I snapped this photo about 500 feet east of our house just as we were pulling onto the pavement headed to do some shopping. It was another lovely Arizona day with temperatures in the low 70’s and clear with mostly blue skies. Click on the image to enlarge.
I was replacing the bird seed bell and block up on the hill behind the RV drive, when this bold little white-tailed antelope ground squirrel (ammospermophilus leucurus) came up to within a few feet of me. It seemed to beg for some of the bird seed, so I spilled a few seeds on the ground which it promptly consumed. We see a lot of these around the yard and they, along with cottontails and jackrabbits, drive the dogs nuts. We keep our distance, however, since these cute little guys have been known to carry harmful diseases.
Wikipedia details more about these squirrels:
The white-tailed antelope squirrel, Ammospermophilus leucurus, is a diurnal species of ground squirrel found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and the Baja California Peninsula of northwestern Mexico.
This species of squirrel has an average home range of 14.9 acres, and utilizes approximately 4 acres in its daily activities.
Ammospermophilus leucurus is omnivorous, feeding primarily on foliage (10%-60% of its diet), seeds (20%-50%), arthropods, and to a lesser extent, vertebrates (mainly lizards and rodents; predatory behavior by ground squirrels has been noted).
Now that the daytime temperatures are regularly below 70° and the nighttime temperatures are going below 40°, it’s time to winterize the patio spa. I took one last dip in it today only to get out of the 100° tub and feel the 66° chill before toweling off and going into the house.
We will drain the tub and evacuate the water from the tub and the jets this weekend. We look forward to spring when we refill the spa and get ready for another spring/summer/second spring/early fall season in the spa. Click on the image to enlarge.
We enjoyed this colorful sunset the other night from our courtyard. I love the variety of colors in the sky. Click on the image to enlarge.
When the Daddy isn’t using his office chair, I figure it’s fair game for me to curl up in it and relax or take a nap. Sometimes, though, the Daddy will come back in the office and make me jump out to find another place to relax. Oh well, I still love the hoomins, both the Mama and the Daddy. They give me treats. 🙂 Click on my picture to make me big.
I went out back to test my big camera since I haven’t used it in a while. We have a road trip coming up and I wanted to make sure it was working OK. Just as I pointed it up to where the seed bell and block are located, a female Gambel’s Quail hopped on the block and posed. A cactus wren has it’s backside pointed at the camera on the seed bell located just below the block. Click on the image to enlarge.
