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.

Textures

Unless they happen to be obligingly coiled up in a neat circle, trying to photograph an entire snake is pretty tricky, usually you end up with a 'distant stick'. But I think that the beauty is in the details and so I often take close-up shots to highlight the patterns and scales. The two Gopher Snakes that frequent our patio make great models.

Signs of Spring

The seasons of the desert are quite distinctive. We don't have the feet of snow or the endless weeks of sub-zero temperatures that other areas of the country have (thank goodness) but we have seasonal changes. One that I particularly enjoy is the reemergence of my scaly friends when the temperatures start to rise. This beautiful Gopher Snake was cruising around our yard on two consecutive mornings - I love spring!

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.

Happy Halloween

I started this tradition last year, dredging through my year of photos to find suitable Halloween images, so here are this years selection, enjoy.

 

 

Neighbourhood Watch

The quails were the first ones to raise the alarm, running along the top of the wall chattering loudly and every so often pausing to stare over the edge before resuming their running and fussing.


Next was the Round-tailed Ground Squirrel peering over a rock, chattering and flicking his tail whilst staring very intently at the base of the wall.
OK guys I get the hint - there is a problem!


Oh I see what all the noise is about now it's the local rodent control officer doing her afternoon rounds. It is very hard for her to focus when you are all making such a fuss!


And you know she has a very important job to do because if it wasn't for her we would be over-run with Packrats and that is never a good thing.


Although other members of the local population are not so keen on this afternoon routine, I am always delighted to see our beautiful Gopher Snake quietly making her way around the yard.


Maybe it's because I have one of her cousins at work, I don't know but I think they have such beautiful faces.


And she can wind herself round the base of my birdbath in the shade during a lazy afternoon any time she wants.


Nature Notes hosted by Michelle at Rambling Woods

Whoooooooooo

From Ghoulies and Ghosties
And Long-legged Beasties
And things that go Bump in the Night
Good Lord Deliver Us!

-Traditional Scottish Prayer














Happy Halloween everyone.

Meet Stumpy

Our beautiful resident Gopher Snake. She does a regular, thorough round of our patio to check for trespassers


Before slipping into her favourite hiding spot under the steps to keep a look-out. Pack-rats beware!


And why Stumpy? She has an old injury on the tip of her tail. I was a little concerned but it does seem to be healed and dry.