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I need more batteries...
Random Pictures Thread
- Thread starter ripjack13
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This isn't Texas.If'n that was me, y'all would never have seen a picture.
Me too. Oh, did I say that out loud?If'n that was me, y'all would never have seen a picture.
I like the price tags - $1.99.
But I use common sense in my enforcement duties
You ought to move to Texas!
I'd be the only person with it down there!
The lilac out back is having a good year. Smells great on our deck.
Cholla. Cylindroputia Versecolor. These are on my property. Since I'm color blind and don't really see the colors most people see, I myself see at least 4 different colors in 8 photos.
Jerry (in Tucson)
Jerry (in Tucson)
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Saguaro. Both these are about 8 feet from my house. The arms on the one are only about 3 years old and I have never seen that many flower pods on any Saguaro since I moved to Tucson in '73. We had a lot of rain last year, and this winter was also pretty wet for this area. Look closely at the 3-4 o'clock position for the Palo Verde seed pods just starting. I hope I can get to them before they harden as they are delicious when before they mature and are still soft and green. I have about a 3 day window to do this, so can't be distracted or blink as I'll miss it again, like the last 20 years.
Same cactus. It looks like it's going to lose it's top in a few years as it is leaning some, but where it starts leaning is about 18" from the top. I hope I live long enough to see the outcome.
My west neighbors Saguaro. That one has just a few flower pods.
This particular Saguaro was only about 3 feet tall in '92 when I bought this place. It was knocked over in '94 by my 79 Chevy that was parked on a slope just above it. The Park position in my transmission just gave way, the steering wheel was locked with the wheels turned left, and my truck rolled into it and knocked it over. Didn't hurt it at all. I transplanted on flatter ground. It's now well over 15 feet tall, has arms that sprouted out last year. Probably in 2 years there will be flowers on those arms. Supposedly, a Saguaro does not sprout arms until it's about 75 years old. I believe this one is trying to change the growing habits of Saguaros. At 3 feet high when I moved in, it was probably 15 years old in '92. Now 32 years later, it should be about 45-50 years old.
These were planted from seed in October, 2008. I planted 17 of them under one of my 2 Mesquites. About 6 years later, I found one that had started naturally under the tree. So far, 7 have died and have only 11 left. They look pretty healthy. That pipe is laundry and shower water going down to the Osage Orange trees I planted in '05-06. There are 3 I got from a Knapper in Arkansas as 2 year old seedlings?. Now, I have 11 from those 3, and will probably have a couple more before this winter. There is Eucalyptus logs and a bunch of Texas flint shards under this tree.
I just took this picture on my property this morning, but as I type this, I have no clue where on the property it is.
All total, with all that I planted, plus the wild Saguaros, I have at least 100 on 1 1/2 acres. Not bad for the desert.
I will have about half of the flowers that germinate and create a fruit that is just about as good as a Strawberry, with the exception of the seeds being inside the fruit instead of the outside like strawberries. Getting them is a hassle as the White Wing Dove love them as much as I do. When the pods start turning red, there might be a 2 day window before they open. After opening with a little help from the birds, the pods open and then it's too late to harvest them unless all I want is the seeds. Again, since I'm colorblind, red is hard for me to see looking up into the tops with a sky blue background. It all still looks like what I think is a green, which I can't see well either. .............. Jerry (in Tucson)
Same cactus. It looks like it's going to lose it's top in a few years as it is leaning some, but where it starts leaning is about 18" from the top. I hope I live long enough to see the outcome.
My west neighbors Saguaro. That one has just a few flower pods.
This particular Saguaro was only about 3 feet tall in '92 when I bought this place. It was knocked over in '94 by my 79 Chevy that was parked on a slope just above it. The Park position in my transmission just gave way, the steering wheel was locked with the wheels turned left, and my truck rolled into it and knocked it over. Didn't hurt it at all. I transplanted on flatter ground. It's now well over 15 feet tall, has arms that sprouted out last year. Probably in 2 years there will be flowers on those arms. Supposedly, a Saguaro does not sprout arms until it's about 75 years old. I believe this one is trying to change the growing habits of Saguaros. At 3 feet high when I moved in, it was probably 15 years old in '92. Now 32 years later, it should be about 45-50 years old.
These were planted from seed in October, 2008. I planted 17 of them under one of my 2 Mesquites. About 6 years later, I found one that had started naturally under the tree. So far, 7 have died and have only 11 left. They look pretty healthy. That pipe is laundry and shower water going down to the Osage Orange trees I planted in '05-06. There are 3 I got from a Knapper in Arkansas as 2 year old seedlings?. Now, I have 11 from those 3, and will probably have a couple more before this winter. There is Eucalyptus logs and a bunch of Texas flint shards under this tree.
I just took this picture on my property this morning, but as I type this, I have no clue where on the property it is.
All total, with all that I planted, plus the wild Saguaros, I have at least 100 on 1 1/2 acres. Not bad for the desert.
