A Summer Surprise

In my years working as a guide one thing I learnt was that no matter what the animal behaviour books said, there would always be an animal out there that would do the exact opposite from what the experts said they should do. And such was the case with this Gila Monster. They spend very little time above ground and, in theory, there is a very specific temperature and humidity window that they tolerate. We expect to see them (if at all) in April, May and September primarily so imagine my surprise when I looked out of the window to see this guy trundling across the yard in the full heat of summer in the middle of the day when the thermometer was reading 104 degrees!
I have checked my previous photos and I think this is the same individual I saw in April 2014. Their patterns are unique. I did a post about it, it was the first one of the double delight. Sorry to say, he still doesn't seem to have put on much weight though.

Sunset Serenade

This Thrasher decided to join me for sundowners. He perched atop the nearby dead saguaro and sang a beautiful song to celebrate the end of the day. I am so lucky to have such lovely neighbours.

We Had Babies!

The wonderful secrets of the night revealed. Momma Bobcat strolling past the kitchen with two little kits. I do enjoy my wildlife cameras.

What YOU lookin' at?

This poor old Desert Spiny Lizard was not impressed with me. He had taken up residence in a hole underneath our front stoop and every time I came outside he would be relaxing in the entrance to his hole, see me coming and go rushing back underground. I appologised and explained that I needed to go in and out of my front door from time to time. I then settled to sit and drink my tea and he made his way over to a nearby agave and scowled at me!

Learning The Ropes

This fledgling Verdin was right outside my front door one morning so I sat quietly watching it while I drank my tea. It seemed to have learned well from its parents and was foraging away very industriously in the mesquite tree.

This Hunting Business Is Hot Work!

I felt bad for this young Coopers Hawk, he had had two unsuccessful attempts at grabbing a quail in the yard and was obviously feeling the heat. He sat on the ground, wings half open, panting away in the shade of our carport for a good ten minutes before finally getting his breath back and moving on to continue his hunt for lunch.

The Bar Is Open

It seems that some of 'the locals' have discovered the patio watering hole. One of our Gopher Snakes and our black Coachwhip are regular visitors to our little pond now that the heat is on.

Mom! Mom! Mom! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mama! Mama! Mama! Ma! Ma! Ma!

You know the sketch from Family Guy when Stewie is trying to get Louis' attention? Well this young Gila Woodpecker was doing the avian equivalent! He was so vociferous that I actually thought that maybe there was a snake raiding the nest but no, he just wanted to get Mum's attention.

It's The Little Things........

that make me smile. Like this tiny little cactus, significantly smaller than a golf ball putting forth three splendid flowers. Perfection.