When the dogs visit the patio, Beethoven jumps up on the spa and watches for desert critters like cottontails and jackrabbits so he can protect us from them by barking them away. Cabela, on the other hand, looks for bugs or lizards that may have crept into the patio. At the end of the video, she gets interested in the birds on Verna’s feeders. Click on the > to play the video.
We have landscape plants around the house and courtyard and along the RV drive, but, once you go up the hill behind, it is all natural desert flora and fauna. This compass barrel cactus is about halfway between the RV drive and the north property line. We both love the natural desert in our back yard. Click on the image to enlarge.
When we were adding landscape to the property a couple of years ago, we had the landscapers install a couple of smaller saguaros in addition to the large one by the garage.
One of the two smaller saguaros is in the center of this image, flanked by some creosote bushes and a cholla cactus behind. Other than the saguaro, the shrubs and cholla were already here.
Click on the image to enlarge. Of course, you will need your free pair of 3D glasses to view the anaglyph image. If you don’t have your 3D glasses you can view the 2D image here.
While I was preparing the side dishes for today’s featured entrée, smoked chicken breast, I noticed the bright colors in the peas and carrots. I got my camera and took this image while the veggies were still simmering in the pan. Click on the image to enlarge.
When we were finishing the retirement house two years ago, we felt it to be imperative that we get our back patio screened in. Thus far, that has been the right decision. The screen keeps (most) flying bugs out and provides a relatively safe place to confine the dogs when we’re outside.
I took this image of the patio from the hill behind the house today, just after I hung up Verna’s seed bell and thistle feeders for the birds. Click on the image to enlarge.
I just love the courtyard when the red bird flowers open. This is only their second summer and I expect them to be even more mature next summer. The flowering plum tree is covered with leaves and the sage have already had their flowers. The courtyard and landscape shrubs are a colorful accent to our already beautiful little house. Click on the image to enlarge.
