Verna and Bob's Weblog

Goldfinch Feeder

Goldfinch Feeder

After some recent landscape cleanup work that removed several creosote bushes from the front of the property, I worried that the goldfinches wouldn’t have a place to queue up before coming to the goldfinch feeder in front of the courtyard. As luck would have it, when the new plum tree arrived on Friday, the finches immediately adopted it and have a good place to queue.

The image above is of one of the goldfinch customers visiting the feeder out front. Normally, there are up to a half dozen or more finches visiting the feeder simultaneously. Click on the image to enlarge.

January 11, 2015 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

The New Plum Tree


After we lost our little flowering plum tree to the monsoons last summer, we resolved to get a replacement for the tree. This time, it would have to be a more mature tree with a sturdier trunk.

Yesterday, the landscape guys brought the new (to us) tree and planted it in the spot where the little old one had been. The image above shows the tree being loaded over the courtyard wall into the hole the crew had dug for it. Click on the image to alternate between planting the tree and the finished project.

January 9, 2015 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

Playing With the New Camera

Handsome Bay Bay

I got myself a new Canon EOS Rebel SL1 camera as a late Christmas present to myself. I also bought the book “SL1 for Dummies” as a reference. I studied the text and began to find opportunities to hone my skills as a photographer like Verna already has for years.

I found that our little Beethoven is a willing subject for my ventures into the world of photojournalism. He is not intimidated by the camera and he (sometimes) poses at my verbal command. Cabela, not so much. She tries to bite the camera if I get it too close to her.

Bay Bay was on the spa cover in the back patio and posed while I took several photos of him using a camera mode and settings good for portraits, according the “Dummies” text. I liked this one that captures the details of his handsome little face while pleasantly blurring the background such as to draw the observer’s attention to the dog. Click on the image to enlarge.

January 7, 2015 by Critters Family Photography

Maintaining the Compost Heap

CompostingWhile still living in Torrance, we committed to composting as a way of manufacturing rich soil for Verna’s gardening. We brought that tradition with us to Arizona and keep a compost going behind our garage. We haven’t used any of the castings after nearly four years of keeping the heap going, but plan to do so very soon when planting for the spring.

I took this photo of Verna adding some flower petals to the bin while I was on the hill behind the house hanging bird feeders. I had my new camera and the telephoto lens with me and managed to get this shot of her as she was working at the bin.

Click on the image to enlarge.

January 2, 2015 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

Well, We Got Our Snow

Snow Angel

The forecast was for a possibility of snow today and did it snow. Wickenburg has not seen this much snow in 20 years according to town sources. Of course, we, having come here from California four years ago, were like kids with the fresh snow.

Verna got to use her snow hat that I wrote about yesterday. Click on the image to enlarge.

December 31, 2014 by Arizona Climate Home & Garden Photography

Avalon 1998

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