Photo A Day - July 23

So it isn't quite a photo a day, but more like a photo every now and then. :)

After taking a little time off last week, yesterday was back to work. To help ease the pain, I took a little drive to see what was out and about.

A little squirrel in the top of a tree, eating a little treat.

Just before I took this picture I was scanning the area with binoculars looking for bird nests, when I came upon a coyote standing very, very still. I watched it for a while, and looked around to see what it was honed in on. I couldn't see anything. So I grabbed my camera, but when I focused back in on the spot, the coyote was no where to found, and in its place was this marmot. Very strange.

Photo A Day - July 19

I love this flower - look closely and you will see why it is called Elephant Head.

I believe this is a Monument Plant. It also looks a little like Milkweed.

Photo A Day - July 18

Hungry Wildlife.

A cute little wildflower.

Photo A Day - July 17

A beautiful, bright Indian Paintbrush.

Photo A Day - July 16

This is Lake Marry, up Big Cottonwood Canyon, the destination for our Monday morning hike.

Photo A Day - July 15

Two of our hiking buddies.

Some of the many wildflowers along the trail.

Photo A Day - July 14

I took a hike on Monday with a good friend. I do plenty of hiking for my work, but it's nice sometimes to just go with a friend or the family and not have to worry about teaching or pointing things out, or making sure the group is together, etc.

The next few days I'll have photos from this hike. The mosquitoes were terrible, but the scenery was incredible.



Trying to get the hat on quickly and keep moving to avoid getting carried away by mosquitoes.

Photo A Day - July 13

Here's an American Dipper. I love to watch these birds bobbing up and down, looking for insects under water. It's been a while since I've seen one, so I was happy to have found this wonderful little bird a few weeks ago during my last camping trip.



Have you ever seen one dive underwater?

Photo A Day - July 11

I took a walk along a recently built trail, and was so happy to see that in addition to the plethora of thistle growing on the fringes, there was also an abundance of Showy Milkweed.



Butterflies, especially Monarch Butterflies, love and even depend on these plants. I am so glad they are here to provide not only beauty, but life and security. And a promise of tomorrow.

Photo A Day - July 10

My first blooming Day Lilly. Sometimes it's just the liitle things that bring smiles to a heart.

Photo A Day - July 9

Glacier Lilly or Yellow Fawn Lilly

Such a small little thing that adds just a splash of happiness to the landscape.

Photo A Day - July 7

I missed two days there. Some days just slip by. Swine Flu has entered the house - not me, but my roomie's teenage daughter. She is miserable.

I spent about an hour in the heat yesterday pulling weeds. It was actually quite therapeutic. After many, many attempts at keeping Harley within the back yard, I finally broke down and bought some lumber to screw together in the most vulnerable fence spots. Then I discovered that my drill had been stolen. Grrr. I have a new drill now, and the fence work is slated for a bit later today. If I am aware enough, I get some before and after pics to share.

But for today, and to make up for the past two days, here are a few moments in time to share:

This Black-headed Grosbeak visited my friends and I a few weeks ago during our weekend getaway.

T-Spoon. She was lost for a couple of days right after we got back from out camping trip. She isn't an outside kitty, so we were very worried about her. But she found her way home, and is now just as happy and content as always.

Photo A Day - July 4

Happy Independence Day. I had planned on capturing a picture of the flag in some spectacular way, blowing in the wind, with a bird, or something wonderful behind it. It was a good thought.

But this little guy stole the show instead.

Photo A Day - July 3

I got to work feeling very grumpy today. Then I learned my dog had another one of her "accidents". I don't thinks it's an accident anymore. Now I think she's just plain stubborn.

Anyway, not long after I arrived at work, felt grumpy, and nearly decided to just forget the whole day, I decided to make an effort to feel better by taking a little walk.

I just learned we have a couple of fledgling Great Horned Owls on our Visitor Center trail. I had to see if I could find them. Just so you don't die from anticipation, I didn't find them. But I did see many other fun little glimpses of life out there.

Here are a few of my favorites:




After the hike, though, I found a wonderful little gem of a picture. I think, today, this wins my vote for favorites: