In addition to the new clubhouse at the Retirement Ranch, the management is installing a pool for the seniors. The pool is relatively shallow with stairs at both shallow ends and a ladder in the deepest part. There is also a whirlpool spa at the south end of the pool. Click on the panorama to see full-sized in the image viewer. Be sure to scroll right to see the whirlpool.
The pool should be complete in a few weeks. I will post another panorama of the complete, water-filled pool and spa.
For the second year in Arizona, the little cactus we brought from California has grown a new paddle and a new flower on the end of the paddle. I took this photo this morning after the flower opened for the first time. Click on the image to enlarge.
I flushed this Desert Spiny Lizard the other morning when loading some aluminum cans into the truck. The lizard didn’t scurry under a rock right away, so I was able to get this shot of it still on the rocks where the bags with cans had been.
We have seen it several times since hiding near the compost where it (presumably) eats insects attracted to the heap. Cabela tries to give chase to the lizard when going out for a walk, but we don’t let her.
We took a drive to the Desert Caballeros Golf Club today to try and locate the spa on the property. We found both the spa and this nice little patch of xeriscape along the roadway. The patch includes ocotillo, cholla, a couple of varieties of barrel cactus and miscellaneous shrubs. This patch never needs watering other than from the rains that will be here this summer.
I added an additional hummingbird feeder at the other end of the patio last week. Now there are two feeders, but the little hummers still seem to bicker over who gets to feed where. No matter, though, we have seen as many as four at a time perched or hovering at the feeders. The fact that they go dry every few days says someone must be getting fed! Click on the image to enlarge.
Each holiday, volunteers from The American Legion here in town place dozens and dozens of flags around town, mostly on the main drags. Today, we were driving through town and Verna took this shot of a few of the many flags lining the streets of town. Click on the image to enlarge.
