Jun 22 2015

Spring Memories ~ II

Melissa Crytzer Fry

As promised: a continuation of last week’s springtime images in the desert. Click to enlarge and see details! Happy Official Start of Summer (even though this is the time of year we Arizonans hide indoors!).

Stormy skies illuminate vibrant paloverde blooms.

Stormy skies illuminate vibrant paloverde blooms.

The camouflage of the diamondback rattlesnake will never cease to amaze me.

The diamondback rattlesnake’s camo will never cease to amaze – and humble – me.

Desert cottontail enjoying spring greens.

Desert cottontail enjoying spring greens.

It's getting a little tight in here!

It’s getting a little tight in here!

Morning moon peeking through cloud cover.

Morning moon peeking through cloud cover.

It's almost fledge time for the hummie twins (Brian and Stewie).

It’s almost fledge time for the hummie twins (Brian and Stewie).

Also fluttering about the ranch: flycatchers (& babies!)

Also fluttering about the ranch: flycatchers (& babies!)

And we're out of the nest (but still together in the paloverde tree)!

And we’re out of the nest (but still together in the paloverde tree)!

These Reakirt's Blue moths congregated near a garage spigot.

These Reakirt’s Blue moths congregated near a garage spigot.

Red-tailed hawk after shaking his tail feathers.

Red-tailed hawk after shaking his tail feathers.

This venomous Gila Monster's legs were stuck behind a stool until I (cautiously) freed him.

This venomous Gila Monster’s legs were stuck behind a stool until I freed him.

This scraggly, scruffy, fuzzy donkey walked right up to me during a Jeep ride. We call him Scruzzy.

This scraggly, scruffy, fuzzy donkey walked right up to me during a Jeep ride. We call him Scruzzy.

This is one of my favorite Arizona lizards: the long-nosed leopard lizard (behind our house).

This is one of my favorite Arizona lizards: the long-nosed leopard lizard.

Desert sunrise from my rooftop. Splintered saguaro spines at left.

Desert sunrise from my rooftop. Splintered saguaro spines at left.

Enjoy the outdoors while I’m sequestered inside – in the air conditioning!

 


16 Responses to “Spring Memories ~ II”

  • Cherry Says:

    Hi Melissa I am entranced by the beauty of your photos . I can’t pick one because I love them all …oh ok then I have a soft spot for the donkey .
    Are the mornings and evenings cooler for you ?
    I live in West Wales it was sunny but a chilly breeze yesterday . We still have to light our fire in the evening . The beauty of living here is watching the sunset at 10/ 10.30 last night . We are lucky and fill our boots with light .
    Keep cool
    Cherryx

    [Reply]

    Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:

    Yes, mornings last week were in the 70s at about 5:30 a.m., and evenings tend to cool down a little. But now we’re into our humid season, so it’s pretty brutal sun-up to sunset! A light fire in the evenings sounds LOVELY — and so does the extended sunlight! Thank you for the compliments on the photos.

    [Reply]

  • Cynthia Robertson Says:

    Gorgeous, Melissa! What a unique assortment of critters in this post – the moths are so beautiful, and the Gila Monster, yikes!

    [Reply]

    Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:

    Yes, we were lucky to see a host of animals this spring. Currently, we’ve got SO MANY recently fledged birds seeking shelter under our breezeway from this heat: about 8 baby black-throated sparrows, four baby cactus wrens, a pair of towhees, and our resident Say’s Phoebes (who are on batch no. 2 of babies).

    [Reply]

  • Nina Says:

    Incredible! You know– in these seasons (years!) we have known each other in this blogging space I feel I’ve really come to know your corner of the world through your photos and posts.

    [Reply]

    Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:

    And you’re likely thinking: I don’t think I would ever want to live there — especially given that this time of year we keep a ‘spider cup’ out at all times, to relocate the large ones that somehow find their way into the coolness of the house ! πŸ˜‰

    [Reply]

  • Judith Starkston Says:

    Beautiful! Everybody comes to visit you.

    [Reply]

    Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:

    I was told we get so much wildlife because of our location right next to a large wash that feeds into the San Pedro (this also means lots of BEE visitors, too). Sadly, our annual visitor duo of mama deer and baby buck didn’t happen this year. I fear she was the deer that was struck by a semi in front of our house months ago :-(.

    [Reply]

    Judith Starkston Reply:

    Perhaps we should have a moment of silence at the next HNS meeting.

    [Reply]

  • Diann Says:

    Melissa, seriously beautiful. Your photos transport me.

    [Reply]

    Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:

    Thank you, Diann. What a wonderful compliment!

    [Reply]

  • Leah Says:

    As usual, gorgeous photos! I love the little cotton tail and Sophie was especially interested in the Gila Monster. It’s so neat how you have your own animal kingdom in your backyard. Happy Summer!

    [Reply]

    Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:

    I like to think of it the same way: Melissa’s Animal Kingdom. Ha ha. If Sophie ever sees a Gila Monster, make sure she stays far way; they’re venomous and, I just learned, have a pretty good lunge. Mostly, they want to get away from humans and are pretty slow-moving. I love their geometric patterns!

    [Reply]

  • Laurie Buchanan Says:

    Melissa – I love that you share nature β€” in your corner of the world β€” with your readers. And bless you for freeing the Gila Monster; that took guts!

    [Reply]

  • BioFotoProfil Says:

    hai…
    it’s amazing photo

    [Reply]

  • Dave Grober Says:

    Happy New Year Melissa & Steve!
    Your photography is (almost) as good as your writing. Thanks for the update.
    Dave & Grobers

    [Reply]

Leave a Comment