Verna and Bob's Weblog

Arizona

“Hunter” Moonrise

Desert Hunter Full Moon Rising

Tonight’s full moon is the traditional Hunter’s Moon.

This is the full moon that immediately follows the Harvest Moon. Historically, because the fields had already been reaped under the harvest light, hunters could easily spot deer, foxes, and other animals coming out to glean the remaining stubble, helping them stock up on meat and provisions ahead of the winter months.

The photo I took from the courtyard turned out wonderful! The high contrast against the twilight sky and the silhouettes of the saguaro, ocotillo, and desert trees frame the bright Hunter’s Moon perfectly. Click on the image to enlarge.

October 25, 2026 by Arizona Astronomy Photography 0

Rachel Rain

We have been getting rain from the tropical depression Rachel on and off since yesterday afternoon with some heavy showers. I took the above photo from our front door at about 10:48 AM during some of the moderate rainfall.

It has also been quite windy with perceived gusts of up to 35mph or so. So far, the worst has just been mild flooding which quickly runs off into the Casandro wash just south of our location. I expect that the catch basin behind Casandro Dam is getting quite a bit of runoff from the wash west and southwest of us.

Thus far, we are high and dry inside our little home in the desert. We don’t expect any of the really heavy stuff which, according to the radar map, is west and northwest of us along the Colorado River basin.

Yet He [God] has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
— Acts 14:17 (NIV)

October 11, 2026 by Arizona Climate 0

Harvest Moon

2026 Harvest Moon

Tonight’s full moon is the “Harvest Moon” of lore. At this time of year, the moon rises rapidly into the fading twilight, thus providing extra illumination for farmers to bring in the sheaves or whatever. For us, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in the evening as the moon rises high and casts Moonshadows.

The tranquility of our desert place and the peace we enjoy is a major benefit with which the Lord has endowed us. Praise God Almighty.

Camera: Canon R10 mirrorless with 100-400mm lens.

September 26, 2026 by Arizona Astronomy Photography

Dueling Cameras

Dueling Cameras

We were out taking photos of various things around the house and yard when we both stopped to photograph each other photographing each other. The composite photo above (click to enlarge) is the result.

She used her Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR with the EF 15-135mm lens and I used my Canon R10 Mirrorless with the newly acquired RF 24-240mm wide angle to telephoto lens. We both get pretty good finished products.

A couple of the photos we took – Her first:

Ocotillo

Turkey Buzzard

And mine:

Devil’s Tongue Cactus Flowers

Lemon Ripening

September 24, 2026 by Arizona Nerdliness Photography

2026 Autumnal Equinox

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

Astronomical autumn begins at 00:05 UTC on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 — that’s 5:05 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Tuesday, September 22 here in Arizona. As you may know, most of Arizona stays on MST year around. Some of the reservations still do DST.

May this fall find y’all to be happy and healthy as we transition to our cooler months. God bless!

Verna and Bob 💖💖

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
—2 Corinthians 13:14

September 22, 2026 by Arizona Astronomy

Cinchweed

Lately, these little weeds with yellow flowers have been popping up all around our area. I got curious as to what they were, so I asked Grok, which came up with the following:

These are cinchweed (also called manybristle cinchweed), Pectis papposa.

It’s a native Sonoran Desert annual that germinates quickly after summer monsoon rains and often appears in abundance among rocks and gravel in September. The small yellow daisy heads (typically 8–15 mm across) sit in clusters at the ends of forked stems, and the leaves are narrow and linear—exactly as in your photo. Crush a leaf and you’ll usually get a lemon or spicy scent from the oil glands.

It is common around Wickenburg and throughout the mid-elevation Sonoran Desert on rocky slopes, washes, and open ground. The plants are short-lived and will fade once cooler, drier weather arrives.

Since they aren’t much of a nuisance, we will let them do their thing before they fade away in a few weeks. Click on the image above to enlarge.

September 12, 2026 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Avalon 1998

Categories

Archives