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2013-05-23 14:07:46 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 19 +1s)

Duck your heads!
Red-tailed Hawk fledgling trying some practice flaps, to the seeming annoyance of his siblings!
#raptors   #hawks  

2013-05-22 11:04:31 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Red-tailed Hawk Fledgling
A portrait pose from one of three Red-tailed Hawk fledglings in a nest I've been following.
#birdloversworldwide   #raptors  

2013-05-21 17:53:02 (4 comments, 2 reshares, 12 +1s)

Yummy for the Tummy!
Red-tailed Hawk fledgling chowing down on breakfast this morning! Not sure what he's eating, but it looks a little rare!
#raptors   #birds   #birdloversworldwide   #hawks  

2013-05-21 13:39:23 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

Goldfield Ghost Town
Bridge for mining hopper
#bridgesovertuesday  curated by +Steve Boyko 

2013-05-20 13:59:47 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Gila Woodpecker
Pounding on a palm tree
For #backyardbirdingmonday  curated by +Celeste Odono & +Ricky L Jones 

2013-05-20 13:24:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Striped Tailed Lizard
For #reptilemonday  curated by +Will Pirnasch 

2013-05-19 17:43:41 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 15 +1s)

Look guys, I can fly!
Red-tailed hawk fledglings preparing for their first flight!
For #birdsofpreysunday  curated by +Jeffrey Van Daele & +Diego Cattaneo 

2013-05-19 11:29:15 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

Whatcha Eatin' Pal!
Young Red-tailed Hawks having a discussion over breakfast!
For #birdsofpreysunday  curated by +Jeffrey Van Daele & +Diego Cattaneo 
#hawks   #birdloversworldwide  

2013-05-18 19:52:29 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Cactus Wren
Bringing a nice juicy moth for her little ones lunch!
For #songbirdsaturday  Curated by +John Briggs 
#birdloversworldwide  

2013-05-17 13:56:07 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Star Trek Into Darkness
Since this past Tuesday was the wife's birthday, I decided to treat her to a "Chick Flick" (there are at least 2 or 3 chicks in it) and take to the opening night!
She is actually thrilled about it!
http://www.startrekmovie.com/

2013-05-17 10:42:40 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Just Cleaned Machine
For #fourwheeledfriday  curated by +Akhil Kalsh & +Annelies Kroen 

2013-05-17 10:27:19 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

One Day Cactus Bloom
When I looked out the window Wednesday morning, this bloom was on our cactus. We had never seen it bloom in the 7 years since we bought the house. Thursday morning it was shriveled and gone.
For #floralfriday  curated by +Tamara Pruessner  

2013-05-16 11:51:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Morning Flowers
It seems that Google + has decided to make uploading to an album an absolute horror for those of us who like to upload to specific albums.
I never thought I'd see the day when it was easier to upload to Facebook than here, but they've managed to pull it off!

2013-05-13 12:00:27 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Sparrow
I know it's probably been forever since any of you has seen one of these birds (if you haven't been outside in several months), but here's one of my local sparrows, for those of you who are missing them! He was kind enough to briefly pose for me.
For #backyardbirdingmonday  curated by +Celeste Odono & +Ricky L Jones 

2013-05-12 11:17:03 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Dinner Time
Red-tailed Hawk chick finishing off one of several ground squirrels Mom brought home for dinner while one of his two siblings looks on!
For #birdsofpreysunday  curated by +Jeffrey Van Daele & +Diego Cattaneo 

2013-05-12 11:10:00 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 11 +1s)

The Three Musketeers
Young Red-tailed Hawks awaiting Mom's return with dinner!
For #birdsofpreysunday  curated by +Jeffrey Van Daele & +Diego Cattaneo 

2013-05-11 10:34:26 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

Adult Verdin
His head feathers have become yellow from his current diet. 
This guy is trying to figure out how to get the goodies out of my hummingbird feeder!
For #songbirdsaturday  curated by +John Briggs
  #housefinches   #housefinch  

2013-05-10 11:51:10 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 15 +1s)

Purple Passion
Another unusual flower I happened to notice on our morning walk. Again, I'm not sure what it is, but I liked it!
For #floralfriday  curated by +Tamara Pruessner, +Beth Akerman, +Eustace James & +Kiki Nelson 
#floralphotography   #floral   #flowers   #flowerphotography   #flowersphotography  

2013-05-10 11:12:28 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 10 +1s)

Red & Yellow
Not quite sure what it is, but I thought it was rather pretty!
For #floralfriday  curated by +Tamara Pruessner, +Beth Akerman, +Eustace James & +Kiki Nelson and for #colorsonfriday  curated by +Karsten Meyer & +Britta Rogge 
#floralphotography   #flowers   #flowerphotography  

2013-05-09 20:35:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Least Sandpiper
Three young Least Sandpipers feeding in the morning sun.
For #thirstythursdaypics  curated by +Giuseppe Basile & +Mark Esguerra 

2013-05-09 20:06:18 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

I'm out of here!
Hummingbird getting tired of the shutter noise!
For #inmotionthursday  curated by +Scott Thomas 

2013-05-07 23:28:41 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Aged Onion Soup
Just had a yummy bowl of onion soup. Love properly aged soups. Just like a fine wine!

