I’ve taken a few photos I like this week of Red and other backyard creatures including quail, bunnies and javelina. I’m posting some of them here. It’s always entertaining to be surrounded by wildlife and to be able to capture the birds and animals with my Nikon or iPhone.
A papa quail perched in a planter above his family to keep watch.
Seven or eight javelina stopped by Monday night. They were mostly younger creatures including one wee one with a couple adults. The yellow flowers on the ground are from the Palo Verde trees. We had one night of rain and then a big wind and the flowers are down.
I watched a bunny dig a hole next to our tree. Maybe he’s going for roots? Or building a den?
Look at the feet on this guy!
Red with a mourning dove.
A squirrel and quail are sharing birdseed I placed on a boulder.
Happy Wednesday! Which photos do you like best and why?
This is a view of our backyard with flamingos, doves on the fence and a bright red spot in the cholla cactus on the other side of the fence. That red spot is Red! It’s where I believe Red and Mrs. have built their nest.
Here are a few photos of my backyard wildlife:
A bevy of quail appear every time I put out some birdseed.
This sparrow was all fluffed up when we had seven days of rain! I put a rain gauge in the backyard and we got more than three inches. That’s a lot for the desert.
The Gila Woodpeckers are the bullies of birdseed. They also can hang upside down. Look at the grip this guy has on the Beavertail Cactus art.
Here’s looking at you, kid!
My backyard bunny and friends.
Harris’s antelope squirrel making his move toward the birdseed. I bet it’s not a coincidence that our hawks are Harris’s hawks. Any bets the squirrels must be named after the same guy?
A little out of focus but a better view of Red on the nest.
Happy Thanksgiving! Is anyone traveling for the holiday?
This beauty is a Western Tanager. I’ve seen them a few times, but I haven’t been able to get a photo until this weekend. He stopped by to drink from our bird bath.
I love the way the light goes through the Cottontail’s ears. We have an abundance of bunnies this year all around the neighborhood.
This Roadrunner loves our planter that has water in it. So do bunnies and doves. I spotted the roadrunner in the tree outside the casita, but as I reached for my camera, he flew down and ran through the fence. Then I spotted him in a tree outside the fence in the wash. But I couldn’t get a good view of him. I was thrilled to spot him back in the yard. I got a second chance at photos!
No day is complete without a few Red sightings. He sang his heart out up in our tree!
I have a busier than normal week ahead. Physical therapy, an HOA board meeting to attend for my newsletter, friends in town, a wedding in Northern California in a Redwood Forest. After getting used to a quiet, healing pace, I’m trying not to get too stressed out!
Do you have a slow or busy week ahead? What activities do you have planned?
My beautiful boy in his Nutcracker bunny suit at age three.
I’ll never forget being in a community production of Nutcracker with my son. He was the infamous bunny (it’s a Balanchine thing.) I had two roles: party guest and rodent.
I would take my son to my ballet class and he would play with another three-year-old named Katherine Bottoms. Her father is actor Joseph Bottoms and her mother was an amazing dancer who had danced with New York City Ballet.
While we moms took class, the children played together.
One day, I spotted my son lying on the floor in the dance studio. Katherine had tackled him and was on top of him.
“Promise that you’ll marry me!” she told him. It sounded more like a threat! Finally, he agreed and she got off his chest. I’m not sure if she kissed him. Of course, he ended up marrying another Catherine, who goes by Buff.
I remember having a young love. I was also three. My neighbor Victor was four and my brother was five. (Photo is me with my brother.)
One day the doorbell rang. My mom answered and Victor was standing on the steps.
“I’m sorry, Victor, Bobby is at school,” My mom explained. My brother had started kindergarten that week.
“I’m here to ask if Elizabeth can come out to play.”
“Oh!” my mom answered surprised. I do remember this happening, but I also remember my mom’s retelling it to the neighborhood coffee klatch with lots of laughter.
Victor and I played together most days. Victor ended up moving. When I was in the third or fourth grade, he came back for a visit. We were at an event with music and dancing. Maybe it was a wedding or a church social?
Without a word, he immediately grabbed my hands and twirled me around the dance floor until it was time to leave.
What memories do you have of young love or early friendships?
The people who built our house and lived here for 15 years prior to us buying it, took good care of the backyard. They filled it with landscaping, potted plants and creatures.
It was cool enough to be outside last night to barbecue. While the tri tip was grilling, I took photos of the critters the prior owners left.
Here are some of them:
Not sure if these are owls or birds?Squirrel!Cuties.This gator guards the pool.Baby alligatorI like this frog.Roadrunner.My favorite roadrunner.Javelina.
I had a friend over to hike last spring. She commented “You sure have a lot going on in your backyard.”
She’s right. All the statue critters are not exactly my taste, but they are growing on me. I’m not going to get rid of them, but I doubt I’ll add to the collection. The cactus and succulents are growing on me, too.
Here’s a boot with a cactus growing inside.Coyotes with a steer’s head and metal aloe.
What are your thoughts about statuary in the yard? Are you a fan or not?
