My apologies, I had to upgrade the site theme to a more modern one since the old one isn’t supported anymore. I don’t like the look of the new theme but it might take me a while to figure out how to fix it or find a better theme. I’ll delete this post once I’ve got things more to my liking.
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How the Brothers Spent New Year’s Eve
Taken on New Year’s Eve but I could have taken the same picture many times this winter. Sam has the bed to himself at the moment as Boo is curled up on my legs.
Eyes in the Sky
Kestrels are one of the birds that live both in our old home in the rainy Northwest and our current home in the arid Southwest. In Washington I’d often see them hovering above a large meadow, looking for Townsend’s voles sneaking through the grasses below. One day I watched one hunting earthworms in the soggy soil like a robin in falcon’s clothing. I’ve seen them a number of times here but have yet to witness the hovering behavior, I’m guessing since they have natural perches that let them sit up high and watch for small creatures without a dense canopy of leaves or needles obscuring the view below.
Taken with the Nikon Z 24-200mm, after buying the Nikon Z fc I liked it enough to immediately buy this lens, partially for environmental portraits like this one of a female kestrel as the clouds rolled in on a December afternoon.
Happy New Year!
In the coming year I hope you can snuggle with your loved ones to your heart’s content, and that you won’t bite someone who’s trying to help you recover from surgery. I realize the latter wish is a bit specific but even so it’s my wish for everyone.
Nobody’s Home?
When someone knocks on your door and you pretend you’re not home, hoping they’ll go away …
Sam’s The Bather
Sam strikes a pose almost like Rodin’s The Thinker but he’s bathing in front of one of the back windows, with an excellent view of the quail feeding by the fence.
The Karate Kid
I don’t know who her opponent is but I feel for them, I’ve seen the movie and know what comes next. I suspect this is the same kestrel as the previous post, I’ve seen a female a few times this month in the same general area of the park. Taken two days ago in the late afternoon as heavy clouds rolled into the desert, the next day they brought a steady rain.
Stay Safe This Christmas!
Kids, be careful opening your presents! Lurking within may be the toy you’ve been dreaming of, or perhaps a ferocious monster eager to devour the naughty and the nice!
Sam of Sun & Shadow
In the high heat of the desert summer even Sam stops seeking out sunbeams to warm his belly as he sleeps. Come cooler weather though, he’s like a flower tracking the sun as it arcs across the sky. A quick snap of one of my favorite models as I learn the new camera.
Favorites
Judging by the white streaks running down the saguaro I’m guessing this kestrel likes this perch. I met her before sunset as I was heading out of the park and couldn’t resist stopping briefly for a picture, I so adore these little falcons. Unlike my time in the Northwest I’ve not gotten to see their hovering pose here in the desert. I think I too would enjoy a nice sit-down given the many high perches nature has graciously provided.
The Spooners
Sam and Boo were sleeping on my legs until I needed to get up, upon return I found this snuggly scene with both brothers having stolen my spot. Couldn’t bear to move them so let them be and sat down beside them.
Boolie 