YES YES YES! I SEE UMBRELLAS. DID WE FINALLY GO TO THE BEACH?

NO NO NO. IT'S ANOTHER VISIT TO THE PHOENIX DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN.


SO, WILL MY PICTURES BE OF THE SAME SUBJECT?


PROBABLY...BUT...


I'LL TRY TO PRESENT THEM IN A NEW AND INTERESTING WAY.






IT'S THE THRASHER AGAIN.  AFTER STOPPING TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE PURPLE PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS HE'S OFF TO THE GIFT SHOP.

WE HEADED OFF TO THE BUTTERFLY PATH.  A TRUMPET FLOWER SHRUB GROWS JUST INSIDE THE GATE.  IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN PICTURES OF THE GORGEOUS ORANGE BLOSSOMS.  THEN, THE PHOTOS DO NOT INSPIRE ME.

THIS TIME I DECIDE TO FIDDLE WITH THEM AND APPLY FILTERS.  I REALLY LIKE THE RESULT.

LARRY HAS GOTTEN FARTHER ALONG THE PATH.  I LIKE TO DILLY DALLY.  IT'S ALSO GOOD IF I WANT TO SNAP HIS PICTURE!

I FOUND THE "COMING AND GOING" SUNFLOWERS HERE.  I USED THE PHOTOSHOP GLOWING EDGE STYLIZE FILTER ON THE PHOTO AND THAT TURNED OUT OKAY.

IN THE SHADE GARDEN I COULD HEAR A BIRD RUSTLING IN THE LEAVES. HE HOPPED HERE AND THERE, NOSING AROUND, TUGGING ON LEAVES ABOVE HIM AND ALL THE WHILE A PARENT KEPT WATCH.  AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT IT SEEMED TO ME.

I'M NOT SURE OF THE BIRD'S IDENTIFICATION.  STILL NEED TO FIGURE THAT OUT.







AT THE EDGE OF THE SHADE GARDEN A MONARCH BUTTERFLY LINGERED FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.  SO, I HAVE DOZENS OF HIS PICTURE.  THERE ARE THE REALITY ONES AND THEN THE ONES CROPPED, CURVE ADJUSTED OR WITH FILTERS APPLIED.

CROPPED

REALITY

CROPPED/CURVE

CROPPED/CURVE

AND THEN HE FLEW AWAY.

MY BUTTERFLY PHOTOS IDENTIFIED AS THE PAINTED LADY

 Here's my proof!

Send me a message if you disagree.

PHOENIX'S DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN IN ARIZONA

Back in March on a visit to the Botanical Garden in Phoenix with Larry, Eunice and Betty I photographed many beautiful butterflies....and a few birds, trees, rabbits. It's a great place to visit with countless photographic opportunities any time of the year.

I first took pictures of the Boojum tree with a woodpecker on top. Then I noticed a thrasher resting below while carrying nest building materials.

Later  a cardinal and hummingbird agreed to sit still long enough for their picture to be taken.

 Along the way to the butterflies an amazing display titled "The Four Seasons" by Philip Haas, towered over us. 

FINALLY, BUTTERFLIES!

Another great visit thanks to the pass we obtained at our Phoenix Public Library and their Culture Pass Program.      http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/pageView.jsp?id=10786

GRAND CANYON SUMMER VISIT WITH GRANDSON LUKE (WWW.NATIONALPARKS.ORG)

WE ARRIVED AT THE CANYON AND VISITED VIEWPOINTS ALONG THE WAY TO HERMITS REST.

AFTER DINNER WITH FRIENDS, RITA AND HARRY, WE WAITED FOR SUNSET AT HOPI POINT ALONG WITH A BEAUTIFUL PATIENT LIZARD WHO GLOWED IN THE SETTING SUNLIGHT.

EARLY TO BED AND EARLY TO SUNRISE?  WE WAITED..... AND WERE REWARDED!

AROUND EVERY TURN WE ENCOUNTERED WILDLIFE WHICH DELIGHTED LUKE AND MYSELF.  I REALLY LOVE MY DIGITAL CAMERA, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK.

MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH

WHITE-EDGED PHOENIX HUMMINGBIRD MOTH

RAVEN

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THIS TRIP TO THE CANYON IS DIFFERENT IN MANY WAYS.  FOR INSTANCE, WE SPENT THE 2 NIGHTS IN WILLIAMS, AN HOURS DRIVE SOUTH.  THE WILLIAMS CEMETERY WAS LOCATED AND I'VE ADDED NEW ANGEL PHOTOS TO MY COLLECTION.

ANOTHER GREAT CANYON VISIT. WWW.NATIONALPARKS.ORG