nevermore...

The Raven

                                      by  Edgar Allan Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—

    While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—

            Only this and nothing more.” 

 

(yes, I know he isn't a raven, perhaps a thrasher?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was in middle school, we were required to memorize and recite a stanza from a favorite poem.  I really don't remember this as a favorite poem.  Maybe it was October?  Of course, if you read this whole poem, you will know that it took place in December.  We do love Edgar Allan Poe in October. 

 

I haven't decorated for Halloween yet.  I have been enjoying fall too much but there is always a nod to Edgar in my decorating and I will share it soon.  Meanwhile, the reason for all of this, is a visitor who doesn't want to leave.  He is continually "rapping, rapping, tapping" on my window.  He isn't a raven but I am guessing they would be very good friends.  I also think he is some sort of thrasher who loves himself very much.  I do love all the nature that surrounds our home but this guy seems to know just when to start to make sure that he startles me.

 

Then he started to seem to get really mad when there was no response to his pecking.  It got louder, stronger and I worried about my windows surviving.  I would shoo him away. I had to get right to the window and tap on it myself before he would move.  He had no problem with me taking these pictures through the windows. 

I closed the blinds, I opened the blinds, I raised the blinds, nothing seemed to work.  I guess I channeled my inner Sheldon (Big Bang Theory) and decided that maybe putting a framed photograph of my son (no offense, M, it was handy because I am moving things around) facing out through the window might startle him.  Just like Sheldon and his blue jay, it didn't work.  When I heard him tapping, he couldn't see me so I just rocked the picture back and forth, hoping it would be more intimidating.  

So far, no tapping. 

    Hope you are enjoying October!  It has been beautiful here today.

Added 2 hours later:  He's back.  Maybe I should frame a picture of Poe instead?  Any ideas how to discourage him?

oh, my, it's been a long time...

My blog has been "broken" for quite a while. User error, I am sure. Every time I would find a moment to work on it, my frustration won. Yesterday, WB sat down with me, working on two computers, we were able to get things figured out. I only lost one post that I am aware of and hopefully, all will be well from now on.

There is no way to update what has happened since I was here last. Let's just say there were incredible joys and deep sorrows. As always, I try to be grateful for the joy and learn from the sorrow.

I hope to post more regularly from now on. I know a lot of you have enjoyed the photos of the bobcats who like to hang around here. I will start there. Mama and her two babies came to visit. Like many siblings, one was a dare devil while the other was cautious. Mama found a dove for dinner while one baby climbed a tree and the other looked nervous about it. Baby managed to get down and they all enjoyed dinner. Luckily, my kitchen window was clean enough so I was able to shoot through it. I am constantly distracted from the work at hand when I look out that window.

Thank you to all who are still even checking Among the Saguaros. I look forward to catching up with you all.

flying saucer...

The desert is in bloom. I intended on sharing those photos today but no time to write much this morning. This is the queen of them all so for today, the post will be dedicated to our flying saucer cactus.

A couple of weeks ago, it looked like this.

I was sure I took a photo yesterday of the buds again but I guess not. This time of year, I spend more time with the roses and the iris. But this morning, I walked out front and found this.


The blooms are eight inches in diameter.

sacred datura...

The first sacred datura opened yesterday. Sacred datura is a desert perennial. It often opens at night and will be gone within the first few hours of sunlight. Yesterday, it lasted a bit longer. Sacred datura are poisonous so the many critters who love to eat anything around here will leave these alone. The blossoms are about eight inches tall and six inches across.

This is an unopened bud.
Their shape makes me pull out my camera every time.

There is so much beauty to be found in the Sonoran desert.

the ocotillos are blooming...

winter wonderland, Arizona style...

It isn't unheard of to get snow here but usually it is flurries and nothings sticks. This was different. Big, wet glorious flakes that actually stuck to the ground. I didn't need to drive to a higher elevation. The snow was here. At my home. It started around noon and we got a couple of inches.
It started melting and then began to snow again. I was making soup. It took me twice as long because with each ingredient added, I allowed myself to go back outside with the camera. It was 71° degrees yesterday when I photographed my apple blossoms. Sure looked different today.
Night fell and we hunkered down with homemade soup and bread with a cozy fire. For the first time ever, we had to remove snow from our satellite dish to be able to watch our beloved Wildcats. The next morning, it hadn't melted. It wasn't snowing any more so I headed out to explore the Sonoran desert in the snow.
There is something about seeing the desert in the snow that takes my breath away. Definitely a Frederick kind of day.

the desert blooms...

We have a garden, walled in the back. Every spring, I delight in the iris, lilies, roses, daffodils and whatever other treasures decide to make an appearance. I spend a lot of time there with my camera. Surrounding us is desert. It, too, has its own beauty in the spring. Most visitors, not familiar with the Sonoran Desert, are surprised at how lush and beautiful it can be. Trees of yellow (palo verde) and lavender (ironwood) catch my eye every single day. I never tire of it. Along with the blooms, we start to see some of the critters that have been hiding for part of the winter. Here is a glimpse but be reminded that despite my best efforts, I never really seem to capture its essence.

cholla blossoms

ocotillo blooms - The hummingbirds and even an oriole (on a migration path, I am sure) have been enjoying these.

desert marigolds

hedgehog cactus blossoms

Many lizards are out hibernation, looking for some sunshine. Their colors always surprise me.

The bunnies are finding more to eat these days. We see them all year round.

A white winged dove and Gila woodpecker sharing some saguaro blossoms with the bees. Doves and bats do most of the saguaro pollination.

This flying saucer cactus has huge blooms on it - about 8 inches in diameter.

This yellow prickly pear blossom will turn into fruit that the tortoises love. So do people.

Another prickly pear blossom, our version of a rose.

Ironwood blossoms are covering the trees. With the yellow palo verde (top picture) and the lavender ironwood, it sure looks like spring around here.

The doves are spending a lot of time near the saguaro flowers.

Another flying saucer flower. They don't last long but they are spectacular.

This was my favorite shot. I try and try to capture quail families. They are such a delight but they move so quickly, that my attempts haven't been very successful. This was Mother's Day morning, a delightful gift. Don't you love the little one on the right?

I love living among the saguaros.

Come see the fun at Seasonal Sundays, Your Sunday Best and Home Sweet Home.