We’re still learning about growing things in our desert garden. One thing we definitely learned is that critters will nibble on your plants. Peppers, however, are one delicacy they avoid. I have several peppers turning red on this Serrano chili pepper plant. Click on the image to enlarge.
Our little dog, Cabela, flushed this nasty-looking fellow from behind the compost bin today. She was about to investigate further (and probably would have been stung) but I held her away from the scorpion while I administered a stomp that ended the threat. It was still twitching a bit when I took the photo. Click on the image to enlarge.
At dusk last evening, a herd of javelina meandered down the road in front of our house. There are seven adults and two offspring in this photo. There may have been one or two more.
Image: Herd of javelina – click on the image to enlarge.
We were in the office and would have missed seeing them were it not for Cabela’s loud barking from the great room. Verna called to me to bring the camera. We went out into the courtyard where I snapped several photos. The herd then moved on down the road as they foraged for their evening meal.
The following is excerpted from Arizona Game and Fish Department page “Living with Javelina.”
Though some people think javelina are a type of wild pig, they are actually members of the peccary family, a group of hoofed mammals originating from South America. Javelina are common in much of central and southern Arizona, including the outskirts of the Phoenix area, most of Tucson, and occasionally as far north as Flagstaff. Javelina form herds of two to more than 20 animals and rely on each other to defend territory, protect against predators, regulate temperature and interact socially. They use washes and areas with dense vegetation as travel corridors. Javelina are most active at night, but they may be active during the day when it is cold.
Exactly one year ago today, we stopped at a rest stop along I-10 near Whitewater, CA, on our way back to the California House. The Arizona house would be scheduled to start construction in a couple of days, so this was a short visit before heading back to Arizona. I posted this story and image of a roadrunner we saw at the rest stop. We have seen several roadrunners at the Arizona house, but I have yet to capture an image of them.
We were at a rest stop today among Interstate 10 when this handsome road runner darted across the dog area. I guess it should be labeled “dog and road runner area.” The species in this picture is called Geococcyx. I think they look like prehistoric birds, but here he is. Click on the image to enlarge.
I just love it when the Mama and the Daddy throw my squeaky toys for me. The Mama throws my toy on the sofa and I try to catch it in mid-air. I will play hard for about five minutes and then I lay down for a nap.
The Mama threw the toy and the Daddy took this photo of me in mid-air jumping up to get the toy. Click on me and the toy to make us big.
