrances (often multiple) in sandy or gravelly soil, and they clear or accumulate plant debris around the openings.

A related but less widespread species, Atta mexicana (Mexican leafcutter), also occurs in southern Arizona and shows similar nocturnal summer foraging and leaf-carrying, but Acromyrmex versicolor is the typical one across much of the Sonoran Desert, including areas like Wickenburg. Both are native and generally harmless to people (they can bite if handled but do not sting like harvester ants).

The trail of fresh green leaves leading ~15 feet to the entrance, plus the accumulation right at the hole, is classic behavior for these ants during a summer night’s work. They will likely continue as long as temperatures stay high and suitable plant material is available.

That is some interesting information about the ants. We don’t consider them a nuisance and expect to just leave them to do their thing. They are part of God’s wonderful desert nature at work in our own front yard.

16 Aug 2026 by Arizona Critters Environment 0

Venus and Moonset

When Bob took Tucker out for his late walk this evening, we saw this asterism looking west; the five percent illuminated waxing crescent moon was just about to set in the west with the evening “star,” Venus, above and to the south. With the cloud texture and otherwise clear sky, it was a beautiful sight. Click on the image to enlarge.

14 Aug 2026 by Arizona Astronomy Photography 0

Pronghorn Leaves Wolf in the Dust

I saw this yesterday on Captain’s Journal. It is truly astounding how fast those Pronghorn Antelope can run.

I did some Grok research on the fastest land animal in the U.S.:

Q. How fast can a pronghorn antelope run?

A. Around 55–60 mph (about 88–97 km/h) at top speed for short bursts, with exceptional endurance at lower high speeds.
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), often called pronghorn antelope (though not a true antelope), are the fastest land mammals in North America and the second-fastest overall after the cheetah. Key reported figures include:

  • Top sprint speeds commonly cited around 55 mph (88–89 km/h) for about half a mile (roughly 800 m), with some sources noting up to 60–62 mph under good conditions.
  • Sustained speeds of roughly 40–45 mph for longer distances (e.g., a mile or more) and around 35 mph for several miles (up to 4–5+ miles in some accounts).

They outpace any current North American predator and can maintain high speeds far longer than a cheetah (which is faster in short sprints but tires quickly). Their adaptations include a large heart and lungs, oversized windpipe for oxygen intake, light bones, and cushioned hooves that help absorb impact at speed. This speed likely evolved partly in response to extinct predators like the American cheetah.

I embedded the above article from Instagram®. Click the arrow to view.

It is amazing to behold the wonders of God’s creations.

10 Aug 2026 by Critters Entertainment Notions 0

New AZ CWP Issued

Both Damsel and I submitted (on line) renewal applications for our Arizona Concealed Weapons Permits last month. The new permits arrived today and we are impressed with the new format showing a desert motif picturing mountains, a cactus and a roadrunner. Very nice. (Vital Statistics graphically Removed for Privacy.)

Not visible in the (clickable) photocopy above, are the watermarks that appear under certain light conditions which reveal a large number of concentric circles and a logo of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. All in all, we both are happy with the new format.

Since Arizona is actually a “Constitutional Carry” State, we don’t need to have a concealed permit at all. However, due to an unnecessary and UNCONSTITUTIONAL law in the US CODE, unless you have a CWP permit issued in the state where you are carrying, you are prohibited from coming within 1000 feet of any school:

18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2)(A) Makes it unlawful for any individual to knowingly possess a firearm that has moved in or affects interstate commerce at a place the person knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone

. The exception that we are interested in is:

State-Licensed Permit Holders: Carried by an individual holding a valid concealed carry permit issued by the state in which the school zone is located, provided state law required background/qualification verification. (Note: Reciprocal out-of-state permits generally do not qualify for this federal exemption).

Because of the exception noted above, we have to be very careful of where we go in the RV since we don’t have carry permits for other than Arizona and Utah. Of course, the law is Bullshit in the first place and needs to be struck down.

Unfortunately, and due to election fraud, we believe that our two Senators, both Democrats, are in office. It falls on deaf ears when we suggest to them that some of these rules need to be struck down.

Pray for righteous leaders to rise and prevail in the elections ahead of us. We are. Thank you for your attention in this matter.

04 Aug 2026 by Arizona CCW Firearms Second Amendment 0

RV Repairs Upcoming

During the cross-country junket last year, we suffered a few problems with our RV. I’m going to mention only a couple of major problems, but, rest assured, there are many more squawks. The RV is now over ten years old and showing some wear and tear and desert rash (we still don’t have an enclosure (yet) but that will be coming, one of these days.

First and foremost, when connected to city water, the fresh water tank overflows onto the ground periodically, as if there is a valve changing position and flowing water into the fresh tank rather than throughout the water system in the RV (washer, shower, bathroom and kitchen sinks, etc. Next, the water valve that controls the toilet flush leaks and water flows into the toilet bowl and has to be flushed periodically. Both of the above problems required us to turn off the city water valve outside if we weren’t actively using the fresh water in the RV. Next, there are a few little cosmetic things on the outside that need attention.

