After weeks of rain, yesterday was a bright sunny day. I enjoyed sitting outside capturing some critters and plants in the bright sunshine, like this Harris’s Antelope Squirrel.
The bees were buzzing in the fairy duster and honeysuckle plants.
Our large croc sat in the sun and shadows filtered through our pergola.
A Curved-Bill Thrasher lands on a barrel cactus.
Curved-Bill Thrashers are the bully birds of the backyard. My husband commented that it’s a good thing they aren’t the size of German Shepherds or we’d be shredded.
Mama quail finding a snack of birdseed. Quail scratch the ground with their feet hunting for food.
This is called a Blue Potato Bush. I liked the light on these blossoms.
A House Sparrow landed on an aloe vera plant.
We have a bouquet of glass flowers by the outdoor fireplace that was left by the former homeowners.
A fuzzy, fluffy Roadrunner. I found out this is a juvenile because of his dark eyes, small crest and yes, fluffy feathers.
With my stressful, busy week that included worrying about my dad in ICU, an Xray, an eye appointment, dinner out with the ladies and two PT appointments, I can’t think straight. That’s why my posts this week consist of photos.
I found photography to be especially soothing and grounding this week. I took more pictures I’m proud of and happy to share. One of my favorite bits of photography is connecting the SD card to my laptop and looking at my captures. I never know what I’ve gotten, because I don’t look at the photos on my camera. I did get one new lifetime bird, so I’ll be working on a “Bird of the Week” challenge next week.
Another photo of the Roadrunner.
The squirrel is a talented climber and somehow avoids the cactus spikes on his tummy.
Mr. Squirrel likes to eat his birdseed on a bench where he leaves quite a mess!
A male House Finch is a pretty red and settled at the birdbath for me to get a few photos.
A juvenile Harris’s Hawk stopped by for a visit. Mostly he was behind leaves in our Mesquite tree so I only got one photo that worked.
I’ve had a stressful week and I’ve found the way I’m keeping sane is being out in nature and photographing my birds and plants. I got a call two days ago that my dad was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The staff at his assisted living found him unconscious in bed in the middle of the day covered in vomit that was black. In case you didn’t know, that’s not a good sign. The second day in the hospital, the doctor gave me a more promising update on his health. He’s coherent and conscious.
Here are a few of my photos from this week:
Harris’s Antelope Squirrel in the morning light.
A Lesser Goldfinch enjoying Honeysuckle nectar.
A Gila Woodpecker likes to eat Cactus Barrel blossoms.
There were three of these Harris’s Antelope Squirrels running around our backyard yesterday. They were chasing each other around. It didn’t look like it was friendly either. More of a “this is my territory so get lost” kind of look.
I skipped a day of putting out birdseed, so the birds (and squirrels) went wild when I put out a birdseed block yesterday.
Here are a few photos from the backyard yesterday:
A House Sparrow at the birdbath.
A female Gambel’s Quail on a bench.
A male Gambel’s Quail walking to the birdseed block.
A bunch of quail attacking the birdseed block.
A Mourning Dove jumped into the birdbath and made a splash.
I watched this little Harris’s Antelope Squirrel, who looks like a chipmunk, romping around the yard. First he was on top of the waterfall in the pool. But by the time I grabbed my camera he moved to the outdoor fireplace.
We also have Harris’s Hawks, so I decided to find out more about this Harris guy. This is what AI told me:
Both animals are named in honor of Edward Harris (1799–1863), an American naturalist, philanthropist, and horse breeder from New Jersey.
He was a close friend and financial supporter of the famous ornithologist and artist John James Audubon. Harris accompanied Audubon on two major wildlife-gathering expeditions: one along the Gulf of Mexico in 1837 and another up the Missouri River in 1843.
To thank him for his friendship and financial help, Audubon named several newly cataloged species after him, including:
FYI, this is a photo of a Harris’s Sparrow from the website All About Birds. They aren’t found in Arizona, so I’ll be out of luck taking a picture of one here. They are found in the middle of the country from Texas all the way to Northern Canada.
I have been able to get many photos of Harris’s Hawks.
Back to my Harris’s Antelope Squirrel:
Here is the Harris’s Antelope Squirrel posing in front of a little fireplace ceramic statue of a chiminea on the mantel of the real fireplace. I learned the word antelope is in its name because it often carries its tail curled up over its back revealing a white rump like an antelope. Who knew?
He spent the afternoon getting settled into his new home.
Happy Friday!
What plans do you have for the weekend?
This week went by so quickly for me. How about for you?
I wanted to know more about my backyard buddies, so I looked up a few facts. I’m sharing them with you along with photos I took this week. I hope you enjoy them and they add a delight and smile to your day!
Papa Quail sits high above other quail on a bench on a raised patio. I love how there’s always one quail acting as a sentinel as his mate and covey eat on the ground. If he senses danger, he’ll call out.
This male House Finch beauty has been hanging out on our cactus statue the last few days. They are common in Arizona and eat seeds and have a beautiful song.
Although this guy looks like a chipmunk he’s a Harris’s Antelope Squirrel. I wonder how he got the name “antelope?” I learned that they regulate their temperature by “heat dumping” which is laying in the shade spread out on their tummy when they are overheated. They use their tail as an umbrella to create shade. They live in underground burrows that they dig under shrubs or trees.
I captured a White-Winged Dove and Mourning Doves at the Bird Buddy Feeder. Here are a few facts:
White-Winged Doves can fly 25 or more miles to find water. In the Sonoran Desert, they are able to obtain needed moisture from saguaro cactus fruit. When migrating they can travel in groups of up to 4000 birds to nesting sites.–Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
From Birds and Blooms about Mourning Doves:
They are gentle, quiet, and calming birds known for their soft cooing and for feeding on ground-scattered seeds, often helping clean up feeders. They are viewed as symbols of peace, love, and hope, often nesting on flat surfaces like planters, patio eaves, or windowsills.
Fun Cardinal Facts:
Photos below of Red, the male, and Mrs., the female half of the Northern Cardinal couple, who live in the wash behind our home.
Northern Cardinals are iconic, non-migratory songbirds known for their brilliant red plumage, distinctive crests, and year-round presence in North America. Both males and females sing, with females often singing from the nest to communicate with their mates. They are monogamous, highly territorial, and are the state bird for seven US states. — Birds and Blooms
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?
