Double Delight

You can't follow this blog and not pick up on the fact that I love Herps. In Arizona there is a 'Holy Grail' that everyone looks out for, the mysterious Gila Monster. How can you not want to see an animal that is legitimately called a monster? They are highly secretive and oh did I mention, they are the only venomous lizard in North America? Needless to say, I have wanted to see one ever since we bought our house. About a year after we bought it my husband was sitting out in the backyard, chatting to me on the phone when one casually trundled onto the patio, needless to say, I was not amused. And so I waited, and waited and the years clicked by. On Friday I was sitting by the pool when what should come strolling towards me but this beautiful character.

Well my year was made, my very own Gila sighting, I was completely delighted. So imagine my incredulity when the next morning I found this outside my front door!



Two different Gila Monsters in two days, it doesn't get any better than this.

Sunday Desert Blooms - Part Four

Staring deep into the cup of a Santa Rita Prickly Pear blossom, such vivid colours.

A New Guest

The Ladder-backed Woodpeckers on our land are notoriously shy and I can never capture a good shot of them. It seems a little bribery works wonders as this beautiful little female just couldn't resist the lure of the suet feeder. Photographed at last!

Sunday Desert Blooms - Part Three

The Mexican Bird of Paradise blooms are very extravagant, just look at the length of those stamens!

Togetherness

 

After a rather lengthly courtship during which she played (very) hard to get, our resident Kestrels are now inseparable. Even sharing, somewhat precariously, the same perch atop of a Saguaro.

Sunday Desert Blooms - Part Two

Another week of colour, this Cholla is a magnet for the hummingbirds when it bursts into bloom.

Who's There?

Deep amongst the rocks and cacti, someone is stirring, who is it?

Oh hello, it is the local rodent patrol officer. So good to see you.

Sunday Desert Blooms - Part One

I love cacti, always have so finally having a garden full of them is a constant delight. At this time of year the explosion of colour is simply dazzling. This is one of our Hedgehog Cacti.