There are other problems, as I mentioned and we gave a list of concerns to the RV repair shop to address at their shop. They ferried the RV down to the shop yesterday and we will be working with them and the insurance company to assess the problems. The repair crew advises that the adjuster for our insurance company works with them on a regular basis to diagnose and resolve problems.

So, the RV is going to be in the shop for a while. There are a lot of squawks and we don’t expect to have the big guy back anytime real soon.

Meanwhile, we’re happy here in our desert paradise, thanks to Almighty God. We remain assured that things with the RV will be resolved in good time.

02 Aug 2026 by Notions Retirement Travel Wanderlust 0

Hoplophobia

Hoplophobia is defined as the fear of weaponry (in this case guns) as coined by Col. Jeff Cooper in 1962. Although the phobia itself is not classified as an actual mental disorder. Personally, I think it should be.

Colion Noir posted this interesting video on you tube about an actual individual who suffers from hoplophobia:

I had a short conversation with Grok about the disease:

Have there been any actual clinical diagnoses for hoplophobia?

No, “hoplophobia” is not a recognized clinical diagnosis** in mainstream psychiatry or psychology.

Official Status

  • It does **not** appear in the *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders* (DSM-5 or DSM-5-TR) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
  • It is not listed as a distinct code in the ICD-10 or ICD-11 (the international classification systems used for medical diagnosis and billing).
  • Major psychiatric and psychological organizations do not treat “hoplophobia” as an official diagnostic term.

How Fear of Firearms *Can* Be Diagnosed:

A clinically significant, irrational fear of guns or weapons *could* meet the criteria for a **Specific Phobia** (DSM-5 code 300.29; ICD-10 F40.2). Specific phobia is a real, recognized anxiety disorder. Diagnosis requires:

  • Marked, persistent fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation (here, firearms).
  • The fear is out of proportion to the actual danger.
  • Immediate anxiety response when the object is encountered or anticipated.
  • Active avoidance or endurance with intense distress.
  • Significant impairment in daily functioning.
  • Duration of at least 6 months.
  • Symptoms not better explained by another mental disorder.

In practice, a clinician would diagnose “Specific Phobia, situational type” (or a similar descriptor) and note the fear of firearms in the clinical record. They would not typically write “hoplophobia” as the diagnosis.

Evidence of Clinical Cases

There are **no well-documented, peer-reviewed clinical case studies** in the medical literature that formally diagnose patients with “hoplophobia” as a distinct entity. Searches of medical databases (such as PubMed) turn up essentially nothing under that term. A few non-peer-reviewed sources and opinion pieces (often written from a pro-gun perspective) claim the condition exists and is treatable, but these do not constitute formal clinical recognition or systematic diagnostic evidence.

In short: while an extreme, impairing fear of firearms can be clinically valid and treated under the umbrella of specific phobia, “hoplophobia” itself remains a non-clinical, largely rhetorical term rather than an established medical diagnosis.

There seems to be some room under the diagnosis of “specific phobia” that would enable a clinician of mental disorders to apply treatment for the disorder to the individual in the video and for others of extreme fear.

24 Jul 2026 by Comrades in Arms Firearms Notions Second Amendment Whacko Politics 0

Goldfinch Feeder

Finches at the feeder

This is one of our two Nyjer Seed Finch Feeders in the back yard. They are mounted on a crook which is staked into the ground.

Note that the seed level is at about three-quarters full. I took this photo less than 24 hours since I filled the feeders to the top. Clearly, the Nyjer Seeds are very popular with the finches.

We get a couple of species of finch that visit the feeders: House Finches and Goldfinches.

I asked GROK about the birds in this photo:

These are Lesser Goldfinches (Spinus psaltria), a very common and delightful visitor to nyjer (thistle) feeders in Arizona.

Quick Breakdown of the Birds in Your Photo:

  • Bottom left (brightest one): Adult male Lesser Goldfinch. You can clearly see the diagnostic solid black cap, bright lemon-yellow underparts, and black wings with bold white wingbars/patches. This is the classic look for males in breeding plumage.
  • Bottom right: Likely a female or immature/juvenile. Females are duller overall (more olive-yellow) with less contrast, no full black cap, and subtler wing markings.
  • Top right (on the side): Another bird in a more olive/grayish-green plumage, typical of females or younger birds.
  • There’s also a partially visible bird behind the feeder on the left that appears to have streaked brown tones, possibly another finch or a different visitor.

Lesser Goldfinches are one of the most frequent nyjer-seed specialists in the Southwest. They’re small, acrobatic, and often come in small flocks. In the high Sonoran Desert around Wickenburg, they’re year-round residents and love these tube-style finch feeders.

Camera Info:

  • Camera: Canon EOS Rebel SL3
  • Artist: Cap’n Bob (C) 07/18/2026
  • Exposure: 1/320 sec.
  • Aperture: F5.6
  • Speed: ISO 200
  • Focal Length: 180mm
  • Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
18 Jul 2026 by Arizona Critters Photography 0

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