I caught this Gilded Flicker hanging out in a tree.
Leaving for my morning walk these blue flowers caught my eye.
A view of the pool bar and waterfall. The swim up stools are on the other side of the countertop.
Walking past our house I noticed these flowers for the first time ever on the side of our house. It looks like bougainvillea and I’d like to plant more. I wonder where this one came from? Maybe it hasn’t bloomed before.
My husband said he’s noticed them. So I guess I’m in a fog while I start my walk.
I knew once my walk was over, I’d have to get out my camera and tripod to take pictures of the bougainvillea. But then I thought, why not try shooting things in the yard without the tripod. If the shots turned out fuzzy, I’d do the extra work with the tripod. I’m satisfied with my “freehand” photos.
Glass flowers by the fireplace. They glisten in the sun.
This tortoise is hiding in a corner of the yard.
The prior owners were into yard creatures. At first I thought they were tacky, but they’ve grown on me. Friends gave me a birthday present of pink flamingos from Costco. At first I thought those were tacky, too. But I put them in the yard with all the other crazy things. They fit right in.
A friend of mine from college went hiking with us when we first moved to Arizona. She stared out our windows and said, “You sure have a lot going on in this yard.”
Isn’t that the truth?
While I was writing this, a huge Harris Hawk soared into the yard. I yelled because he was after my quail. He flew powerfully overtaking a quail in flight. But I scared him before he caught one. He decided to hang out on our fence and survey the area. The quail all scattered into the brush.
I’ve tried multiple times to catch a hawk in flight with my camera. They take off so quickly and get hidden behind trees and brush. I have failed so far!
Yes, there’s a lot going on in my yard.
What’s going on in your yard?
You have a lovely yard Elizabeth. And all the creatures get along well 😂
Thank you! I keep discovering new little things tucked away in odd places.
The joy of discovery
😀
Such a pretty yard. I really love bougainvillea and had two massive ones in my yard. One was ripped out by storms last year and the other had to be removed when we replaced a fence. Then the replacement bougainvillea had to be pulled out and replanted because of a faulty electrical conduit under it. I’m not sure it’s going to survive.
I love bougainvilleas too. We had one huge one at our old house. Then we planted a few others that never flourished. I was surprised to see this that I never noticed before. I hope yours survives and does well.
Excellent shots! I’d love to sit and look at all this in your yard. Have a great day!
Thank you! There’s always something going on, or something new to see.
I love your friend’s comment! A lot going on – and I love that you share with us! 🥰
I don’t think my friend meant it as a compliment 😅But I’m glad you saw it that way!
I hear you — and I could detect the undertone but I like the sunny interp! ☀️🥰☀️
I do too! Thanks! ☺️
Birds at the bird feeder and the little lithe black cat who thinks Rasputin is his brother. Nice shots! Do you get any trick or treaters in Arizona community?
A love the black cat who thinks your pug is his brother. No trick or treaters in the three Halloweens we’ve been here.
I kind of missed the chatting to the kids and parents. A neighborhood group hanging out outside would have been nice. The weather was beautiful…low 70s.
We used to go to a friend’s neighborhood in Palm Springs that the whole community went to for trick or treating. We’d sit in the cul de sac with all the neighbors. Great memories.
That does sound nice.
Nice flicker! I’ve rarely been able to capture our hawks in flight either, they’re beautiful but quick.
I hope the quail appreciate your protective measures.
😉
Thanks! Yes, I can sit outside staring at the hawk, waiting and waiting. Then in a blink, he’s in flight.
You do have a lovely yard! I like all the critters, live or fake.
Thanks! I like the live ones best. Especially the bobcat and deer. The fake ones are growing on me and I keep finding ones in odd places that I haven’t noticed before.
We have several bougainvilleas in our yard. Two were here when we moved in and might be 50+ years old. We have never watered them yet they keep on blooming year after year. We added a new one in another area several years ago and, like the others, it blooms year-round. They are such perfect low-water plants. I like your ornamental yard creatures… how could anyone have a bad day when they have pink flamingos dancing in their yard?
You’re fortunate to have 50 plus year old bougainvillea. We had one in Palm Springs that old. We planted new ones, but they never got enough sun. We are planning on adding some in our new Arizona house. The pink flamingos are outside the window where I sit and do bills, chores and write. Funny, I visited my brother and he had the same flamingos in the yard of his macmansion, or mansion, in Seattle.
Beautiful yard, and such lovely captures of the plants and wildlife. Similar sight to be seen around here. We’re been seeing roadrunners and Northern cardinals very often now that’s cooling down. Soon the snakes will be emerging to seek the heat of warm asphalt and concrete and, while I don’t like snakes, a lot of people kill the good rodent-eating snakes, so I’m always on the lookout to help relocate them out-of-sight.
Thanks! Yes, we also have the roadrunners and cardinals. I haven’t seen snakes in our yard, but they could be out there. I do see them on the pavement occasionally on my walks.
Beautiful yard, and I love the tortoise!
Thanks!
That’s a lovely yard indeed. I can imagine that it must be pretty relaxing to spend time in your yard. I hope that you’ll be able to capture those hawks in flight one of these days
The hawks have visited a few days in a row, but I have missed them in flight.
Hopefully they’ll keep visiting and you’ll get you chance 😀
👍🏼