We thought that the hummingbirds would migrate away from here for the winter, but they did not. I filled up the feeders with nectar which the hummers would drain away within a matter of a couple of days. I guess they are hardier than they look. This little guy was feasting on one of the two feeders hanging just outside of the screened-in patio just a couple of days ago. Click on the image to enlarge.
This is one of several beavertail cacti that we transplanted from the hill behind our house to various places around the landscape. This one, the largest of the cacti, has sprouted new flower buds and cactus paddle buds. We should be getting some flowers on this one pretty soon, maybe in less than a month from now.
The desert weather has been just gorgeous here for the past several days and is forecast to stay nice until the next rain or cool air comes through. For the time being, we’ll take the 80 degree days and mild nights. Click on the image to enlarge.
I wandered around our little patch of desert this morning taking photos. I captured pictures of cacti, critters, rock garden, etc.
My original purpose was to get up on the hill out back and take pictures of the top of the RV to see if there would be any problems installing the new cover we ordered for it. It looks like there are no objects to adversely impact the installation.
The slideshow leads off with “the big guy,” our saguaro cactus out front, followed by Verna’s rock and cactus garden, one of the hidden hedgehog cacti up on the hill, a view of our neighbor’s house on the hill across the little wash, quail and a squirrel snacking on critter crunch, a compass barrel cactus on the hill, beavertail prickly pear cactus in the landscape cover, a place on the hill under a palo verde tree, a desert lizard and another hedgehog in the river rock landscape cover.
We’re anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring and the wonderful desert flowers it brings. This is a slideshow from last year showing several of our beautiful, colorful flowers. This reminds us of how much we like seeing spring unfold and looking to the summer season as well.
I went up on the hill behind the RV drive today to hang up Verna’s bird feeders. While I was up there, this little white tailed antelope ground squirrel came out of the underbrush and seemed to be begging for a handout. I obliged the little guy and tossed a few seeds his way which he immediately consumed right on the spot. Click on the image to enlarge.
For most of January, we have enjoyed warmer daytime temperatures, like in the high 60’s and low 70’s. It is still quite possible for winter to hit here again, but we’re enjoying “faux spring” in the meantime. Some of the cacti on the lot also seem to be responding to the warm trend.
I was up on the hill behind the RV drive hanging the bird feeders that Verna refilled this afternoon. I walked over to inspect some of the buckhorn cholla cacti because I saw some cactus wrens and a couple of curve billed thrashers hanging around them. I thought I might see evidence of a nest or two being built, but all I saw was some new buds starting to appear on the cholla. Verna reminded me later that the cholla on the hill always seem to get flowers sooner than the ones down on the front of the lot. Click on the image to enlarge.
