I took this photo from the courtyard of one of our beavertail cacti. This one is along the side of the RV drive west of the house. At the time I took the picture, there was only one flower open. If you look, however, at the many buds on the many paddles, there will be a time soon when the flowers will be overwhelmingly the predominant feature on the cactus. Click on the image to enlarge.
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Some of the bulbs I keep in the courtyard planter are starting to have flowers. Today. this freesia opened up. I expect to have paperwhites and daffodils soon. I will also have amaryllis and hyacinth flowers to post soon. Click on the image to enlarge.
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I found this 3D image on the Astronomy Picture Of The Day today. You will need your free pair of 3D glasses to view properly. Sorry, no 2D image available. Click on the image to enlarge.
The panoramic stereo view is composed of images from the roving Curiosity’s Navcam taken at a rest stop during a 100 meter drive on Sol 548 (February 19). The 5.5 kilometer high peak of Mount Sharp, also known as Aeolis Mons, is on the horizon, its base a destination for Curiosity. In the foreground are rows of striated rocks along the Junda outcrop. Centered toward the south-southeast the scene spans 160 degrees.
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We took the dogs to the dog park today and they really liked it. We need to go more often now that the weather is getting nicer and winter is mostly gone.
When we got to the park, the little tub they keep there was empty, so I filled it up knowing full well that Beethoven would jump into the water. He actually did a couple of times.
We got out his little tub at home and will fill it for him this weekend since he likes to get in there on some of the warmer days coming up. Click on the image to enlarge.
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The flowering plum tree has been in our courtyard for three seasons now. This year, it seems that the flowers have arrived about a week earlier than last year. Maybe we can have some plum fruit this season. That would be nice. Click on the image to enlarge.
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We thought that the hummingbirds would migrate away from here for the winter, but they did not. I filled up the feeders with nectar which the hummers would drain away within a matter of a couple of days. I guess they are hardier than they look. This little guy was feasting on one of the two feeders hanging just outside of the screened-in patio just a couple of days ago. Click on the image to enlarge.
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The neighbors house is on a two-acre spread, most of which is natural desert flora and fauna. Among those is this nice Beavertail Cactus (opuntia basilaris) which just started displaying its beautiful bright pink flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
I took this photo of Verna taking the above photo. When she sees our Beavertails flowers opening, I’m sure she will post some nice close up cactus flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
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