Sorted!

Well I haven't blogged for a while and frankly it was because I was being a wimp. I am a self-confessed technotard and when I started having problems with blogger I just couldn't work it out. I tried for a couple of weeks with zero success. Eventually I had to admit defeat and rope in my hubbie - what he doesn't know about computers isn't worth knowing. And, of course, BINGO! I'm back. Thanks My Love <3

We had a lot of rain last week, don't worry I'm not looking for any sympathy I am only too well aware that a large proportion of the country has been hammered with snow, hail and ice but it does tie in with the picture for this post. A toadstool, growing in my yard! So bizarre to see this in the middle of a desert. Life is full of surprises.

An Old Favourite

It is just over three years since I started this blog and my first post was a Gambell's Quail so it seemed only fitting to acknowledge the continued presence of this comical character as a regular visitor on our land. They are so endearing I can totally understand why I chose them for my opening post.

FYI I am having huge problems with blogger, the supposed new layout is playing havoc with all my settings, as you can see, the paragraph breaks don't occur and I can't even see my images when I download them. Very frustrating.

Serenity

The cooler fall mornings lead to a wonderful clarity in the air. These are magical days.

The Wanderer Returns

The Mockingbirds disappear from my yard during the summer months, they are in the area, just not in my yard. Quite mysterious. Last weekend I heard a familiar squawk and sure enough, the wanderers had returned and they will now be a regular fixture around my feeders through the winter and spring.

A Fall Feast

The Barrel Cactii are a blaze of orange flowers in August, now they wear clusters of plump yellow fruit. If you have the technique to avoid the massive spines, they are a popular feast. The javalinas and the deer seem to have worked it out and these juicy snacks will be around for the next couple of months.

Part of the Scenery

All the herps on our land are very special to me because they don't appear too often so I consider myself very lucky to have seen two beautiful Horned Lizards in as many months. While this one was not quite as 'up close and personal' as the last one, it did give me a perfect demonstration of its amazing cryptic colouration.