BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM

We've been thinking of visiting the arboretum for nine years and with my sister Sue and husband John visiting, it finally was made into reality.  What a neat place for photography and just wandering along looking at all the plants that came from other parts of the world with similar climates to here.  We spent about two hours wandering and could have spent much more time.  Since we wanted to be around to help friends unload, we didn't take a lunch with us.  When we got back to our park, our friends had just arrived so the four of us helped them unload.  I think Ken and Marie were happy to have the help. 
I took John riding with me on Thursday and we were the leader so a mostly dust free ride for us.  It was quite warm so I found us some shade for lunch then headed homeward shortly after. 
Yesterday, I took Sue and John to the Mesa Market.  It took us two hours to get through two thirds of the complex then our stomach alarms went off and we left in search of a restaurant.  We found it in the form of a Chinese buffet that was fairly good. 

The overcast day made for nice lighting

There were a few flowers and some bees to enjoy them

This Northern Cardinal sat still long enough for one shot

This Northern Mockingbird was a little more patient with me

Boyce Thompson House

Looking down the valley from the last shot

White-tailed Antelope Squirrel

John and Sue along the creekside trail

This was a new bird for me and also a very difficult one to capture as he kept flitting from branch to branch.  He was also very tiny so difficult to find in the viewwfinder

These two are looking upstream from a suspension bridge

Fall colour was starting to happen

Making honey

Eucalyptus tree

An old Dodge Power Wagon

These two are of the wool shed

Susan peeking in the wool shed window, photobombing photographer included

So nice to see these butterflies