Getting There

Kobae has begun wandering down by the solar panels, the pump house, around his pen knocking off some dry foods, primarily Dwarf Lupine. He seems much better in the sand than on the gravel.

Desert Willow

On Friday the first four flowers bloomed on the Desert Willow in front of the lodge. By Saturday there were 20 or so, Sunday a hundred, and come Monday morning it looked like this.

By Air

Each year for one weekend in May a bunch of pilots from surrounding states get together at Caveman Ranch for festivities and some flying.

Kobae Against the World (Just the way he likes it)

A Meal

A Leopard lizard prepares a Whip Tail lizard for consumption. Before and after.

Get Em Kobae

Kobae's leg is feeling a little better. He was down in his hole when he saw the dogs walk by and came out to get them.

The Big Horn Trail

Martha, Gerry, and Tom take the Big Horn trail around the Anti-Cline to the Wind Caves.

Ruby Tuesday

Showy Four O'Clock

Old Friend

In a nearly moon full night on Sunday, Tom laid out the cat food on the front porch expecting Ringtail or Spotted skunk to show up. Through the office blinds he peaked and saw an old friend. Was good to see One Ear again. Couldn't get a picture but he was relaxed, head held up high, alert, and no limp. The months of nursing, hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken pieces made a difference. Here is the first time Tom video'd One Ear and the last time a month or two later.

American Goldfinch

I couldn't resize it. You're gonna have to click on it to make it larger. Two male (brightly colored) and two female American Goldfinch have begun showing up the last few days.

Saddle, Shadow of the Saddle

Rough Mulesears

Pale-Evening Primrose

These originally white flowers turn pink when pollinated by the Sphinx moth.

Whipple's Fishhook Cactus

Apologies to Dirty Harry

Did he eat 17 head of lettuce, or 18? Well in all the confusion, I kind of lost track myself. Considering this is Kobae, the most powerful set of jaws in the canyon lands and can take your finger off with a single bite, you got to ask yourself one question...."Do I feel lucky? Well do ya sucker?" The broom tells us I do not feel lucky. As a result, my name will continue to be "Tom" versus "Nine Fingers," or "Eight" depending on my reflexes and learning curve.

Morning in the River

The Evening

Dwarfs and Not

Dwarf-Evening Primrose, Dwarf Lupine, and Not-A-Dwarf.

The Up's

Each year Who's Up and What's Up, side-blotched lizards that live on the front porch have two clutches laying three to six eggs. Never more than a single newly born side-blotched makes it to maturity. All morning Little Up that survived the late year clutch has been alone on the porch getting the flies. What's Up shows and pushes Little Up onto the wall and gets the next few swatters. For Side-blotched lizards it's all about maintaining territory and What's Up is the gatekeeper. When he leaves to chase off an intruder Who's Up gets as many flies as she can before he returns. Little Up is learning quickly though. What's Up currently has white molding on his tail so is fairly easy to recognize.

Next Time

Next time somebody calls to complain they don't have enough ground clearance or their vehicle is too big......

Happy Birthday Best Friend

I just want to say Happy Birthday to my best friend in the whole wide world. Linny "Open the gate Tom" through the years.........