Verna and Bob's Weblog

Climate

Shorts Weather Again

Shorts WeatherExcept for a few days when the weather involved a chance of rain and it was overcast, we have had a delightful January and February (thus far). The forecast calls for more warm days (in the 70’s) for the next week. Tuesday, prior to heading to the doctor down in Litchfield Park, Bob put on his shorts and T-shirt to cope with the few degrees warmer it gets down in the valley.

I took this photo of Bob and Cabela on the road that day. We were taking the dogs for their last run before leaving them “home alone” for the few hours it would take to get down to the valley, have the appointment with the doctor and the drive back home. Fortunately, one of the doctor’s staff told us about the opening of the new SR 303 Loop all the way to the road near the medical plaza. We made good time having avoided the traffic and all the signals on Grand Avenue and Litchfield Road. Click on the image to enlarge.

The best part of the trip to the doctor was having him give Bob a clean bill of health and, after from one more minor procedure on Friday, will relieve us of the constraints that have limited our ability to doing some recreational travel. YAY!

February 19, 2014 by Apparel Arizona Climate Family Retirement

Winter Sundown

Winter Sundown

This was the view from the RV drive just after sunset this evening. Today marks the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox and that means that we are in the “dead” of winter. Thankfully, that is still quite a mild condition here in our beautiful Arizona home. Click on the image to enlarge.

February 3, 2014 by Arizona Climate Photography Retirement

Early Spring Cholla Buds

Buds

For most of January, we have enjoyed warmer daytime temperatures, like in the high 60’s and low 70’s. It is still quite possible for winter to hit here again, but we’re enjoying “faux spring” in the meantime. Some of the cacti on the lot also seem to be responding to the warm trend.

I was up on the hill behind the RV drive hanging the bird feeders that Verna refilled this afternoon. I walked over to inspect some of the buckhorn cholla cacti because I saw some cactus wrens and a couple of curve billed thrashers hanging around them. I thought I might see evidence of a nest or two being built, but all I saw was some new buds starting to appear on the cholla. Verna reminded me later that the cholla on the hill always seem to get flowers sooner than the ones down on the front of the lot. Click on the image to enlarge.

January 27, 2014 by Arizona Climate Home & Garden Photography

Sky Bow

Sky Bow

When I took the dogs out for their first run this morning, I thought I heard an airplane going over. I didn’t see a plane, but I was astonished at the sight of a rainbow in the clouds overhead. The sun is out of the bottom frame in the image above. I can’t remember seeing a rainbow arc away from the sun until today. Click on the image to enlarge.

Update: I uploaded the image to SpaceWeather.com and found out that this is a circumzenithal arc:

The circumzenithal arc, CZA, is the most beautiful of all the halos. The first sighting is always a surprise, an ethereal rainbow fled from its watery origins and wrapped improbably about the zenith. It is often described as an “upside down rainbow” by first timers. Someone also charmingly likened it to “a grin in the sky”.

Look straight up near to the zenith when the sun is fairly low and especially if sundogs are visible. The center of the bow always sunwards and red is on the outside.

January 21, 2014 by Arizona Climate Photography Something Shiny

A Beautiful and Warm Winter Day

Casita Casandro

We are enjoying a streak of mild weather conditions here in our little desert town. Highs in the low-to-mid 70’s and lows well above freezing. It should continue into the weekend and beyond. We’ll take it! Click on the image to enlarge.

January 17, 2014 by Arizona Climate Retirement

Avalon 1998

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