Red, White and Blue

Red Cardinal, White Saguaro Bones and beautiful Blue Tucson Sky. Happy Memorial Day everyone.

They're Back!

Nothing makes me happier than the arrival of the Purple Martins, it is a sure sign of changing seasons, summer has arrived and the air will soon be filled with their delightful chatter as they teach their off spring to be masters of the sky.

Watching the Sun Set.

I have a favourite little spot on our land where I like to sit quietly at the end of the day and watch the sun slide down below the horizon. It seems I am not the only creature who enjoys this simple pleasure. This saguaro is situated just behind where I usually sit and this beautiful Gilded Flicker was kind enough to share the moment with me.

House Guest

I rarely post about creatures inside our house but this was just too good to miss. Because of the nature of my work if there is ever anything that slithers, scuttles hops or is categorized as venomous that needs relocating I am the member of the household who gets called to do it. Last night my husband was at home alone when he noticed something very small and brightly coloured sliding across the dining room floor. In the past he has blown it with snake ID by standing over the snake with my Snakes of North America book (which is a weighty tome to say the least) trying to ID it from the book, without taking any photos! Then being rather surprised when the snake has disappeared before he has worked out what it is!! So after being severely harangued for this major blunder he got lots of good shots first this time before resorting to the book! What is more he carefully collected this beautiful little Variable Sandsnake in a pyrex bowl and carried him outside where he was pleased to report the snake slithered off into the sand. Top marks!

Bravery Award

As I posted recently, the Rock Squirrels in the yard are incredibly shy. Until recently there was no chance of getting a photo of them but gradually they are getting a little braver. This one likes to hop over the wall onto the back patio to pick up the spilt seed from under the bird feeders. Then he climbs onto the bird bath for a drink. If I sit really still he doesn't run off but one false move and 'poof' he's gone!

I Know the Feeling!

This Thrasher was just waking up from a night of sleeping securely in the centre of a cholla. He looks just like me when I first wake up! All bleary and ruffled. I almost wondered if I should offer to make him a cup of tea :)

Roses of the Desert.

I did warn you, there would be more cactus blossom posts, I just can't get enough of them. Today we are going rosy red. These are the blooms of the chenille prickly pear cactus.

New Faces

This is such a fun time of year, there are so many new species appearing in the yard. Some will be around for the summer and some are just passing through on their migration north. This Brown-crested Flycatcher flitted about for a couple of days before he settled enough for me to get some photos. I have given him a strict talking to - he is welcome to stay if he refrains from eating my hummingbirds, which they are known to do occasionally!

Little Pieces of Sunshine

Cacti are some of the most fantastic plants. They are fierce and armoured but when they flower, oh my! They go all out. Now is the time of year when they are all showing their true magnificence so indulge me if there are several more posts after this one of these splendid blooms.

Feed Me!

We are surrounded by noisy fledglings at the moment, thrashers, cactus wrens, house finches and lesser goldfinches like this one. It is funny to watch the frazzled parents feed them and then turn their back as if they are trying to tune out the constant cheeping. I am still on the lookout for my first batch of baby quail.