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Regrowth after a fire.

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The smell of the monsoons.

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There's no way we would have frozen anything right now. This is just giving hope that someday soon - like in about 6 months - it will be cold enough to wear a jacket.

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A cascading fall of color nestled in a rocky home.

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Snackies for the desert animals. Though I would imagine the spines made for an uncomfortable picnic area.

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We are getting closer and closer to the monsoons! The clouds are developing and actually hanging around for a bit each evening.

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So the evacuation and standby orders were lifted for the Flagstaff area and people were allowed back into their homes. The Schultz Fire is over 10,000 acres but it sounds like the firefighters are starting to get it a little under control. My friend Karen, is pretty thrilled she gets to unpack her car and will not need to evacuate the horses; including Sophie, who has modeled for me on numerous occasions.

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I've been on the phone a lot with friends in Flagstaff, more so than usual, due to a worrisome little thing called the Schultz Fire, currently burning over 10,000 acres in Flagstaff and way too close to those friend's houses. Some have evacuated and some are on stand-by, cars packed, kids and animals ready to go. This is a photo of the current area burning (To the left in the photo over the ridge. That is Mt Elden in the distance.) 2 weeks ago when I hiked the Weatherford Trail with one of those friends. Not a cloud in the sky.

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I was totally enamored of this guy. Here's another view.

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This little guy was hanging out with us at our weekly greyhound playdate. He was fine with just me but abandoned ship once the hounds started coming over to see why Mom was lying on the ground. Apparently, only they are allowed to do that.

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My favorite flower, Indian Paintbrush, on the shores of Mormon Lake.

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A full Schultz Tank. How cool is that?

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An Aspen blow-down on the Weatherford Trail, San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff, AZ. I made Kris wait just a bit while I shot photos at this location. She needed a new hair cut by the time I was ready to move on. I should have a waiver form for people to sign when they hike with me. "I understand, hiking partner may stop suddenly and for extended periods of time to shoot photos."

TOHONO CHUL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Tohono Chul Park is a lovely desert park in the north portion of Tucson. They are getting ready to celebrate the National Pollinator Week from June 21 to 27. Events include talks and walks and seminars; including lectures “Hummingbirds: More than Just Eye Candy”, “Sonoran Desert Bees: Trouble in Paradise?” and “Gardening for Butterflies and the Caterpillars Than Become Them!”. Though all programs sound interesting the one that intrigues me the most is the FREE macro photography seminar. If you’ve been through my blog at all, it is a little (see what I did there?) obvious I love to do the close ups.

The other thing of interest was the Pollinators in Action Photography Contest. Open to Arizona resident amateur and professional photographers. Criteria: “The subject is any live pollinating animal(s) visiting native or cultivated flowering plants found in the state during 2010”. Well I have a few of those, so I submitted 3 photos in the professional category. I was a fairly pleased (and surprised to say the least) to learn one of my photos won the Grand Prize and another took Honorable Mention. WOO HOO! So, there is an award ceremony on Saturday June 26 where I will be presented with a prize. I haven't a clue as to what the prize is, but I still win a prize. Again, Woo Hoo! On top of all that prize winning stuff, my photos will be on display at the park from June 21 to July 4th. Woop!

Grand Prize - "Who's There?"

Honorable Mention - "It's Mine, All Mine!"

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Another remembrance of my trip to Flagstaff. As an Arizonan I am a bit obsessed with water, especially in large quantities. Can you tell?

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Lots of water in Lake Mary this summer. Both lower and upper lakes were full. I was a little envious of the guys in the boat. I would have loved to take a turn around the lake.

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So many colors from one Prickly Pear. The whole 'look at me' survival/pollination thing was certainly working for this cactus.

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The Saguaros are blooming now. All these little white specks at the top of these giant pointy-edged bits of desert vegetation. I've always wanted to get a downward view of the ring of Saguaro blooms but have yet to haul a ladder out into the desert. So for now I'll stick to the parts I can reach.

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Looks like I traveled to the English countryside doesn't it? This is what Mormon Lake looks like when there is actually water in it. The mountains in the distance are the San Francisco Peaks.

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While in Flag, I stayed with a good friend. She has two horses and I am about as obsessed with trying to get a good photo of them as I am with the greyhounds. This is Sophie, she wanted to say 'hi'.

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This weekend I spent Sunday hiking the Weatherford Trail on the south side of the San Francisco Peaks with a good friend. I couldn't have dialed up, placed an order and paid for a better day.

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I drove all the way to Flagstaff to get a photo of a cactus flower. Go figure. I love finding the unexpected.

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These little guys, Antelope Squirrels, are new babies, fresh from the nest. They've been romping in the back yard (not of my house, though it would be fun watching the dogs go crazy) for the past few days; learning the layout, the easiest escape routes, and just how close they can get to the sliding door before the cat launches herself at the glass. The sudden 'clunk' usually freaks them out just a bit.

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In the hopes that the winds may blow in a little rain.