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December 2007 |
2007 Newsletter |
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Click here to View or download a roundup of 2007 which we
sent out as our newsletter at Christmas. |
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5th
March (Update 10th October) 2007 |
Have They Survived? |
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The 3 days of freezing temperatures in January hit about half of
all my plants. Most of the small plants and shrubs have started
to grow again, and although now significantly smaller in size,
they should grow back quickly.
But... the trees (some of which are quite large and
probably 10 years old) show no signs of recovery..... yet.
Click below to see the photos then see
if they Survived
See Photos
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14th
January, 2007 |
Freezing Desert |
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21F
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Sunday January 14th,
2007 - was the coldest morning since 1990, just 21F where we
live (27F Downtown Phoenix). Monday and Tuesday continued the
cold spell. A lot of plants were
damaged by the freezing temperatures (See the
Photos) and the
Pool plunged to its lowest temperature so far - 45F.
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3rd
June, 2006 |
The First 110F of the year
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110F
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Saturday June 3rd,
2006 was the first 110F day of the year.
The next temperature milestone - 120F - has only ever been
achieved three times before:
122 on June 26, 1990
121 on July
28, 1995
120 on June
25, 1990
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20th May, 2006 |
Arnie - shhhhhhh!
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We have a couple of gorgeous cats, Arnie and Slinky. They are
supposed to be Brothers (See the
photos for
yourself). Every evening, once the kids have gone to bed, Arnie
decides to call Slinky for a game. Trouble is, he sits at the
front of the house, where he can get the most echos and gets the
attention of the whole house! Listen
to his wailing to hear for yourself! |
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11th May, 2006 |
The First 100F of the year
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100F
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Thursday May 11th,
2006 was the first 100F day of the year.
The last day of 100F temperatures is on average October 3rd.
The average number of days in the year that the temperature is
100F or above is 89.
Hottest ever
122F! |
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20th
April, 2006 |
Noisy Neighbors!
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Click picture to enlarge
(Picture obtained from web) |
April has got to be
one of the best times of year here in Phoenix. Warm/hot days
(80's) and cool breezy nights where we can have the Windows open
for one last month. Mid-April a loud cricket like noise started
about every 20 seconds and lasted about 5 seconds each time.
Click here to listen to the MP3.
At first I thought it was a problem with a fan or the pool. Upon
investigating, it was coming from our neighbors back yard. They
have a pond, so I suspected this was a Toad and not a bug.
Researching online, the most likely culprit is the Red Spotted
Toad. |
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Please Rain!
I never thought I
would say this, but I was glad to see rain! It has been 143 days (5 Months!)
since it has rained
here in Phoenix which is the new record for the driest period in
Phoenix History! The dry spell first started on
October 18th, 2005 and ended when heavy rain arrived March 11th, 2006,
breaking another record. 1.40" of rain fell in one day, breaking
the previous record of 0.90".
Amazingly, just North of us also received snow (See article below) at just 2000 feet. |
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Click snow picture to enlarge |
Snow in Phoenix?
Well not quite, but
it did snow in Cave Creek, Carefree, and New River (just 10
miles north from where we live)! Check out the photo (left)
taken on March 12th 2006 from the Carefree Highway looking North.
More Photo's available when the Photo's page is completed. |
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Picture of coyote taken from Back garden |
Coyotes
Ever heard a Coyote
Howling ? We hear them most nights during the cooler months.
Download the
Coyote Howling MP3 to hear a
clip I captured from our garden.
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Picture of Desert/Giant Hairy Scorpion caught in Back Garden |
Scorpions
These
scorpions grow to about 6 inches long and the sting is said
to be painful but not dangerous. Sam found this one when
playing in the rocks! |
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Bark Scorpion caught in House |
These scorpions only grow to 2-3 inches
but are the most venomous. This is the type that put Matthew
in hospital for 4 days!
The suspected entry this scorpion got in through, has now
been sealed, and we have since got 2 cats which are
apparently immune to Scorpions. |
