Spring Memories
We hit 108 degrees today in the desert, which seemed the perfect time to reminisce, pictorially, about the incredible spring we experienced … and to finally put some long overdue springtime photos on my blog.
As you’ll see, the desert was hopping and bopping with wildlife (click each photo to enlarge for greater detail. Really, you should):
Lone quail amid spring wildflowers.
An elaborate spider web hovers above barrel cacti much like a feathery dome.
Female phainopepla with her stunning red eyes!
Nesting great-horned owl back behind the train trestle.
Behind our home.
Have I mentioned how much I love our railroad ravens?
Yes, that is a teensy-weensie hummingbird head!
Look how quickly we’re growing.
And we can’t forget about our fledging Say’s Phoebe babies.
Mama Black-chinned hummer tending to her growing babies.
The problem with not posting in months? I have many more photos I want to share (including our successfully fledged hummer babies), which I hope to do next week. I just can’t seem to catch my breath this year, but am also hoping to soon share a post that I think you will find buzz-worthy – in the most literal sense of the word “BUZZZZ.”
June 15th, 2015 at 8:10 pm
I love all these feathered friends. We had a birdy spring in our yard, but you have way more fun and variety. Plus you actually grab a camera and know how to use it. I seem incapable of documenting anything via photos, so it’s lovely to enjoy yours.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
June 15th, 2015 at 9:00 pm
Yes, it’s been a birdy spring indeed — and we currently have baby sparrows all over the place, plus itty-bitty quail (love them). Well, I don’t confess to knowing HOW to use my camera. I just get lucky! So happy you enjoyed!
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June 16th, 2015 at 4:00 am
YES, you do know how to use your camera! Beautiful shots once again Melissa. Thank you. Yesterday I saw a mother partridge and one of her just born balls of fuzz. It is amazing how many of the just hatched chicks look similar. It reminded me of a quail chick.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
June 16th, 2015 at 9:10 am
I would love to see a partridge family! I’m sure the wildlife there is equally breathtaking and beautiful.
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June 16th, 2015 at 8:41 am
So magical, Melissa! Definitely brought back memories for me, too. I haven’t posted in months, either (this year has just been crazy…or is it that each year gets crazier and crazier, lol?) but I loved seeing these pictures and reminiscing. Hope all’s well! ::big hug::
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
June 16th, 2015 at 9:12 am
I think each year DOES get crazier (and I think the novelty of blogging has worn off and/or that our priorities have changed a bit] since we began all those years ago. And that’s OK!)
You’ll be in for a treat next week … That Scruzzy photo I tweeted is going to show up on the blog. I will always think of you when I see that little guy! Hugs back — and come visit again :-).
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June 16th, 2015 at 9:29 am
Gorgeous, Melissa! We had an exceptional spring, didn’t we? Now the long hot stretch is here. Your photos make me remember those lovely months. You have so much talent at catching just the right pose/moment – I feel that owl’s gaze like a field mouse might. I love how attuned you are to all the life around you.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
June 17th, 2015 at 9:03 am
Yes, spring was so fabulous (it spoiled us a bit, didn’t it?)… Thanks for the lovely compliment regarding catching poses/moments on film. But even more, thanks for the comment about being attended to life around me. It’s so important to me, and if I’m NOT outdoors amid nature in some way, I become a little crazy.
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June 16th, 2015 at 10:00 pm
Hi Melissa , you must be sizzling in your shorts right now in your lovely desert . What delightful photos . My favourite has to be the Phoebe babies . I have never heard of a Phoebe but they have similarities to our blackbird her in the UK . They make me chuckle cos they look so indignant…where is my dinner Mum ???…bless
I love the atmosphere you create with your photos …splendid
Cherryx
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
June 17th, 2015 at 9:06 am
Ha – sizzling in my shorts is RIGHT. It was so hot standing in the sun yesterday it literally felt like my skin was on fire, even from a limited amount of sun exposure! Yes, the phoebes are so sweet – and a lovely little peuur sound (I thought the same thing — definitely a “don’t mess with me” look on their faces!). Thank you so much for the compliment regarding photo atmosphere. I just get lucky with some willing subjects on occasion!
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June 17th, 2015 at 11:04 am
Melissa!! I love these photos! Man, I miss AZ. But the one of the spiderweb over the cactus reminded me of a totally “B Movie” that starred William Shatner back in the 80s. I think it was a TV movie, “Kingdom of the Spiders.” The final shot is the camera panning backwards, showing how the house is completely encased in a web… Cue creepy music! =)
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