This year’s monsoon got off to an early start in mid-June, but thus far, we have received just 2.98 inches of rainfall. Many storms have passed by, missing us by only a few miles. Hope for more rain is justified, however, because the summer monsoon season still has a couple of months to go. Summer rain always brings a wonderful blooming of life to this arid landscape, most of which cannot be witnessed at any other times of year. Here is a brief gallery of some of those recent gifts…
Wow! Great collection of monsoon photos Ralph! Ysa and I walk early almost every morning, varying our routes and this morning didn’t yield a whole lot, rabbits, and millipedes (which curiously seem to enjoy feeding on coyote scat of mostly processed mesquite bean pods), a basic assortment. But the accumulation over the past week has been more expansive including many white-tailed deer including a buck with a 4 pt. velvet covered rack as well as two does, one obviously well into pregnancy. A young desert tortoise spotted at the bottom of our driveway one morning and the next morning the same (fairly certain), spotted crossing the road just south of G.U.’s gate. Many tarantula’s and toads, frogs of different varieties. A coachwhip about 5.5ft. that was dark gray/black on top and pink on the bottom. We have lots of javalina visiting the bird feeding/water area here, still with some very young ones and lots of quail with young from ping pong ball sized chicks to those three quarters grown. Watched a covey last evening with a male, female and 5 half grown female chicks and one male. The “family” was headed away from the feeding/water area and the girls all stopped to preen for a moment. The young male wasn’t interested though and turned around to head back towards some seeds. Hilarious to watch the mama chase after him and herd him back towards the rest of the family. Time to go roost. One of these days I will remember to take my phone so I can take some pictures too, or better yet, pull out my old 35 mm.
I have had a plethora of “hummingbird” moths of late. They land on my feet, arms etc. when I am sitting on the porch in the early a.m. and evening. I am seeing them where I used to see bats??
Hope your depression is lifting with this influx of new life Ralph. I can sit in that space right next to you and am challenged daily to lift myself into a different one. A saving grace for me is the early a.m. walks with the dog. I find it serene to begin my day with a whopping dose of quiet, abundant beauty with each morning bringing both familiarity and surprise!
Sure do enjoy reading your information. So different from central KY! I met you several years at the nature conservancy ranch. Have your books which I love.
Hi Perry,
It is nice to hear from you, and I am so glad that you are
reading my blog! Those were wonderful years at Pine Butte Guest Ranch…
Thank you for your kind words and your interest in my books.
Wow! Great collection of monsoon photos Ralph! Ysa and I walk early almost every morning, varying our routes and this morning didn’t yield a whole lot, rabbits, and millipedes (which curiously seem to enjoy feeding on coyote scat of mostly processed mesquite bean pods), a basic assortment. But the accumulation over the past week has been more expansive including many white-tailed deer including a buck with a 4 pt. velvet covered rack as well as two does, one obviously well into pregnancy. A young desert tortoise spotted at the bottom of our driveway one morning and the next morning the same (fairly certain), spotted crossing the road just south of G.U.’s gate. Many tarantula’s and toads, frogs of different varieties. A coachwhip about 5.5ft. that was dark gray/black on top and pink on the bottom. We have lots of javalina visiting the bird feeding/water area here, still with some very young ones and lots of quail with young from ping pong ball sized chicks to those three quarters grown. Watched a covey last evening with a male, female and 5 half grown female chicks and one male. The “family” was headed away from the feeding/water area and the girls all stopped to preen for a moment. The young male wasn’t interested though and turned around to head back towards some seeds. Hilarious to watch the mama chase after him and herd him back towards the rest of the family. Time to go roost. One of these days I will remember to take my phone so I can take some pictures too, or better yet, pull out my old 35 mm.
I have had a plethora of “hummingbird” moths of late. They land on my feet, arms etc. when I am sitting on the porch in the early a.m. and evening. I am seeing them where I used to see bats??
Hope your depression is lifting with this influx of new life Ralph. I can sit in that space right next to you and am challenged daily to lift myself into a different one. A saving grace for me is the early a.m. walks with the dog. I find it serene to begin my day with a whopping dose of quiet, abundant beauty with each morning bringing both familiarity and surprise!
Sure do enjoy reading your information. So different from central KY! I met you several years at the nature conservancy ranch. Have your books which I love.
Hi Perry,
It is nice to hear from you, and I am so glad that you are
reading my blog! Those were wonderful years at Pine Butte Guest Ranch…
Thank you for your kind words and your interest in my books.
Ralph Waldt