I spotted this photo of the day under a Jojoba bush by the garage. I then checked the other Mammillaria in the yard but I had missed their blooms…darn.
Mammillaria like the safety and shade of overhanging shrubs so that’s the place to look.
overcast
This eerie sun and clouds turned out to be a result of a fire about 40 miles away. Over 1000 acres of brush, mostly Tamarisk (Salt Cedar), were burning in the Salt River bed. These trees produce a really dark smoke.
summer fruit
What a surprise to find this fruit yesterday. In fact, there were two!
(Animals usually eat them before I get a chance to get a photograph).
heat waves
The spines on Parry’s agave reminded me of heat waves.
texture
Ocotillo bark.
imitating a saguaro
I loved this little tomato and visualized it yelling to the saguaros that it had arms too.
OK…this is just silly but it’s hard to come up with a photo a day 🙂
gambel’s quail chick
Two Gambel’s Quail families in the yard last night. This tiny chick was one of 14!
The other family only had two. It’s a tough life. Snakes, roadrunners and gila monsters love to snack on them 🙁
bath time
Don’t let Cloe’s face fool you. She loves water!
Check out Cleo in the background waiting his turn 🙂
They complain a little but all in all are unbelievably cooperative.
(thanks to Chris for taking the photos)
summer
Summer officially starts today. What does this photo have to do with that?
Nothing but you’re supposed to have fun during summer, right? This is a start 🙂
moon illusion
Last night we witnessed a summer moon illusion. The illusion is that it appears extra large.
My question is if everyone sees it (including astronauts) isn’t real? 🙂
(Canon 40D, 100-400mm, 2x extension tube)