Verna and Bob's Weblog

Critters

FotoFutz

Fotofutz is a made-up word to describe my latest reinterest in photography and the associated equipment. So, here are a couple of new images taken this morning:

The first image (above) is of the sky to the southeast of our place here in Arizona around 9AM. there were lots of clouds with a few holes skyward. I used a stopped-down ISO and Shutter speed to get the image without over exposing the bright sunlit clouds.

This image I call “Sparrows” since those are what are perched on the withering rosemary bush atop our back yard near the feeders. The birds flushed shortly after I captured the photo. The image was taken with my venerable Canon SL3 camera and the everyday lens I use – the Canon EF-s 55-250mm telephoto. This lens is handy for getting close-ups of the critters that populate our fair and tranquil spot of Arizona. Click on both images to view enlarged.

January 8, 2026 by Arizona Climate Critters Nerdliness Photography

The Early Squirrel Gets The Nut

In the title, I paraphrased the 17th century proverb to describe the morning activity of the little White Tailed Antelope Ground Squirrels that inhabit the area around our little house. I usually carry a few almonds in my shirt pocket to toss out to the squirrels when they are brave enough to come out looking for a handout, which is more often than you might think.

This morning, the little guy in the image above was out of the burrow and into the open area in the wash behind the house to receive the nut that I tossed out for him (her?). I usually can’t tell unless a female that is nursing the little ones stands erect and I can see her teats exposed.

The one shown was the only taker this morning, although, on occasion, several might show up. I carry several almonds and can usually throw enough for all that want them.

Image: taken with my Canon EOS Rebel SL3, Normal Program, 1/500sec, F8, ISO 100, EF-S55-250MM Lens @ 250MM, cropped.

October 4, 2025 by Arizona Critters Photography

Cactus Wren

One of our favorite local birds, the Cactus Wren, perches next to the seed block feeder in the back yard. Click on the image to view enlarged.

From the link above:

The Cactus Wren is a large chunky wren with a long heavy bill, a long, rounded tail, and short, rounded wings. The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in the United States and is similar in size to a Spotted Towhee.

The Cactus Wren is a speckled brown bird with bright white eyebrows that extend from the bill, across and above their red eyes, to the sides of the neck. They have pale cinnamon sides and a white chest with dark speckles. The back is brown with heavy white streaks, and the tail is barred white and black—especially noticeable from below. Males and females look alike, but juveniles are slightly paler and have a brown eye.

Unlike other wrens that typically hide in vegetation, the Cactus Wren seems to have no fear. They perch atop cacti and other shrubs to announce their presence and forage out in the open. They do not cock their tails over their back the way other wrens do. Instead they fan their tail feathers, flashing white tail tips.

August 29, 2025 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography Retirement

Saguaro Propagation

If I understand the propagation of the Saguaro Cacti in the southwest correctly, the seeds in the fruit are eaten by various critters and deposited along with bird waste randomly in the desert, where a young cactus may eventually grow.

In any case, I photographed this Curve Billed Thrasher dining on some of the fruit on the big saguaro in our yard today. Click on either image to enlarge in the image viewer.

June 28, 2025 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

A New Camera Lens

My 75-300mm telephoto lens disappeared mysteriously over the last year, basically since we went to view the total solar eclipse near Waco, Texas, last year. The lost lens may eventually turn up, since we’re not generally that lax with keeping and caring for our equipment, but (s-word) happens.

So, in the meantime, before (and if) the old lens shows up, we ordered a new telephoto lens for my Canon EOS Rebel T6i camera, namely a Canon EF100-300mm replacement for the lost lens. To be sure, the new lens is somewhat superior to the old one, since it is lighter, has less chromatic aberration and is more compact than the “lost” lens.

As a quick functional test of the newly received lens, the photo above was taken of a white winged dove that perched on the bird feeder crook in the back of the house. The photo above was taken through the new lens at about a range of fifteen yards and cropped down to feature the bird. Thankfully, there seems to be no signs of chromatic aberration and the bird’s features come through very well.

Now, if the old lens turns up, it will go to one of the local charitable foundations for resale in their thrift store. The new lens, will be available for more shots like this of wildlife or whatever presents itself as we continue to photograph the world around us, both at home and on the road.

June 4, 2025 by Arizona Critters Photography

Avalon 1998

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