Critters

Some Back Yard Photos

I had the camera out this morning (as I do most mornings) and snapped some of the fauna and flora regularly seen in our back yard. Between Verna and I, we take a lot of pictures, especially at events like yesterday’s Car Show and Fly-In. Nothing below as exciting as all that, but we enjoy seeing this stuff almost every day.

First up is a photo of one of our local White Tailed Antelope Squirrels begging for me to toss an almond to it (which I did).

Next up is a Lesser Goldfinch at the Nyger seed feeder. It appears the bird has something other than a seed in its beak. I am unable to determine what it is, but the bird went back to getting seeds after I took the photo.

Now for some of the still life – this is the tippy top of one of our Buckhorn Cholla Cacti in the area. You don’t want to get too close to these “jumping cholla” balls. Trust me.

And, last for this bunch is a close-up of one cane of an Ocotillo in the yard. These are not true cacti, but as you can see, the thorns mean business. This cane and others on the Ocotillos in the yard still have some leaves after the rains this early winter.

As usual, you may click on any image to see it enlarged in the viewer.

OK, so that’s it for this series of photos. I now have a pretty good collection of lenses for my camera, and I will be experimenting with some of them and posting from time to time.

January 18, 2026 by Bob Arizona Critters Photography 0

FotoFutz

Fotofutz is a made-up word to describe my latest reinterest in photography and the associated equipment. So, here are a couple of new images taken this morning:

The first image (above) is of the sky to the southeast of our place here in Arizona around 9AM. there were lots of clouds with a few holes skyward. I used a stopped-down ISO and Shutter speed to get the image without over exposing the bright sunlit clouds.

This image I call “Sparrows” since those are what are perched on the withering rosemary bush atop our back yard near the feeders. The birds flushed shortly after I captured the photo. The image was taken with my venerable Canon SL3 camera and the everyday lens I use – the Canon EF-s 55-250mm telephoto. This lens is handy for getting close-ups of the critters that populate our fair and tranquil spot of Arizona. Click on both images to view enlarged.

January 8, 2026 by Bob Arizona Climate Critters Nerdliness Photography 0

New Javelina Crossing Sign

The sign was originally installed in June of 2012, but time and the fact the original sign was plastic, it deteriorated and finally came off the post. Verna ordered the new metallic sign which I installed a couple of days ago. Click on the image to enlarge.

The Early Squirrel Gets The Nut

In the title, I paraphrased the 17th century proverb to describe the morning activity of the little White Tailed Antelope Ground Squirrels that inhabit the area around our little house. I usually carry a few almonds in my shirt pocket to toss out to the squirrels when they are brave enough to come out looking for a handout, which is more often than you might think.

This morning, the little guy in the image above was out of the burrow and into the open area in the wash behind the house to receive the nut that I tossed out for him (her?). I usually can’t tell unless a female that is nursing the little ones stands erect and I can see her teats exposed.

The one shown was the only taker this morning, although, on occasion, several might show up. I carry several almonds and can usually throw enough for all that want them.

Image: taken with my Canon EOS Rebel SL3, Normal Program, 1/500sec, F8, ISO 100, EF-S55-250MM Lens @ 250MM, cropped.

October 4, 2025 by Bob Arizona Critters Photography

Cactus Wren

One of our favorite local birds, the Cactus Wren, perches next to the seed block feeder in the back yard. Click on the image to view enlarged.

From the link above:

The Cactus Wren is a large chunky wren with a long heavy bill, a long, rounded tail, and short, rounded wings. The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in the United States and is similar in size to a Spotted Towhee.

The Cactus Wren is a speckled brown bird with bright white eyebrows that extend from the bill, across and above their red eyes, to the sides of the neck. They have pale cinnamon sides and a white chest with dark speckles. The back is brown with heavy white streaks, and the tail is barred white and black—especially noticeable from below. Males and females look alike, but juveniles are slightly paler and have a brown eye.

Unlike other wrens that typically hide in vegetation, the Cactus Wren seems to have no fear. They perch atop cacti and other shrubs to announce their presence and forage out in the open. They do not cock their tails over their back the way other wrens do. Instead they fan their tail feathers, flashing white tail tips.

August 29, 2025 by Bob Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography Retirement

Saguaro Propagation

If I understand the propagation of the Saguaro Cacti in the southwest correctly, the seeds in the fruit are eaten by various critters and deposited along with bird waste randomly in the desert, where a young cactus may eventually grow.

In any case, I photographed this Curve Billed Thrasher dining on some of the fruit on the big saguaro in our yard today. Click on either image to enlarge in the image viewer.