Oct 30
The main attraction of Slide Rock State Park is the red rock formations and water that runs through it. It is such a popular swimming area during summer, you can hardly see the red rock for all the people. In fact, it is very difficult to get a photo of the water without people almost all year round. In this next photo, I arrived very early and was lucky to have just two people. I decided I didn’t mind including them. Read more
Aug 31
Butterflies only come out on sunny days so I didn’t see many. Wildflowers were also spotty but I did manage to get some photos of both. I’ll start with the butterflies and bugs and follow up with Wildflowers. Read more
Aug 12
Besides Fungi, I also love to photograph butterflies, bugs and all critters, for that matter! Because of the lack of sun, Butterflies were scarce this trip but I was happy to see and photograph at least a few Fritillaries. Read more
Jun 18
Back to the Colonel Devin Trail in Payson, Arizona yesterday with hopes the Butterfly Weed was finally in bloom. (It was late to bloom this year so we found very little on the last trip up). This time, we saw plenty and were rewarded with Western Tiger Swallowtails and Northwestern Fitillaries nectaring on it. My favorite photos from the hike are below. Read more
Jun 10
Washington Park – Colonel Devin Trail
Even though we ended up spotting 21 species of Butterflies, our return trip to Colonel Devin was a little disappointing. Wildflowers were still few and far between; it was windy and the butterflies rarely stopped moving. Read more
Jun 6
When first installing landscaping around my house, I was determined to plant only flora that were native to our area. However, there isn’t much that blooms for any length of time so I also planted Lantana for color. It didn’t take long before I started seeing Butterflies visiting and feeding on the flowers and in no time I developed a passion for photographing Butterflies! I wanted to find more!
Searching for Butterflies with CAZBA
Someone suggested I check out a local butterfly group (cazba). When I did, I was excited to see their list of great looking outings. What better way to find butterflies than to tag along with people who know how to find them. Duh! I joined their group, of course.
By the end of that first outing (2009), I became enlightened to the secret to finding butterflies. You simply go to places where butterflies lay their eggs. The most interesting thing I learned that day, though, was how specific each species of Butterfly is as to where they lay their eggs! Read more
May 30
Currently, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy’s Field Institute is conducting surveys of ALL LIFE in the Preserve. These surveys will continue for the next few years and I’m so happy to be a part of them! My very favorites of these surveys are Flora, Flying Insects, Birds and Herps. With the exception of Flora (which I collect and document), my primary goal on the surveys is to photograph the outings. I then donate the images to the Conservancy for use on their website and/or printed material. A bonus for me is the education I’m receiving. Love it!
Below are photos from our most recent flying insect survey. Sorry for all the “unidentified”. Our experts are really busy. I must purchase bug books! Read more
Dec 26
Another shot from the Big Bugs exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden. I think this is the last week they are here and I think they are worth admission!
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