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Thrasher Nest’s Natural Defenses

Cactus Nest

For the third year in a row (that we know of), the curve billed thrashers have built a nest in the buckhorn cholla cactus in front of our house. We discovered three eggs in the nest a few days ago.

The nest is in the inhospitable-looking cholla cactus, buried deeply between the branches of sharp needles. Egg predators like snakes and rodents are severely handicapped by the harsh spines. That, and we have personally seen thrashers defend their territory by attacking a gopher snake in our yard, running it off by pecking at its tail as it slithers off to the desert underbrush.

I took this photo today holding the camera above the cholla and pointing it down toward the cup-shaped nest embedded below the needles. Click on the image to enlarge.

March 18, 2015 by Arizona Critters Photography

Echinocereus Pollinator

Echinocereus Pollinator

The hedgehog cactus out front is in bloom. The bees are taking advantage of that fact by browsing the colorful flowers. Click on the image to enlarge flower and bee.

I managed this shot from about 20 feet away from the cactus with the Canon SL1 using the 75-300mm telephoto lens. F7, ISO 100, 1/500 exposure, 300mm focal length. I sure like my new camera.

March 16, 2015 by Arizona Critters Flowers Home & Garden Photography

New Friend at the Dog Park

New Friend

This is Bay Bay and Cabela meeting and greeting “Cha Cha” who is a rare brown and white Boston terrier. Cha Cha was in the small part of the Wickenburg Dog Park just on the other side of the chain link fence from where our dogs were romping.

Cha Cha’s mom and dad are snowbirds from British Columbia who will be going home this weekend since the weather there is almost livable now that spring has sprung. We expect many more snowbirds to depart between now and Memorial Day, when our town’s roads and facilities will be more to our liking due to the decreased population in the late spring, summer and early fall.

Both of our dogs love the dog park and had a very good time today. Bay Bay got into the tub, as usual, and Cabela romped and sniffed and did whatever she wanted until it was time to go home.

March 13, 2015 by Critters Family Retirement

Sunspot 2297

Sunspot 2297

I read that a large sunspot was transiting the solar globe, so I went out to the courtyard and shot a few images of the sun with the Canon SL1 and my cheapie Rainbow Symphony Solar Filter. While I can’t match the resolution of fancier equipment or space-borne solar observation platforms, I did manage to resolve the spot well enough to perceive the shadowy smaller parts of the group.

The camera settings were as follows: F8.0, focal length 300mm, 1/2500 sec., ISO 6400, Manual Program. Photo taken 2015-03-10 09:27:42 MST. The image has been derotated to an angle where ecliptic north is approximately up. Click on the image to enlarge.

March 11, 2015 by Nerdliness Photography Something Shiny

Wall Construction 3D

Wall Construction 3D

The masonry crew completed the basic construction of the front wall today. We walked out front after the workers went home where I snapped two images of the work-in-progress portion of the radius that turns up the RV drive-to-be. The retention wall should deflect most of the runoff from up the RV drive and from the higher elevation hills to the west. Click on the image to enlarge.

You will need your free pair of 3D glasses to view the image (click image to enlarge). As usual, I have posted a 2D version here

March 10, 2015 by Arizona Bob's 3D Stuff

Wall Construction Underway

RV Drive Wall

The masonry crew staged all the blocks yesterday for the three walls we’re going to build on the property. Today, they started on the construction of the wall behind the RV drive.

When the walls are finished, they will be stuccoed and painted to match the color of the house. The wall in the image will be three feet high, the wall in the wash to divert runoff will be four feet high and the wall in front of the house and along the lower part of the RV drive will be two feet high with raised portions to match the courtyard wall and the southwestern territorial style of the house.

It’s gonna be nice when we finish all the masonry and concrete. The whole job should be complete by the end of March. Click on the image to enlarge.

March 5, 2015 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

Avalon 1998

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