Hi, neighbor!

Once the unpacking is done, it’s time to see what neighbors are in residence. Fair warning: not every photo in this post is perfect. For instance this first one was taken in somewhat of a hurry with my phone because this neighbor is always leery of spending time in close proximity to the rest of us. But this isn’t so much about the photos but about the story told by those photos, about shy but always welcome neighbors and inhabitants of the mountains.

Although it was hot and getting close to the end of July, I was pleased to see plenty wildflowers, many of which were hosting their own guests. These guests never overstay their welcome.

The first two neighbors, although always enjoyed, aren’t as rare as these next drop-ins. Since we moved to Arizona at the end of March in 2020, the so-called monsoon season hadn’t produced much rain at all. I felt we were getting a good rain if there was enough water so that individual drops melded into the wet pavement look. (This year we’re thankfully getting lots of rain; lots for a place averaging 9″ a year.) So I was thrilled to see more drops in this photo than our back patio sometimes got in rains past at home.

Once the walk or walks are over, there’s always the porch. I like porches a lot. Spanish-style houses don’t have porches; they have patios. Patios are fine but they aren’t porches.

There are lots of good sayings about porches. Here are a few I really like.

Nowadays, people are so jeezled up. If they took some chamomile tea and spent more time rocking on the porch in the evening listening to the liquid song of the hermit thrush, they might enjoy life more. ~Tasha Tudor

True luxury is being able to own your time – to be able to take a walk, sit on your porch, read the paper, not take the call, not be compelled by obligation. ~Ashton Kutcher

My ideal summer day was reading on the porch. ~Harold E. Varmus

I dream of land, cut only where streams glistened with birdsong wander through quiet hills burnt hard by the scrape of wind, and of a porch from which a single road leads only homeward. ~Nancy E. Turner

Monday walk…Chihuly-less

As I pointed out in an earlier post, there’s a lot more to the Desert Botanical Garden that the Chihuly installation, stunning as it is. Let’s walk a bit looking at what the desert has to offer. You did notice that it’s the Desert Botanical Garden, not the Chihuly Botanical Garden. I thought you did.

Cacti aren’t just thorns. Many of them have beautiful flowers in season as well. But you might want to avoid trying to pick them or do so with the utmost care. Of course here you shouldn’t pick at all!

Before you ask, no, I don’t know what this is. But if you do, feel free to let us all know. (Yes, I’m too lazy/too busy to try to look it up online.)

Humans aren’t the only ones enjoy the Garden, although this butterfly appears to be attempting to pass as a flower.

Another Seussian sighting? I’m pretty sure this might be Thing 1…or maybe Thing 2. Who can tell them apart??

We ❤ the Desert Botanical Garden and it must be “Mutual, I’m sure.” (Hint: “White Christmas.)

That’s our walk for today. Thanks for coming along to see just a tiny, tiny bit of what the desert has to offer. Sorry I don’t have any dessert for you, but I did have desert–so close! 🙂

Monday miscellany

I like to walk down to this lake, walk around it, and reflect on this, that, and the other thing but the lake does its own reflecting as well. Pick up sticks, anyone?

It also provides a nice bit of bokeh.

Up close and personal with a butterfly? Alien? Somethings look different when you get this close, don’t they?

Wordless Wednesday…Wyoming pollinators

also for Cee’s CMMC – September Close Up or Macro

I seem to be missing something.

-for

for Six-Word Saturday 8.28.21

Butterfly bright

Descanso Gardens has the perfect plant background to show off a giant swallowtail butterfly. The sun cooperated to light it up!

for Squares: bright

Yes, it tickled just a bit.

for Six Word Saturday

Does this outfit look too transparent?

for Six Word Saturday 8.22.20

Monday walk…walk, ride, or drive?

While in Wyoming, my preferred method of transportation is on the back of a horse. But I do a reasonable amount of walking. Today’s walk was broken up by bits of driving as the various parts some at some distance from the cabin. Mind you, on these roads driving speed isn’t always very different from walking, especially when driving a non-four-wheel drive vehicle!

These butterflies were everywhere this summer. I had a bit of fun with editing in this first shot.

Some distance from our cabin is Park Lake reservoir. One summer during a recent drought, the water level was so low that you could ride or walk well into it. Thankfully this year it was filled with water, a haven for fishermen and people who love water sports. Or you just might want to spend some time admiring the view as my daughters and I did.

Friday flowers and…

Sometimes it’s not all about the flower. Happy Friday!

Hmmm. Hold that “Happy Friday” thought until tomorrow or…let’s pretend I’m posting from New Zealand, where it actually IS Friday. I wish WP would go back to having the calendar highlight every day you already have a post scheduled. That’s almost caught me any number of times. At any rate, enjoy the photo whether or not it’s Friday. 🙂