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The Curve Billed Thrasher Nest

Nest Caretaker

We peeked in the Curve Billed Thrasher nest in the cholla cactus in front of our courtyard a few days ago and were delighted to see several chicks had hatched. I took this photo of one of the parents tending the nest as it was getting ready to depart to forage for more food for the hatchlings.

There has been a nest in this cactus and little thrashers have hatched every year since we have been here. This year, the nest is almost inaccessible to our camera as it is buried deep within the spiked arms of the cholla.

May 12, 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

The New Flagpole

The New Flagpole

After the new flagpole was installed, we had to wait a few days for the silver paint to dry and cure. When the pole was ready, we put up the American Flag with the Arizona Banner under that.

I took this photo of the flags as seen from the courtyard a couple of days ago when the wind was just right. They look great!

Click on the image to enlarge.

May 5, 2015 by Arizona Home & Garden

Red Bird of Paradise Spring Revival

Red Birds Growth

Every November, our Red Bird of Paradise shrubs go dormant and we cut them down to just a few inches above the soil. Each April or May, they start their comeback. We have three of the Red Bird shrubs in the courtyard that have been there for four years now.

Two of the three started their revival a couple of weeks ago. At the lower left, is the west side of the courtyard shrub, at the right is the center and the top is the eastern shrub. You can see that the two on the bottom have a good start on revival, but the top one has only one tiny bipinnate leaf pair, which we hope is revival and not a weed.

In a few weeks, we should have our first bright Red Bird of Paradise flowers. We should be getting them all summer long. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 4, 2015 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

Lawyer’s Tongue Cactus Flower

Lawyer’s Tongue Cactus Flower

This is a flower that opened today on our “Lawyer’s Tongue” cactus near the west edge of the lot. Although this cactus was started from a rescued paddle that we picked up off the ground at a local park in town, it can be considered natural native vegetation to this area since there are many others of this variety of prickly pear cactus growing within walking distance from here.

This cactus originated from a paddle small enough to fit in a red solo cup. I planted it in a pot filled with local soil and within two years it had sprouted enough paddles that I had to put it into the ground. It is now over three feet tall and has numerous more paddles that will continue to produce flowers and fruit and more paddles as this cactus grows. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 1, 2015 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Saguaro Buds

Saguaro Buds

Everybody loves spring, including us. The “big guy” saguaro out front loves spring so much that it is budding up like never before. The large bud near the center of the image above will likely open up in May while the smaller bud to the right may not open until June.

This cactus was transplanted here from our friend’s place in Aguila, about 25 miles west of here along US 60. The same guys that planted the original “big guy” planted the new one in August of 2012 and it has been healthy and happy since.

The cactus has had flowers for the two spring seasons in 2013 and 2014. This year looks to be no exception other than maybe having many more flowers than in the previous two years. Click on the image to enlarge.

April 28, 2015 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Avalon 1998

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