On Finger Rock Hike in the Catalina Mountains we saw this scarecrow.So we started looking for more and saw this one in Sagauro NP East on the Garwood Trail.Howdy partner!Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!
This is a young saguaro that is probably about 30 years old. We took a sunset hike with a ranger led group on 5 December.Amazing these plants can grow out of the rocks. The wavy pattern on this barrel cactus caught my eye.A wavy sunset too! The almost full moon rose to guide us back to Sus picnic area.We went back on December 18th for a really great geography presentation. We took our own sunset hike after a rainy morning.Great lighting. We took the Hugh Norris Trail about a mile up to the large boulders and overlook.Our friends – they have so much personality!So nice to have this saguaro pose just right there in front of the sunset!Such a beautiful place to watch the sunset. Wish it was a closer drive to the condo.
Try to hold that pose! We took a 4-mile or so loop as our introduction to this area north of Saguaro National Park East.A large concentration of saguaros!This looks out of a western movie where an iconic saguaro was stuck on the hillside for a good silhouette.Line ’em up…barrel, cholla, saguaro.We went back on Dec 15th to do the 7 Falls trail which was very lush after the Saturday rain. This contrail seemed to make the falls continue upwards.Little Gumby says this is his favorite trail…there are 7 stream crossing which adds some excitement but you follow the stream all the way to and from the falls.Back to the condo for this sunset view.
The moon is still hovering in the sky when we start this hike at 8:30. We joined a Sabino Canyon hiking group for this hike that starts at Loewe’s Ventana Canyon Resort.This seemed like a perfect saguaro in a perfect setting!The views looking back on Tucson were pretty amazing! We hiked over a 1,100 feet elevation gain…definitely ready for a hot tub after this!Polished rocks and pools of water glisten in the sun.On our way down, this puffy little cloud seemed to want its picture taken…it is like a dot on an i.We went back to the Loews Resort to enjoy an evening with hot cider and a dance performance. We caught this sunset on the drive over.
This Saguaro has supposedly over 30 arms – it was quite the condo for birds and you can see one perched on the top.We had a great hike to Romero Pools and then hung out for the second Saturday concert in the park which was good music.The setting sun took our attention away from the music.Majestic!Colors in every direction – these are the Catalinas!It kept getting better and better! The full moon kept us company on our drive back to the condo.
Iris blooming in the Japanese garden around the 4th of July. The colors are repeated in the Chihuly Ikebana boat. Iris are believe to have the power to purify and protect.Lotus are also a very important Japanese flower. There is usually one plant flowering in the garden to show the season. The Sho Fu En (Wind in Pines) is dominated by 135 character Ponderosa Pines, native plants originally from Arapaho National Forest.Floating Walla Wallas by Chihuly to give homage to his native Washington State.The snow lantern was a gift from Takayama, Japan – Denver’s sister city.This stream leads to the Japanese tea house (constructed in Nagano, Japan), surrounded by fall color. Reichenbach Balls, mirrored inside are like bubbles.It is docent time. I was awarded a national Presidential pin for volunteering over 250 hours in 2013. The real reward is spending time at the gardens surrounded by good friends and mentors as well as fascinating visitors.A beautiful summer evening.Do you have a favorite? The fascinating aspect is that the sculptures change with the light, with the surrounding plants and with all the other climate factors. The sculptures were usually always fun to photograph. I would treat myself by arriving early before leading a tour to have the early morning light and the solitude of the garden to prepare myself.Consistently the Rock Alpine Garden was captivating with the changes of blooms. These Neodymium Reeds seem to meander like a stream through the garden.Outstanding: rising above the pink muhuly grass! I had to take this picture in the middle of leading a tour.The bee resting on the cone flower seems oblivious to the reeds.Niijima floats was the most colorful installation. For me it evoked smiles, beach balls and summer fun. The reflections were fantastic and the water lilies added so much interest.A picnic dinner with wine and friends in the garden made for a perfect and memorable September evening.Poppies and Perennial FioriOrnamental Alliums and Perennial FioriPolyvitro Crystal Tower seemed to change colors – this time to mimic that Colorado blue sky.The Polyvitro reflectionsThe Red Reeds in the Porter Plains Garden seem to evoke the vast distances of the prairie and sky in this photo.The Red Reeds with native Mexican cone flower. This garden is burnt every 3 or 4 years to rejuvenate the seeds. The Red Reeds represent that to me.Love the color contrast!The new Ellipse Garden by the Waring House with the cattails, reeds, and floats.SerenityBlue Icicles before a summer stormAs long as we are looking up – the Yuccas were looking so magical.Yucca Rama with Chihuly glass Saguaros and reeds.Yuccas and Summer Sun go together!This was my post for the opening night gala and I could not believe my luck…I only had the phone but still got the coveted picture: Dale Chihuly and his wife. Gotta love the boots!
This sun really glowed at night! Over 1900 pieces of glass, 14 foot diameter, over 20 feet tall and weighs more than the MINI.White Tower in the Romantic Garden with the conservatory. Chihuly loves glass houses – well he loves glass!Turquoise Reeds mounted in Douglas Pine from Baily and Marlins in between. The long vista, reflections, and shadows on the Luis Barragon style red wall were always interesting.Persians in el Pomar WaterwayReaching for the sky…What will the future bring?
We discovered Conchy Joe‘s quite by accident but have made it the stop for lunch in each direction. It sits on the Indian River inland waterway and is Old Florida charm in its best. Plus the salmon is incredible…blackened with some sweet plantains in mango sauce…Seriously mouthwateringly good!Beautiful day in Orlando for a walk to the lake.These sisters can seriously cook! Lucky Lucky us!We wandered over to Cocoa inland waterway area and found this pleasant Irish Pub to have a meal.A very calm Atlantic for sunrise in October. There is not much better of a way to start the morning than riding the elevator to the beach with some fresh brewed coffee.
Plant Select delosperma John Profit ice plants were blooming in this photo taken June 18. This dry-land garden features Plant Select cultivators as well as many native plants that flourish in our Steppe climate.Plant Select’s coveted annual Golden Shovel Award goes to an outstanding public demonstration garden. This is indeed wonderful recognition for the vision, implementation, and dedication to keep it maintained by Adams County Colorado Master Gardeners.We also planted boulders to give the demonstration garden a very native Colorado plateau feeling. First boulders were planted in 2009 with the plants following.The Architect and the Master Gardener consult the plan to determine where to install the rock mulch. This is summer of 2010 – a small group of us led the design efforts. We were thankful for all that helped with the labor!Another June view of penstemons blooming along another pathway.Many cuttings were supplied by Denver Botanic Garden to start our amazing cactus collection. Other plants supplied by Mountain States Nursery in Phoenix, Timberline Garden in Arvada, and Little Valley Nursery in Brighton.This is the reason we garden – gorgeous blooms for us and the pollinators.
