MONARCH EVENT AT DESERT BOTANICAL GARDENS

By the end of October most monarchs have migrated to their winter locations. This has been about a six week migration. The Western population breeds west of the Rocky mountains and winters along the California Coast.

The live display in the Phoenix Botanical Gardens is housed in a netted building structure and we are allowed to enter and walk freely among them. They capture one's attention so completely and yet you must be aware of your footsteps and avoid stepping on them. Every one is checked upon leaving for stowaways.



The foreground Monarch is the male of the species. The black dots along the veins indicate this.
















This was taken outside the Monarch house and my identification of it is Agraulis Vanillae (Gulf Fritillary)


Other wildlife I saw running around was a rabbit who thought he was hidden. Noisy quail were under bushes and walking underfoot at the snack tables. The cactus wren was closer than any I've seen before. A female House Finch is sitting with faded yellow blossoms.

LATE SUMMER VACATION IN UTAH AND COLORADO

Wouldn't you know a few days before our scheduled vacation I got a cold. I barely remember getting ready for it and in the middle of it I realized I packed enough clothes for 3 weeks. We dropped off the dog to be entertained by his parents, brother, sister, 3 kids and 2 parents. I am hoping he behaves himself! Thank you Bauer Family for looking after him.

So, onward through Flagstaff to Monument Valley. We have been there before but always worth visiting again. This first night we have a reservation in Mexican Hat, Utah and our room will be a yurt.

I just love all the open space, native plants and scenery. The contrast is striking.

VACATION DAY 2 MEXICAN HAT TO LASAL MTN TO CAMP

Larry did all the driving our first day because I was fighting a cold and couldn't stay awake. I did better this second day but I'm a little fuzzy with what happened when and where in regards to my picture taking.

I do remember having to leave that beautiful yurt we spent the night in. It was spacious and had a dining table to work at the computer. I had 2 extra single beds of choice to read during the night and not disturb Larry.





This morning we left Mexican Hat, Utah and traveled to Goosenecks, SP past Valley of the Gods and on to the Natural Bridges. We saw Canyonland National Park which has vast vistas and can be viewed from different viewpoints depending on how much driving you want to do.







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Driving through the Manti-LaSal National Forrest we took a rest stop at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station. They had beautiful natural vegetation and I snapped Larry in the middle of it.




You can view the target area for camping tonight. It's going to be beautiful and a little chilly I think.
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We camped in the LaSal Mountains among the quivering aspen trees for the night. We were near the town of LaSal. It was quite a day for photo taking.

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VACATION DAY 3 FROM CAMPSITE TO CRAIG

OHHHH, I'm still tired after spending the night in the car to sleep. Larry slept in the tent and he was a little cold and had to wear a cap. I wasn't cold but it was hard to move around much and of course I was restless wondering what critters were nearby.



Driving down the mountain in the early morning I spotted this White Crowned Sparrow sunning himself.
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We headed to Moab and into the Canyonlands National Park again from a different side and were treated to vast expanses of the park. A distant look back at our mountain campsite.





Eventually we headed north to Craig. All of this territory is very familiar to us. We spent 4 years living in Craig 1983 to 1987. It was a small town in the northwest corner of Colorado and had very little shopping. A trip south to Grand Junction took 3 hours and the shopping there was slightly better. For a tourist shopping experience we went 40 miles to Steamboat Springs, a ski town.

The real shopping was done in Denver and that was a 4 hour trip. If it was winter the trip was always exciting. The two passes, one the west side of the mountain range and one on the east side, were either misty, icy, snowy or a whiteout. We would often do the trip in one day.


Just before entering Craig we cross over the Yampa River Larry would fish after work. Today cattle are crossing and when the photo was enlarged Larry realized there was a Bald Eagle fishing for dinner.


Viewing Craig

It was impossible not to look and snap a picture of the view up the hill to where we previously lived on Finley Lane. Moving on quickly we finally arrived at Judy and Greg's home.

VACATION DAYS 4 and 5 IN CRAIG

It was very restful and entertaining to be lazy while enjoying Judy and Greg's home and yard. Animals wander through the yard at any time. Their neighbor across their back yard has bird feeders to attract critters. Squirrels played , cats waited for birds under the feeder, deer stopped to have a look at what I was doing.


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This squirrels tail is awesome.







Judy's clematis vine was well past flowering and I can imagine how beautiful the blossoms were but what is left is striking too. I couldn't resist enhancing the vine and berries with a photo shop application.



At the edge of town we visited a private museum surrounded by acres of fields with wonderful weeds for birds, rusting resting farm equipment, and even a resident elk Clyde.


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There are abandoned cars and even a red caboose. The caboose reminds me of the days long ago when I read the Boxcar Children stories. Not only that but I grew grown up along side a steel and metal business where I played for hours in the "junk yard" as I called it. I could have wondered around here for hours.



In fact I never got inside the museum with Larry. Look what he found inside with hundreds of other interesting exhibits. Next time I won't miss the tour.

A few black clouds gathered over the grasses and spit on us. I meandered over to the pond and found more birds, ducks and cattails. Wow, it was a wonderful place.



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We took a tour of the downtown area and drove past the houses we had lived in back in the eighties. They have built a new hospital, added some new shopping choices and it looks like a great place to live.
We lived here after purchasing the home 6 months after moving to Craig from Virginia.

For years Craig has held a wood carving event at the town park and the artists carvings are a permanent fixture there. It is amazing to see their carving skills displayed.
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Greg took Larry fishing on Steamboat lake and they were all smiles arriving home. Larry caught the big one of the day.