Verna and Bob's Weblog

Leisure

Retirement Throwback

This coming Saturday, 10/01/2022, will be the thirteenth anniversary of my retirement from full-time employment. In the days following that event, Verna and I took some weekday trips to some of our local attractions. Verna took this photo of a Seagull in the Harbor of Los Angeles (San Pedro).

We visited the garden department of a Lowe’s and saw this hummingbird browsing the flowers on display there.

Finally, we visited the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This is us relaxing on a park bench for a few minutes after walking through the acres and acres of garden displays.

All the above activity took place the first week of October, 2009. It was such a pleasure to visit these places on weekdays when they were less crowded than on the weekends. Click on any image to enlarge.

September 28, 2022 by California Leisure Nostalgia Photography Retirement

2021 Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival

We attended the starting ceremonies of the Annual Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival today. We stayed for the first performing group (shown above), The Sonoran Dogs Bluegrass Band. They were very good, playing and singing. The combo included Bass Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar and Banjo.

When The Sonoran Dogs finished their set, we went to the vendor area above the stadium and got a couple of souvenirs before heading home. It was a nice outing and we enjoyed some spectacular Arizona Weather with clear skies and 85° spring-like temperature in the middle of November.

The Festival continues for the rest of the weekend, but we were satisfied with our short visit this afternoon.

November 12, 2021 by Entertainment Leisure Retirement

Black-Throated Sparrow

Black-Throated Sparrow

I was in the backyard yesterday with my camera* and caught this photo of one of our migrant visitors to the seed feeders up on the little hill out there. I think it is a Black-Throated Sparrow. We don’t see many of these and only do see them when they are either headed south in the fall or north in the spring.

From All About Birds:

A medium-sized sparrow with a large, round head, conical seed-eating bill, and a medium length tail. Larger than a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, smaller than a Horned Lark.

Most striking feature is the face pattern: neat gray bordered by 2 strong white stripes and a black triangular throat patch. Upperparts are grayish brown and the underparts are a paler mix of cream and white. The tail is dark with white spots on the corners. Juveniles look like adults but lack the black throat patch and have faint streaks above and below.

Hops on the ground, pecking for seeds and insects, and makes short low flights between shrubs. Often perches in trees and shrubs giving quiet calls.

I might add that they also visit the seed feeders in people’s back yards.

* Camera: Canon EOS REBEL SL1

  • COPYRIGHT © BOB POOLE
  • 1/400 Sec
  • F8
  • ISO 100
  • Focal Length 135mm

Click on the image to enlarge.

February 24, 2021 by Arizona Critters Leisure Photography

Grillin’ in the Rain

Rain or Shine the Grill Must Be Tended

When we arrived at camp today, we hooked up our utilities and immediately started getting the grill ready to fix our dinner. When I went out to grill the ribs, a thunderstorm started dumping some rain. Well, what had to be done was to get dinner on the table, so Verna got out my rain jacket and I finished the job.

The meal was delicious. Click on the image to enlarge.

August 22, 2019 by Climate Food and Dining Leisure Retirement

Craft Fair and Bluegrass Festival

Bob at Rodeo Grounds Verna at the Craft Fair

Although we don’t normally venture out on the weekends, today held a special reason, actually two, to lure us out of the comfort of our beautiful home. It was a beautiful spring-like day with sunshine and temperatures in the mid to upper 70’s.

The first event, an arts and crafts show downtown by the library, was interesting; there were many vendors of jewelry, clothing, pottery, knick knacks, books and other stuff. We looked around a bit and Verna bought a decorative screen cover for a wine glass to keep the bugs or falling debris out. We didn’t stay too long, just enough time to look at all the booths.

The other event was our Annual Bluegrass Festival. There were several bands that we listened to, all of which were very good performers. We also browsed the vendors up at the Rodeo Grounds where the event was being held. I bought a souvenir T-Shirt commemorating this year’s Festival.

Photos of me in my new cowboy hat at the rodeo grounds and of Verna browsing at the craft fair. Click on either image to enlarge.

November 10, 2018 by Arizona Culture Leisure

After Dinner Walks

Local Scenery

When we take our walks after a big meal, we are lucky to live in a town where the desert environment provides a very pleasant array of scenery. One path we take goes by a little hill with many mature saguaro cacti. At the end of that path we can see the mountain ranges across the Hassayampa Valley. Just north of the path is the street where one of the home owners has installed a waterfall feature along the frontage of their property.

Click on the composite image to enlarge.

March 4, 2017 by Arizona Leisure Photography Retirement

Avalon 1998

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