Dying Coyote

While picking up my trail camera, I came across this dying coyote. The way it trembles makes me think it may have been bitten by a rattlesnake.

Arizona Haboob

We had a massive dust storm (haboob) come through the park. It was short lived but definitely interesting...

Looks like it was filmed on the planet Mars

Photo courtesy of Ellen Capps

Sports Drink

Javelinas

My cellular trail cam is working well, but so far the only videos I have been getting are of javelinas...

Cellular Trail Camera

I have been using traditional trail cameras to record videos of desert animals visiting a natural spring about 2 miles from my house. However in order to retrieve the videos, I had to physically visit the site to access the SD card. Fortunately, they now have cellular trail cameras that allow you view your videos remotely from anywhere in the world via the Internet. 

I recently purchased a very affordable cell cam on Amazon for $41.99 that comes with a 7-day free and unlimited trial data plan. After that you need to choose a cell plan starting at 19.99/month or $169.99/year per device. Here is the first video I downloaded from the comfort of my recliner.

Rattlesnake

While walking around the house this morning, I came across a huge rattlesnake coiled up against my neighbor's place. Fortunately, we have an individual in the park who captures and relocates them out in the desert (hopefully, in a different zip code).

Click on image to enlarge

Here's another photo that gives you a better sense of how big it is...

Look at the number of buttons on the tail

Lastly, here's a link to Scott's video of the release: https://www.facebook.com/1252588536/videos/765415452745361/

Amazon Overnight Delivery

I just received my first Amazon overnight delivery. I ordered everything yesterday around 2:00 pm and it was here this morning at 5:05 am...

I live out in the desert 10-15 miles from the nearest shopping centers which makes being able to order items from the comfort of my home and then have them delivered to my doorstep extremely convenient. Amazon has developed and implemented an outstanding business model.

Cute Video

Kick-start Demo

Here's a demonstration of the proper way to kick-start an engine on today's cars. Make sure the audio is on.

Luxury RV

I almost bought this RV but was concerned that I might get a flat...

The Elastic Dancer

Could this be where Michael Jackson and James Brown got some of their dance moves...

Summer Heat

In case you have been waiting for it to warm up here in Southern Arizona before visiting the area, now is your chance...

Humanoid Robots

The future of manual labor is here...

Full Self-Driving Cars

The future of driving is here...

U.S. Constitution

The U.S. Constitution is 236 years old. It is amazing that something written so long ago has held up so well during that time. Can you imagine today's politicians doing to that?

Arizona Bobcat

Here's my first trail cam video of an Arizona bobcat. It looks a little skinny. I think it needs to eat something other than weeds...

DIY Air Purifier

While looking at YouTube videos, I came across an idea for building an air purifier for your home. Basically, you tape a quality filter that traps particles such as dust, pollen, spores, bacteria, rattlesnakes, etc. to the back of a large fan. Hopefully, the condition of the filter in a month or so will tell me if it is working. It may be a little harder on the fan motor, but a $7 filter sure beats a $700 Dyson purifier.

MERV 8 rated filter

Trail Cam Video

I set the trail cam out by a natural spring in the desert to see what critters are visiting the waterhole...

Humidifier

You normally run a humidifier in the winter months. However, with our current humidity around 7%, I am running mine at full blast here in June. It keeps my nose from bleeding and reduces static electricity to the point that I do not go around electrocuting small appliances...

Wimps

As of today, my next door neighbors and I are the only ones left on our street. All those wimps that cannot handle triple digit temperatures have fled to cooler climes. 😄

Monsoon Rain

Early this morning a little after 2:00 a.m. a massive thunderstorm with heavy winds and rain hit the park. As far as I can tell, there was no major damage, but it did cause some serious washouts...

Click on image to enlarge

After a long period of drought, I actually enjoy the rain. However, I could do without the wind as it has damaged my carport twice which makes me a little nervous whenever it gets too high.

AI Photo Editing

The park removed the flower bed in front of my neighbor's park model which has a great view of the Superstition Mountains...

So... I thought it would be a good idea to spoof him with a AI generated image of his new view...

Click on image to enlarge

This technology is becoming scary good. You have to wonder if at some point digital photos will not be allowed in court due to the ability to manipulate them.

Nice Weather

This Spring in southern Arizona has had some of the best weather I have experienced in the 14 years I have been visiting the area. Granted we could use some rain as it has been very dry, but the cooler temperatures and low humidity have made for some very pleasant days. And it looks like it may continue for a little longer...

The average high temperature in June is 104 F

In North Carolina where I grew up, it was generally a race between the temperature and humidity in the summer months to see which would get to 100 first. That makes for some very unpleasant days. If you have never experienced high temperatures with low humidity like we have here, you might be surprised at what a difference it makes. In addition, you become somewhat acclimatized to the warmer weather to the point that I now think anything below 60 F is cold!

Life In The Fast Lane

Interesting information about our planet:

• At the equator, the Earth's rotational speed is approximately 1,000 miles per hour
• The Earth's orbital speed around the sun is about 67,000 miles per hour
• Our Solar System is moving through space at a speed of around 448,000 miles per hour
• The Milky Way galaxy is traveling through space at 1.34 million miles per hour
  

I am thinking of putting a safety belt on my recliner just in case we run into something.

Tour de France Training

My neighbor, Glenn, has been training for the Tour de France this summer. Here's a video showing his progress to date...

At the rate he is improving, I may have to invest in one of those high speed cameras that tracks speeding bullets!