The Best of 2015

My goodness, where do the years go? Here we are again looking back through the last year. This is a tradition that I follow every year. I find it fun to look back and remind myself of all the delightful critters that have allowed me to photograph them.

I am starting with the resplendent reptiles, it was a good year for our scaled friends, I think they did well with all the rain. 

This was our accidental catch. A very forgiving rattler that my husband managed to catch in a trap he had put out for a packrat. She didn't bear a grudge and posed obligingly after leaving the trap.

On the opposite end of the scale, this is a little baby rattler, barely twelve inches long. Being so diminutive he was a little more hesitant about posing for the camera but with quietness and patience I was able to get some nice pics.

No such demure behaviour from this spiny beauty, he struck the pose like a supermodel! I just love these characters and never tire of photographing them.

I did say it was a great reptile year and this was an absolute gem. A baby Gila Monster! At approximately six inches long it was probably not much more than a hatchling. I feel truly blessed to have seen such a unique little treasure.

The last reptile has been my nemesis for years. The Coachwhip, so fast that a photo seemed a forlorn hope until this year when, for some reason it decided to stick around for the paparazzi! Even going so far as to trace my steps up to the pool one day and watch me take a dip. Maybe it was the snakes revenge for me following him around?

And now onto the ones with exoskeletons.

I do love having these beautiful 'fluffies' around. I know they not everyones cup of tea but I think they are magnificent.

Something more conventionally pretty. I liked this shot because of the contrast between the fierce spines and the delicate butterfly.
An old favourite reappears as the sole representative for the amphibians.

The splendid Sonoran Desert Toad. This hefty lovely took up residence on our back patio, hanging out under an agave during the heat of the day, taking a dip in our little pool in the evening before heading out to hunt for dinner. He had a special place in our heart as he only had one eye.
And now onto the feathered ones...........

What's not to love about the oh so expressive Roadrunner? 

This isn't the best quality photo but it was indicative of the day. It was grey and wet when this flock of Western Bluebirds appeared. What a perfect way to brighten a day.

I just love this shot! Mrs quail looking absolutely irresistible.

Some colour here, a little Verdin feeding amongst the aloe blossoms.

This super fancy Black-throated Sparrow posed very obligingly outside the window one morning. I don't often enthuse about sparrows but this one is so smart looking with that sharp black and white colour scheme.

This was a new yard species right at the end of the year. A Peregrine Falcon feeding on an unfortunate dove.

Now onto the sky category.

We had a stunning supermoon this year that I just had to try to photograph. Such a magical sight.

My much photographed twisty twig makes the grade this year. I love this view and take endless shots throughout the seasons.

The mountains always provide a dramatic backdrop to the vivid colours of sunset.

The next group is plants.

One of our agaves threw up a flower stem this year and as the months went by it got taller and taller. Inevitably it was christened Audrey II.

The chollas flourished with all the rain, I like this macro shot, pretty but spikey!

A tiny little hedgehog cactus that goes virtually unnoticed for the majority of the year has its fifteen minutes of fame when it bursts into spectacular bloom.

Finally, the mammals.

It's tough enough to photograph the shy Round-tailed Ground Squirrel but getting a shot of them coming out of their burrow? I struck it really lucky with this one.

The naughtiest photo for the year. Wiley Coyote making it quite clear whose territory this is!

And finally our beautiful resident pussy cat. I am probably going to bore you all with endless photos of this gorgeous Bobcat that has decided that our back patio is the perfect spot to sleep during the day after spending the night hunting.

Shhhhh! Let sleeping dogs cats lie.
Happy New Year everyone.

Keeping Watch

So many creatures in the desert live underground but actually catching them on their front door step is a rare thing. I was smiling broadly as this shy little Round-tailed Ground Squirrel peeped at me.

Cuteness Overload!

As if the Round-tailed Ground Squirrels weren't cute enough, their babies are just off the charts! Especially when the sun shines through their fuzzy little tails!

Desert Dweller

The sweet little Round-tailed Ground Squirrel always strikes me as the consummate desert dweller, they rarely show signs of overheating even in the current sweltering temperatures and camouflage doesn't get much better than theirs. I am so happy to share my piece of desert with them.

Mother To Be

Eating for two or three or four or five, this sweet little pregnant Round-tailed Ground Squirrel was parked under the bird feeders and getting quite the feast.

Sharing

There are many species that enjoy snacking on the quail block and they are not all feathered. I was fortunate to catch this sweet moment one afternoon, a Round-tailed Ground Squirrel and a Cottontail both munching contentedly away side by side.

Camoflauge

When you are a small Round-tailed Ground Squirrel you are on many critters menus so heightened alertness and cryptic colouring are essential requirements for survival. Look how perfectly this little guy blends in with his surroundings.

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.

In Pursuit of Lunch

When you are low on the food chain you have to take care when you venture out to eat. The Round-tailed Ground Squirrel appears under the gate into our yard.

And carefully looks around to see if there is any danger nearby

You cannot be too cautious, there is always someone watching, somewhere

When the way seems clear, a quick run out into the open to the yummy quail block

Where a couple of mouthfuls are hurriedly munched and then cheeks filled with more goodies

Before running back into the shade, safe from the hunter in the skies

To enjoy a tasty meal

Nature Notes hosted by Michelle at Rambling Woods

New Kids on the Block

They are sold as Quail Blocks but I sometimes wonder why the quail don't register a complaint under the Trades Description Act. The Mourning Doves enjoy eating it


And it is unusual not to see the Antelope Squirrels grabbing a snack from it


The Thrasher chisels away at it with that fearsome beak


And the Round-tailed Ground Squirrel just can't get enough of it.


And the new kids on the block? Well that would be the Rabbits who have recently discovered this yummy delicacy!



Just occasionally the poor old Quails get to dine at the Quail Block, or should that be the Dove, Squirrel, Thrasher, Ground Squirrel, Rabbit, Quail Block?! What a good job the Quail are prepared to share.


Nature Notes hosted by Michelle at Rambling Woods.