Verna and Bob's Weblog

May 2015

Tomatoes Coming Soon

Tomatoes Coming Soon

My tomato vine in the courtyard garden has had several tomato blossoms, one of which produced this one-inch green tomato. I am hoping that there were be several of these growing on the vine soon.

I have had varying success with growing vegetables in the courtyard; some of the plants simply fail in the desert conditions, while others are eaten by varmints like squirrels and rabbits. With the new courtyard gate at the rear of the wall separating the yard from the rest of the property, I am hoping that the pest problem will be minimized.

We shall see. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 31, 2015 by Arizona Food and Dining Home & Garden Retirement

Filling the Spa

Filling the Spa

Now that virtually all of the dust-generating construction is complete, we decided to fill up the spa for the summer season. In the image above, the water level is nearing the three hundred gallon level, which is the nominal capacity.

This year, we’re using salt, rather than chlorine, as the clarifying agent. Salt is composed of sodium and chlorine, but the odor and harshness of the agent is eliminated.

May 30, 2015 by Arizona Leisure Retirement

A Juvenile Cardinal

A Juvenile Cardinal

This little guy was feeding on seeds from the bird block and bell we have up on the hill behind the RV drive. This photo is of him on the ground under the feeders as he crushes seeds in his beak. Click on the image to enlarge.

There seems to be several pair of reproducing cardinals in and around the vicinity of our house. Wikipedia cites the Northern Cardinal as being of the least concern when it comes to endangered species. It is estimated that there are more than 100 million individual cardinals in their North American range of over 2.2 million square miles.

May 28, 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbird Feeder

I went out behind the patio and was immediately greeted by this hummingbird gathering nectar from one of Verna’s feeders. It didn’t seem to be disturbed by my presence because it repeatedly poked its beak into the little yellow plastic blossoms on the feeder.

The feeders are recent replacements for the old plastic ones which became quite weather worn in our harsh desert environment. The new feeders (other than plastic blossoms) are all glass and metal construction and should last longer than the ones we had before.

The Canon SL1 photo parameters: F6.3, 1/4000 sec, ISO 1000, 300mm Focal Length. The bird was approximately fifteen feet away.

May 27, 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Bishop’s Cap Flowers

Bishop’s Cap Flowers

Only three this time (I think the record is 20), but they’re as pretty as ever. Click on the image to enlarge.

This cactus started in a two-inch plastic pot and we purchased it in Chandler, AZ, way before we decided to move to Arizona, about eighteen years ago. This is for sure the oldest member of our cactus collection now that we’re living here.

Some of our old cactus collection were lost when we sold the California place, but we’re planning on replacing those with new cacti as we continue to refine our Arizona courtyard and rock garden. One day at a time, we’re getting things done.

May 26, 2015 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Hawk in the Mesquite Tree

Hawk in the Mesquite Tree

I think that this might be a Cooper’s Hawk that briefly perched in the mesquite tree next to the bird feeders. This hawk, like all hawks, is an opportunistic hunter of small prey including birds that might be feeding in our back yard.

I noticed the bird in the tree when I was in the dining area. I went for my camera and managed to get this shot of the hawk from a distance of about 25 feet. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 24, 2015 by Arizona Critters Photography

Avalon 1998

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