I will have about half of the flowers that germinate and create a fruit that is just about as good as a Strawberry, with the exception of the seeds being inside the fruit instead of the outside like strawberries. Getting them is a hassle as the White Wing Dove love them as much as I do. When the pods start turning red, there might be a 2 day window before they open. After opening with a little help from the birds, the pods open and then it's too late to harvest them unless all I want is the seeds. Again, since I'm colorblind, red is hard for me to see looking up into the tops with a sky blue background. It all still looks like what I think is a green, which I can't see well either. .............. Jerry (in Tucson)
Cactus blooms are some of the most vibrant blossoms anywhere. They don't last long and they don't have the most pollinators around so they need to attract all they can, while they can. And the saguaro blossoms are white and always at the very tip of the branches because their primary pollinators are bats. The white flowers are easier seen at night when the bats are out and the high elevation of the blossoms makes it easier for thr bats to access. Pretty cool you've been able to grow those saguaros Jerry. The desert is a fascinating contradiction.
Okay, that ends this weeks desert ecology 101, there will be a quiz next week.
Okay, that ends this weeks desert ecology 101, there will be a quiz next week.
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Alright Doug, I got a picture of a Bat pollinating one of my Saguaros. But, it's at about 8AM a couple days ago. Enjoy.
.............. Jerry (in Tucson)
Nice white-winged dove. But I'm afraid you might have fertilizing confused with pollinating.
Yep, they cross the border illegally every year about the end of April. The good thing is, they are on their way back to Mexico on September 2, as Dove season usually starts on September 1. After the 3rd, you won't see any until next spring.
I don't see any burd turds on those pods. How could they be fertilizing them? ........... Jerry (in Tucson)
I forgot to mention the White thin cactus on the right of the Saguaro. It is a "Mexican Old Man" cactus. I bought it in 1978 when it was in a 2x2" planter thing at JC Penney. It was only about an inch and a half tall then. When I moved here in '92, it was only about 6" tall when I planted it next to this Saguaro. It's about 6 feet tall now and sprouted a young'n a few years ago. Last December I had a Machete and was trying to chop off some of those Agave leaves/pads or whatever you want to call them. Several cut much better than I figured, and accidentally put 2 six inch long slashes on the side you can't see. I was almost as heart broken as I was with that snake I posted about a few days ago. That Mexican Old Man is like family. They don't exist anymore here in Tucson in most of the nurseries, and I have never seen any in yards in neighborhoods I do work in
Here are the two cuts.I was doing a back swing as I believe my arm was hurting pretty bad and couldn't do a normal forward swing. It didn't hurt I hope.
This is what I was trimming. Blue Agave. One is a transplant from a 6" tall baby from a customers house. Now, I have about 25 on the property, and have given at least that many away. They grow like weeds. The only benefit is if I wanted, I could make some Tequila from them, or cook and eat them.
Hey @DLJeffs , I messed with the white balance and above is what happened. The cactus colors are very close, but the suns glare makes things too light. More messing around I suppose. .............. Jerry (in Tucson)
Here are the two cuts.I was doing a back swing as I believe my arm was hurting pretty bad and couldn't do a normal forward swing. It didn't hurt I hope.
This is what I was trimming. Blue Agave. One is a transplant from a 6" tall baby from a customers house. Now, I have about 25 on the property, and have given at least that many away. They grow like weeds. The only benefit is if I wanted, I could make some Tequila from them, or cook and eat them.
Hey @DLJeffs , I messed with the white balance and above is what happened. The cactus colors are very close, but the suns glare makes things too light. More messing around I suppose. .............. Jerry (in Tucson)
Thanks for explaining about the Old Man cactus. I think I've seen one before but not in the wild. I recall the long stringy needles.
Regarding the photos - now they're just a little over exposed. Your camera is probably averaging the light readings it is taking - most cameras have several sensors around the frame. And the average is darker than the brighter areas, so when the camera selects an exposure, it's a little too long for the brighter areas, like the surfaces of the leaves, the sunlit gravel in the background, etc. Check to see if you can choose a specific spot meter reading (typically it'll show a matrix of little squares or circles and you move a cursor around to choose one. I leave my camera on the center, single spot, since that's typically where I'm focusing. You can also lower the ISO setting on bright shots, but you'll have better success if you can pick an exposure.
Around here, if you want to kill a poisonous snake, you have to get a permit first.
That process takes about 14 months now. Yeah, right. If I see a copperhead on my property, you think me or the snake is going to wait 14 months for me to get a fricking permit?
I like to go for walks and bike rides on trails that used to be railroad lines. We’ve got a bunch to choose from in our area.
Saw this Black Locust in full bloom. Also, close up of the bark. Deep furrows and has a somewhat zig-zag pattern. Although native to Illinois, now considered an invasive species according to some sources.
Saw this Black Locust in full bloom. Also, close up of the bark. Deep furrows and has a somewhat zig-zag pattern. Although native to Illinois, now considered an invasive species according to some sources.
Actually a really nice tree in bloom! Makes such great lumber! Chuck