MIDDAY DESERT WALK AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARK

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The desert was so quiet today. Even this bird didn't make much noise. I saw him hopping around on the rocks. It wasn't until I looked up his name in the field guide at home that I realized how appropriate his name was.......Rock Wren.


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He wasn't easy to keep track of!

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YEAH! COOLER WEATHER FOR OUR LATEST TROMP THROUGH THE RIPARIAN PRESERVE AT WATER RANCH

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Finally! The lovebirds were back. We spotted about eight but I was unable to get the "great" shot to my satisfaction.








Cormorant


Another silhouetted bird perched in the trees.


Hummingbirds zipped around. This one sat still for a moment and the other two were arguing about something and didn't pay any attention to me.


The black necked stilts wadded in the shallow ponds.



The fall foliage is glorious and I love fooling with the photoshop program effects as usual. There are some blossoms to be found though and the bees find them.



Today we sighted an American Kestrel Falcon in various poses. Mostly he perched on the highest branches to get a good look at the food choices I guess.


This snow white egret found a perch high in the brush.


It was a beautiful morning to capture the beauty of the Superstition Mountains and the distant view of Four Peaks.


Sparrows nibbled around my feet along the paths.

These puff ball plants are beautiful just as they are.
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Ducks, ducks and more ducks.


These 2 photos are alike but the second one has had the ink outline applied. Which do you like?

PARKING WITH GRANDKIDS, EUNICE AND AUNT ELLEN

After breakfast last Saturday with Aunt Ellen we worked off some energy at our local Mountain Park Ranch neighborhood park just 2 blocks from the house. The sanded kids play area is circled with a walkway perfect for Sophie to ride her bike. She zoomed around but not always on the bike! It was a beautiful day to be outdoors.



The only water to play in today is the water fountain. That was okay for Brayden.





Eunice and Ellen chat while I try to get a few good photos. The boys decided to make it hard for me today and when the camera was raised they hid most of the time. Every time I pointed the thing at Ellen she made gestures too rude to describe.
Aunt Ellen never could resist a swing!
Run, run Luke. Sophie is closing in on you!
All the pictures in this post were treated with the poster edge program in Adobe Photoshop. I just love this effect.

NATURAL BRIDGE STATE PARK

We headed out toward Payson with Kay and Asghar to search for fall colors. When we got to the Natural Bridge St Park a herd of javelina greeted us. Actually they barely looked in our direction. groundskeepers assured us the herd frequents the area and visitors don't annoy them at all.


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The hike down to view the bridge and waterfall was labeled difficult and I did start down. The steps were steep and rocks moved like little pebbles so.....only Larry and Asghar completed the hike.



I amused myself taking pictures of this nasty looking bug.



After lunch we adventured down Cemetery Lane and found the Pine Cemetery. Just to prove I am not the only weirdo who wanders about in them and enjoys them...I post my proof!


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The above monument explaining that the celebrated lives rest elsewhere was a new observation. Just as angels on sticks were.

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Aligator bark tree displaying wreath.


Thank you Kay and Asghar for another great road trip!