PHOTO FOR THE DAY

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!"

PHOTO FOR THE DAY

PHOTO FOR THE DAY

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

PHOTO FOR THE DAY

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.

PHOTO FOR THE DAY

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

PHOTO FOR THE DAY

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.