Roadrunner Running

Unfortunately, running away.

Saguaro Fruit

It is once again that very hot time of year when the saguaro fruit begins to ripen and feed the desert creatures. Each saguaro may have only a few fruit ripen on any given day (which makes collecting them for making jam a real hassle - well, that and the fact that they are always at the tops of tall saguaros and maybe the fact that it is always well over 100 degrees F in the shade - and there is no shade).

 Before the fruit falls to the ground, birds get first dibs.

Here are two birds on one saguaro.

The bird on the left is easy to spot and is more than double the size of the small finch on the right. Clcik on the picture and enlarge the view to see the little one a little better.  Still not so easy to make out.

The one on the left is a Gila woodpecker.

The one on the right? couldn't get a decent enough shot. Maybe a house finch?

Blanket Flower

I am trying to remember if I have ever seen these in the 'wilds' of South Mountain Park.

These are from the Desert Botanical Gardens 

Summer Sunflower

The Desert Sunflower pictured here was blooming a few weeks before the official start of summer.

Father's Day

Start with the card! You're the SPONGIEST dad in the whole wide world.  Thanks Kids. It even came with a button, which I wore to work.

 

A new camera. Point and shoot, yes, but 14 megapixels compared to my DSLR (with dust inside on every picture) at 6 megapixels.  Guess which one I'll be more likely to use now... 

Oops, the camera is laying on the table already opened...I am holding a bag (1 of 4) of pistachios.  Do I have a great family or what!



8th Grade Banquet

Last year the 7th graders served at the 8th grade banquet, and this year they were the ones being served.

Here is the 8th grade class

Here are two of Erik's friends whom he has known since way early on in grade school back at Bethany. 

Abby - Erik - Daniel

And Erik with his proud parents at the banquet.  Yes, a suit & tie! We had to get one special for Erik and I had to use a lint roller to get all the dust off mine. 



Annie (Jr)

Erik's school put on an 8th Grade musical, Annie Jr.  Erik played an orphan, a street urchin (shown here - he's the one who jumps off the front of the stage at the end of this bit)

And one of Daddy Warbuck's servants (shown here - he's the tall one)

[Can't get the final song to upload.]

We went both nights and have to admit it was VERY well done! These two videos don't do it justice. The acting, singing, choreography,costunes and all were great.  Even Jake said it was the BEST play he's seen in his life.  Mighty high praise from him.

Dive Meet

Jake is in dive and swimming this summer and for the first time is on the dive team.  After a small case of nerves on the first dive, he settled in and did fine.  Took fifth place!  Here are his better ones (they do 3):

And: