Critters

Spring Song

This 10 second video is of a Curve-Billed Thrasher singing what sounds like a mating call. It’s not the usual loud “weee-weet-tweet” that we hear during other times of the year. Could it be that we’re getting an early spring about four weeks ahead of schedule? The forecast for our part of Arizona calls for 80° temperatures by the weekend.

AS you can see from the video, holding the camera steady at 250mm zoom is difficult without a bi- or tripod. I made this video today with my Canon EOS Rebel SL3 and the EF 55-250mm lens. I am still experimenting with and getting used to making videos with the Canon camera.

Bird Feeders

This morning, I went up on the little hill behind the RV Drive to replenish the various birdseed feeders we have up there. The feeders attract birds and other wildlife to the small area of natural, unimproved desert. We enjoy seeing the varieties of critters that come around.

Whilst on the hill after the replenishments, I took photos of our feeders with the Camera Phone*. These are listed below along with the photos.

First up is the “Pagoda;” it hangs in the mesquite tree up on the hill:

Next, is the “Rotunda” which also hangs in the mesquite with an elongated “S” hook on one of the branches:

Our biggest bird feeder is the “Bird Church” hanging in the same tree from a short “S” hook:

The Nyjer Seed Feeders hang from a double crook toward the front (house side) of the hill:

Finally, the Seed Wheel, the Block and the Bell feeders are on another crook a bit further back from the house”

Click on any image to enlarge.

*The phone camera is a Samsung S23.

February 16, 2025 by Bob Arizona Critters Photography Retirement 0

Antelope Squirrel

The complete name of this species is “White Tailed Antelope Ground Squirrel” (Ammospermophilus leucrus). I took this photo early today; the squirrel was going up the little hill on the west side of the property.

Several of the squirrels that hang around the yard have learned to approach us so they can get a reward — an almond (I carry several raw almonds in a pocket when outdoors). The squirrels will grab the nut and run off to their lair with it.

More squirrel stuff from NPS:

White tailed antelope ground squirrels Ammospermophilus leucrus are small in size and are sometimes confused with chipmunks. They are approximately 7.5 inches long from head to the tip of the tail and they weigh on average about 3.7 ounces. They also carry their food in pouches in the cheek. The female of this species has ten mammae, which is more than other antelope ground squirrel species, which have four to seven. Their range is the Great Basin to Baja California including parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Oregon.

Click on the image to view enlarged.

February 8, 2025 by Bob Arizona Critters Photography 0

More Bird Photos

First up is a female Cardinal perched in the mesquite tree by the bird feeders:

Next is a pair of sparrows on one of the feeders:

Let us not forget the ever-present Gambel’s Quail that are often seen, but extremely camera shy. This Male was enjoying some of the bird block in the feeder area this morning.

And, finally, is a desert bird that I don’t recognize as a regular around these parts – bigger than a sparrow, but smaller than a thrasher:

Click on any image to open the viewer.

February 5, 2025 by Bob Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography 0

It’s Tucker

Here I am posing for the Daddy’s Cameraphone with one of my play balls. This green one is almost too big for me to pick up, but I can do it anyway. The game I want the Daddy to play is “keep away,” where I growl and then run away with the ball. Sometimes I drop the ball and the Daddy throws it so I can chase it. And then play keep away some more.

I am almost four years old, I weigh about 12 pounds (5.4kg) and I am about 16 inches (40.6cm) long, not counting my tail. I look cuddly ’cause I am.

Clickable Image.

January 21, 2025 by Tucker Critters Family Photography

Backyard Critters

Over the past week or so, I have been playing with the new camera I bought to replace my old SL1 Canon. These are some of the backyard critters we see on a regular basis. All photos taken with the new camera, a Canon EOS Rebel SL3 with a EF55-250 lens, usually set to 250mm focal length. The camera mode setting is “P” which is the Program Mode function that selects appropriate settings automatically. Click on any image to enlarge in the image viewer.

Here are a couple of sparrows at one of the feeders: