the bird and the butterfly….
It feels like ages since I’ve been here…..
….here on the blog, that is.
The weather has been rather extreme for hiking down here in the desert valley…I heard that four or five people died because of the heat a few weeks ago….not a good thing…oppressive, nasty, raunchy heat…..
So last weekend I headed north…waaaay north…twenty five miles west of Flagstaff…the high was only 85 degrees…spent six hours hiking a sweet loop-trail that skirted the northern parts of Sycamore Canyon. With about an hour of the hike remaining, I came across a section of the forest that had six or eight of these Century Plants…Agave americana…just kind of hanging-out, real bright and everything in the middle of the otherwise dark green forest….the blossoms on this particular plant were easily eight feet above the ground.
Scott's Place...Images and Words 
A hummingbird and a tiger swallowtail butterfly . . . good finds.
July 14, 2016 at 10:37 pm
I thought so, too…..
July 23, 2016 at 10:21 am
With such oppressive heat, you are wise to hold off on the hiking. Great captures at the century plant.
July 15, 2016 at 2:43 am
Thank you….
July 23, 2016 at 10:22 am
Beautiful plants! That’s a good place to be in Arizona’s summer!
July 15, 2016 at 6:39 pm
Yes, it is, Terry….waaay up north…..
July 23, 2016 at 10:22 am
I’ve missed you – was wondering what’s up the other day. These are beautiful photos – what an interesting comparison between butterfly and hummer. Glad you took the drive up past Flagstaff. Next weekend we’re going to do a big loop through the North Cascades, over a pass and then south along the eastern side of the Cascades, then head west, and back home. Looking forward to seeing some places I’ve never seen. Keep cool, Scott! Fall and winter will be here before we know it.
July 16, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Thank you, Lynn….there’s not much inspiration down here in the valley right now…thought about doing some agricultural shots…but then thought not….
The Cascades sound wonderful….absolutely stone wonderful….!! Will look forward to those posts.
And yes, I shall welcome Fall and Winter when they return….
July 23, 2016 at 10:24 am
That’s a beautiful flower head, and beautiful visitors as well.
We’ve been hot too, but nothing like Arizona. It’s the humidity that gets you in New England.
July 16, 2016 at 4:00 pm
It is quite beautiful, Allen…and so seemingly out of place in the middle of the pine and oak forest.
Yes, I imagine that things are warm there, too…with the humidity sucking the energy out of you while out in the woods….even so, I’d trade That for This right now….!
July 23, 2016 at 10:26 am
Wonderful images Scott!
July 17, 2016 at 12:45 am
Thank you, Adrian!
July 23, 2016 at 10:27 am
What treasures you found on this hike. Glad you got out of the oppressive heat, too! We do manage to disappear every now and then when life or weather takes over! Good to see you here again though!
July 17, 2016 at 1:08 pm
I did find some nice treasures, Gunta…and so glad to have gotten up into the forest again. And you’re right, we do disappear sometimes, don’t we….and hopefully, we return again.
As always….thank you, my friend. 🙂
July 23, 2016 at 10:28 am
Gorgeous, Scott! Glad you are trying to stay cool, or at least finding some cooler spots to hike.
July 22, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Thank you, LB…and yes….loving the cooler spots!!
July 23, 2016 at 10:29 am
What a beauty, love the fresh yellow colour of the flower. I haven’t seen anything similar I think. It probably would like the colour climate up north:)
July 28, 2016 at 10:04 am
I had seen them in the past, but it was rather unexpected finding them in the middle of the forest where I did. I’m glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
July 31, 2016 at 12:42 pm
Very nice!
August 15, 2016 at 8:36 am
Thank you!
August 20, 2016 at 2:36 pm