Leisure

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.

Grillin’ in the Rain

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 Bob Climate Food and Dining Leisure Retirement

Craft Fair and Bluegrass Festival

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 Bob Arizona Culture Leisure

After Dinner Walks

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 Bob Arizona Leisure Photography Retirement

Throwback Thursday

Eight years ago today – Enjoying the beautiful scenery of Canyonlands National Park. This is near where Verna collected a small vial of red dirt that would later be used to provide the color match for paint on our Arizona home. Click on the image to enlarge.

July 21, 2016 by Bob Family Leisure Nostalgia Photography Vacation