sunflower fire

This was interesting (though not as interesting as last year's weather phenomenon).

I have my personal neighborhood watch program underway on a daily basis - because my office has a great vantage point to the north and east, also because I'm nosy.

Early this afternoon, I became vaguely aware of a cloud formation to the NE that didn't look quite right.  Seemed too early in the year for a t'storm to be brewing in Mogollon Rim country, plus the formation was odd.  I wasn't aware that any above-ground nuclear testing had been scheduled.  I finally remembered that there was a pretty significant wildfire up toward Payson.

Ah, that's it - this is smoke from a 4500 acre (and growing) fire.  Photo taken from home office, with mobile phone.

Not-so-wildlife

This healthy fellow caught my eye yesterday while I was slaving away working in my home office.

Second time I've seen him wandering through the 'hood in the last couple weeks.

He looks really well fed; perhaps Smokey; perhaps Jo-Jo will encounter him (I'm hoping, in a nice way)?

I'm using masculine pronouns but haven't confirmed.