Most Popular

We recently purchased a sweet little owl seed block. It was almost too cute to feed out but I am glad I did as the birds really love it.

Hanging Around

The Gila Woodpecker is so loud and raucous it often overshadows it's smaller, (slightly) quieter cousin. I never tire of watching the little Ladder-backed Woodpeckers hopping about in the trees, chattering away as they forage for bugs and grubs.

Peep!

People often ask me why I don't remove dead tree limbs and my answer is simple, they will fall when they are good and ready and provided they as not going to crash down and damage something I would far rather they stay were they are because they provide all kinds of food for numerous species. It would seem that the Ladder-backed Woodpeckers agree with me.

Dinner Date

A beautiful pair of Ladder-backed Woodpeckers sharing a meal atop of one of our Saguaros. Could there be a more romantic dinner spot?

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!

I Love Monsoon Season

When the rains come to the desert every living thing seems to celebrate. When the fearsome dark clouds finally offload their moisture there is a collective sigh of relief as the temperature briefly dips and everything is refreshed.

We become complacent about the endless days of clear, perfect blue skies so when the rain clouds roll in the novelty is much appreciated.



It also seems to be a time when the more reclusive inhabitants put in an appearance. This was the first time I had seen Ladder-backed Woodpeckers in my yard and a pair of them spent most of the morning outside my kitchen window.

The Cholla make the most of the rains to push out their delicate pink blossoms, quite out of keeping with the rest of their fearsomely spiny structure.

I always go amphibian hunting in the evening after the rain and this beautiful little Red-spotted Toad obligingly put in an appearance to ensure my efforts were not in vain.

 

I remember being so shocked to see a fungus sprouting quite vigorously in the Sahara Desert when I traveled there so I suppose I shouldn't have been so surprised to see this splendid specimen pop up in my yard.

There are always a vast array of lizard species scuttling around but it is unusual for the shy Zebra-tailed Lizard to stay still long enough for a photo. No prizes for guessing why it got it's name!

Of course with rains come numerous bugs of every shape and size and with them the appearance of their predators. This beautiful Arizona Blonde Tarantula lives in my back yard and always appears after rainfall to catch supper when darkness arrives.

And for those of you who prefer furry things that are warm blooded and have a skeleton, this Round-tailed Ground Squirrel sat in front of our office window and did some very thorough ablutions during a morning rain shower.

Yes, I think it would be true to say that I am not the only one who loves Monsoon Season.

Nature Notes hosted by Michelle at Rambling Woods.