2013-05-07 15:40:52 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

Flight of the Red-tailed Hawk
#hawks   #birds4all   #raptors  

2013-05-07 15:48:52 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

Morning Mesquite
Backlit Mesquite tree with Superstition Mountain behind. Taken on our early morning walk with the dogs.
For #treetuesday  curated by +Allan Cabrera, +Ralph Mendoza  +Christina Lawrie & +Shannon S. Myers 
#treephotography   #treesoftheworld  

2013-05-05 16:50:40 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Air Campaign
I was kicking back on the patio, the other afternoon, when my little Jack Russell, Molly came charging out the back door barking her head off at this plane flying over pulling a Geico banner. I guess she thought it was intruding on her airspace!
For #signsunday  curated by +Lori Carey 

2013-05-05 15:46:56 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Sunday Morning Quail
Saw this guy on our morning walk today, sunning himself in the warmth of the rising sun!
For #dawnonsunday  curated by +Ray Bilcliff, +Sherry McBriar, +linda stokes, +Corey Gibson & +Andrew Caldwell 

2013-05-05 11:18:43 (9 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

Whatcha Doin' Down There?
The largest of 3 Red-tailed Hawk chicks checking me out while I'm checking him out!
For #birdsofpreysunday  curated by +Jeffrey Van Daele & +Diego Cattaneo 

2013-05-05 10:48:32 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 6 +1s)

But, He called me a Chicken Hawk!
Red-tailed Hawk chicks, 2-3 weeks old, having a rather animated discussion! The chick on the right seems to have hatched a few days prior to the other two as he's about 25% larger than his siblings. He is also a bit bolder and more inquisitive than his siblings.
They all do seem to get along fairly well, but the larger one seems to like to be at the front of the nest, where he can better see what's going on around them, while the other two tend to stick together towards the rear of the nest.
For #birdsofpreysunday  curated by +Jeffrey Van Daele & +Diego Cattaneo 
#hawks   #raptors   #birdloversworldwide  

2013-05-04 12:20:27 (2 comments, 4 reshares, 13 +1s)

Green Heron
Warming himself in the morning sun at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve.
Not sure if you would exactly call him a songbird as he makes a sound that reminds me of something like a large chicken, but I'm posting him anyway to #songbirdsaturday  curated by +John Briggs 
#waterbirds   #heron   #birdloversworldwide   #birds4all  

2013-05-04 11:27:32 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Reflections
Black-necked Stilts feeding in the morning sun.
For #swampysaturday  curated by +Ray Bilcliff, +Sherry McBriar & +Gail Beerman 
#birdloversworldwide   #birds4all  

2013-05-03 17:44:01 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Cormorant, Morning Sunning
Early morning shoot at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve with +Greg Murray 
Hadn't realized, till I processed the shot, that they have green eyes!

2013-05-03 11:35:35 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Powerline Raven
This guy decided it would be a good idea to land on the power lines, behind my house and chew on one while being perched on another! Still not sure how he kept from being barbecued, but he nibbled for a good ten minutes then flew away!
For #powerlinefriday  curated by +Natosha Davis 
#birdloversworldwide   #ravens  

2013-05-02 19:14:23 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

A Breezy Day
Normally a breezy day consists of the wind blowing my American flag around on the pole in my front yard, but today it's also blowing my Arizona flag around. The only thing, my Arizona flag is tacked to the wall in my garage! Definitely a windy day!

2013-05-02 16:06:39 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

The Raven
On this windy, sunny day,
A raven, boldly flew my way.
With not a sound I could define,
He chewed upon my powerline.
He nibbled here and nibbled there,
As though he didn't have a care.
But soon enough he flew away,
To perhaps return another day!
#ravens   #birdloversworldwide  

2013-04-30 20:29:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Can You Hear Me Now?
I got this in the mail today (I guess for my pending Birthday tomorrow) personally addressed to me, with no clue on the outside of the envelope what it was. I decided to call them. When the gal answered I said "Eh? What did you say? I can't hear you!"
When she finally quit laughing, I asked her if they could just send the junk mail addressed to resident, so I could throw it in the trash without the bother of opening it first!
I think she got the idea!

