Verna and Bob's Weblog

Critters

In the Garden

Tomato WormVerna’s garden in the courtyard recently became infested with tomato worms. She has one pot with tomato vines and two others with pepper plants. The worms like both types of vegetation and have been found in both planters.

As of today, four of the little beasties have been removed from the garden. The first of them she found was as big as my index finger. The others were smaller, but at least a couple of inches in length.

I photographed the worm in the lower image on the right just before Verna plucked off the infested branch and tossed it out toward the RV drive, the same treatment given the previous worms found. I figure one or more of the enterprising roadrunners that hang out near the house welcomed the nice juicy treats.

Click on either image to enlarge.

August 15, 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography Retirement

Relaxing After a Tedious Desert Crossing

Evening Dog Walk

The Mama and the Daddy took Cabela and me down to the dog park at the RV place. It was late in the evening but we got to have fun running around and being off the leash for a while.

The Daddy took this picture of me and the Mama walking down the street before we got to the dog park. The Mama liked the colors in the sky. Click on the image to enlarge.

August 7, 2015 by Critters Family Vacation

Goldfinch on Red Bird of Paradise

Goldfinch on Red Bird of Paradise

A curious goldfinch perched on one of the racemes growing on the red bird of paradise shrubs in the courtyard. Sort of like a yellow bird on a red bird.

The finch was probably attracted to the feeder I have just outside of the courtyard wall, but was momentarily distracted by the flower bearing shoots. It perched on several before lighting on this one. Shortly after this photo was taken, the finch returned to the feeder.

July 29, 2015 by Arizona Critters Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Protecting the Orange Tree

Orange Tree Screen

Verna’s little orange tree sapling has been doing fairly well since being almost completely destroyed last summer. There is a lot of new growth coming out, but lately, the little squirrels and rabbits have been helping themselves to the tender new leaves.

I went on-line last week looking for screened enclosures that would keep critters away from the little orange tree. I found this ‘kit’ of tubes, plastic joints and a net for sale, so I bought it.

This afternoon, I put it together and with Verna’s help we covered the tree. The netting has some shortcomings since it fails to cover the frame, but we stretched it in places and used some of the many rocks on the property to shore up the places that needed to be reinforced.

If I were to give up to five stars approval of the product, it would only get three. When the netting fails (and it will) I plan to use some wire mesh to cover the sides and top in place of the netting. I’ll post on that eventuality when it occurs.

July 16, 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden

Juvenile Cardinal

Juvenile Cardinal

I think this is an immature cardinal. It appears to have some baby feathers still lingering at the top of its legs. The beak is black, not orange and the face feathers are just starting to turn black like an adult male. The red chest feathers are coming in.

There were two of these hanging around the bird feeders today. Click on the image to enlarge.

July 1, 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Handsome Bay Bay

Handsome Bay Bay

This is my Bay Bay, a Mama’s boy if there ever was one. Most of the time in the house, he follows me around to make sure that he knows what I’m doing and that I’m OK. He is a very protective little guy and we have a mutual love for each other.

One of the things he likes to do is go out on the patio with Bob. He jumps up on the spa cover and watches for killer jackrabbits and such. Bob took this photo of him this afternoon while he was intently watching for critters. Click on the image to enlarge.

June 30, 2015 by Arizona Critters Family Photography

Avalon 1998

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