Verna and Bob's Weblog

Arizona

Blackhawk Soaring

Blackhawk Soaring

This is a blackhawk that I saw soaring over the hills this afternoon. These birds are similar in size to turkey vultures. Blackhawks mostly have the same underside markings as the vultures, giving them some advantage in catching their prey. Vultures are numerous and almost always overhead looking for carrion. Small birds and animals have nothing to fear from vultures, which only scavenge dead critters. If the live critter sees a blackhawk, it could mistake it for a turkey vulture, therefore giving the bird of prey an advantage.

July 19, 2012 by Arizona Critters Photography

Cimmaron Sage Flowers

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The Cimarron Sage shrubs along the driveway have many of these colorful sage blossoms after the rain last week. Click on the image to enlarge.

Delange has more:

Cimarron Dwarf Sage

Leucophyllum zygophyllum, Figwart Family: ( Scrophulariaceae ), Cimarron Dwarf Sage: Also called; Blue Ranger ‘Cimarron’ Sage, Blue Texas Ranger.

Leucophyllum langmaniae is an evergreen shrub and it is the smallest of the Leucophyllum`s. It has gray – green, cup-shaped leaves with masses of blue – purple flowers that bloom intermittently throughout the summer.

Height: Up To 3 feet tall and wide. But, we have seen plants almost six feet tall in the wild.
Flowers: Cup shaped lavender flowers.
Blooming Time: March to November. Bloom best after summer monsoon rains.
Leaves: Oblong to oblanceolate gray-green leaves up to 3 inches long.
Found: Native to the Chihuahuan Desert. Northern Mexico.
Elevation: 0 – 3,800 Feet.
Habitat: Sandy desert soils, hot, sunny areas, good drainage, to 3,800 feet’.

July 17, 2012 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Zebra-Tailed Lizard

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I took this photo of a Zebra-Tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides) in our back yard yesterday.

From Wikipedia:

They range in size from 2.5 to 4 inches in length. They rise early and are active in all but the hottest weather. During the hottest times of day, lizards may stand alternately on two legs, switching to the opposite two as needed in a kind of dance. When threatened they will run swiftly with their toes curled up and tails raised over their backs exposing the stripes. They can even run on their hind legs for short distances. In areas of creosote scrub this lizard seems to reach highest densities, around 4.8 to 6.0 individuals per acre. This lizard burrows into fine sand for retreat at night and usually seeks day shelter in the shade of bushes.

Click on the image to enlarge.

July 15, 2012 by Arizona Critters Photography

Saguaros

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The landscaper sent us this picture from his property in Aguila, about 25 miles west of here on US 60. He had been promising to replace our giant saguaro that collapsed last summer. One of these will eventually be planted in front of the garage where the old one fell. Click on the image to enlarge.

July 14, 2012 by Arizona Home & Garden

A Classic Anvil Cloud

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In pilot training, we learn about the weather. The phenomenon known as “thunderstorms” is of special importance. Thunderstorms form very quickly and can be devastating to aircraft, regardless of size.

There are three stages to a thunderstorm: the cumulus stage, the mature stage, and the dissipating stage. In the cumulus stage, air rises up to form the billowy white clouds. In the mature stage, up and downdrafts in and beneath the clouds carry moisture aloft and then downward as rain or hail. In the dissipating stage, predominantly downdrafts cause the rain to taper off and the clouds to spread out on the tops, forming what meteorologists call an anvil cloud.

I took this image of an anvil cloud today, while we were walking the dogs along the road in front of the house. Click on the image to enlarge.

July 12, 2012 by Arizona Climate Photography

Avalon 1998

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