We’re still here. Verna and I were getting ready to go for our weekly grocery shopping and I set up the little camera for this shot out in the courtyard. Click to enlarge.
Photography
Fall Photos
We like to say when the autumnal equinox happens that we’re in “Second Spring.” The temperatures aren’t over 100 degrees like in the summertime, only reaching to 98 or 99. When the thermometer starts peaking at only in the 70’s, then Fall is finally here and second spring is over. That is likely to be around Halloween or after.
This time of year, we’re still seeing the Turkey Vultures (Buzzards to some) soaring overhead. I took this photo of a buzzard swooping low this morning.
Our “Devils Tongue” barrel cactus usually has its flower power in the fall. This is a close-up of one of the flowers surrounded by other flowers, flower buds and (below) cactus fruit ripening. Image courtesy of Cap’n Bob.
Click on either image to enlarge.
Memorial Day 2023
We spent the early part of this Holiday in remembrance of those who were unable to return from the battles that kept America a Free and Sovereign Republic. We also recognize that all of our battles aren’t necessarily out and out warfare in the classical sense. We have troubles domestically with those wishing to disarm and enslave us. Prepare accordingly.
Now, we will post some of the beautiful flowers that are opening daily in this late spring season in and around our Arizona home. Photo credits are both Verna and Bob. Click on the images to enlarge.
Cherry Red Cactus Flower Cluster:
Cactus flower of unknown species – a gift from our sister, BB:
A Fish Hook Cactus Flower:
A Flower Trio of Argentine Giant Cactus:
We hope you enjoyed your Holiday and our flower photos. Come back soon.
Photo Update — May 22, 2023
It’s been several weeks since we did a photo update. Here we are with Cabela and Tucker in the courtyard enjoying a nice spring day with the temperature up to about 97° which was the expected high.
For lunch, we enjoyed Cheeseburgers today with a cool adult beverage. We took a walk afterwards as well.
Image taken with my ancient Canon Powershot A710 IS using the delayed exposure timer. Click on the image to enlarge.
A New Cholla Cactus in 3D
Sometime last year, we noticed a small protrusion of what appeared to be new cactus growth under the red rocks that cover the ground around our house. Eventually, this winter, the cactus had evolved into a two-prong sprout with each prong measuring six to eight inches in length. As of the emergence of spring, the growth has really taken off virtually tripling the size of the little cactus.
I took a side-by-side image of the cactus and made it into the anaglyph seen above. Click on the image to enlarge.
If you don’t happen to have your 3D glasses handy, you may view the 2D image here.
Solar Astrophotography
In anticipation of the Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14, 2023, I got out the Canon SL1 camera and associated accessories to photograph the solar disk. I used the Canon EF 100-400mm along with a Thousand Oaks Optical threaded SolarLite® filter to get the (clickable) image above. I had to experiment with the camera settings to get the image and further had to adjust it using a photo processing app.
The setup resolved the solar disk and a couple or three sunspots currently visible; the two larger sunspot visible are 3297 and below that 3294. Those numbers are according to SpaceWeather.com.
As I mentioned above, I had to experiment with the camera settings a bit. Using the camera’s Programmed (P) setting, the images were overexposed. I switched to the shutter speed priority setting and tried several exposure times from 1/1000 second, 1/2000 second, and 1/4000 second. The latter, which is the fastest shutter speed on the camera, captured enough of the details needed to produce the image seen above and will certainly be good enough for the annular eclipse. For the total eclipse in April of 2024, it will be necessary to remove the attenuating filter during totality in order to capture the details of the solar limb and the spectacular appearance of the solar corona.