2013-04-30 17:11:12 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Looks like someone had fun on my favorite stretch of Arizona highway last night. Can't imagine how no one was killed! That's a long way down!
I like the road, but the wife really hates it! Can't understand why!
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Pickup-rolls-off-cliff-near-Tortilla-Flat-4-injured-205389651.html

2013-04-30 15:48:02 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Seed Pod, not an I-Pod
Somehow makes me think of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"!
For #bokehtuesday  curated by +Bob Baxley 

2013-04-28 18:35:56 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Back Off Buddy!
"I already have a contract with Olan Mills for a family portrait!"
Red-tailed Hawk & Chicks
#hawks   #raptors   #birdloversworldwide  

2013-04-28 16:38:44 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Red-tailed Hawk Chicks
This morning I decided to swing by my local nesting Red-tailed Hawk, as it had been a week or two and I figured she should have hatched a couple of chicks by now. Not only had she hatched her chicks, but also had a bonus chick for a total of three! Hadn't ever seen more than two at a time before!
For #birdsofpreysunday  curated by +Jeffrey Van Daele & +Diego Cattaneo  #hawks   #raptors   #birdsinfocus   #redtailedhawk  

2013-04-28 12:15:03 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

Guarding Her Nest
Red-tailed Hawk standing vigil over her nest.
For #birdsofpreysunday  curated by +Jeffrey Van Daele & +Diego Cattaneo 

2013-04-27 15:52:30 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

The Bird and The Bee
Bullock’s Oriole checking out Saguaro blooms with the help of of a honey bee.
For #songbirdsaturday  curated by +John Briggs 

2013-04-26 14:45:22 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 21 +1s)

Bee on Orange Blossom
Just as busy as a ......
For #buggyfriday  curated by +Ray Bilcliff, +Sherry McBriar, +Dorothy Pugh & +Victoria Etna and for #floralfriday  curated by +Tamara Pruessner 

2013-04-26 11:49:46 (9 comments, 2 reshares, 26 +1s)

Red
I have absolutely no idea what kind of flowers these are other than red, but I thought they were pretty!
For #floralfriday  curated by +Tamara Pruessner 

2013-04-26 11:25:19 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Arizona 4x4's
Saw these beasts on our morning walk this past week and thought just how small the Jeep looked beside these monsters. I guess it might be easier to climb up on the roof of the house and jump into the truck than to get into it from the ground. It has to be fun using the ATM at your local bank or the drive through at McDonald's!
For #fourwheeledfriday  curated by +Akhil Kalsh & +Annelies Kroen 

2013-04-26 11:05:01 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 25 +1s)

Full Moon 2/25/2013
I was getting ready to wrap it up for the night when +marit runyon came in and told me "The moon is beautiful tonight. You ought to get a shot of it!" So this is for her and, of course, anyone else who might enjoy a full moon shot!
#fullmoon   #fullmoonphotography   #fullmoonfriday   #moonphotography  

2013-04-25 17:01:04 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Goose in Love!
While photographing at The Gilbert Riparian Preserve with +Greg Murray I happened to shoot a few of this handsome fellow. Apparently he took this as some kind of mating advance, since he swam around the pond following me from place to place and honking at me for some time after! 
Ain't love grand?
For #thirstythursday  curated by +Giuseppe Basile & +Mark Esguerra 

2013-04-24 15:39:07 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Clean Machine
Spent a couple of hours yesterday washing and detailing the Dakota. Of course everyone knows, no detailing is complete without going over the motor as well! Not too bad for an 11 year old truck with almost 107k on the odometer!

2013-04-24 12:24:20 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

American Avocet
I hadn't seen one of these guys before. The description for them doesn't mention Arizona as part of their normal habitat. I guess he was just passing through. At the Gilbert Riparian Preserve with +Greg Murray 
For #waterbirdwednesday  curated by +Sherry McBriar, +Ray Bilcliff & +Margaret Tompkins 

2013-04-23 13:46:14 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Ultimate SUV
Tired of those jerks cutting you off with their lane changes or pulling out or turning in front of you? Drive this bad boy and they'll think twice about that!
From the sign on the windshield it looks like it can be yours for only $14k OBO!
For #transporttuesday  curated by +Gene Bowker, +Joe Paul, +Steve Boyko & +Michael Earley 

2013-04-22 11:53:15 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 19 +1s)

Black Necked Stilt
Searching for breakfast at The Gilbert Riparian Preserve with +Greg Murray 
For #mirrormonday  curated by +Gemma Costa & +Elizabeth Edwards