Natures Bounty on Mt. Lemmon

It was really kinda of warm on the mountain today but we were determined to get out and see what it had to offer in the way of wildlife and to get a little exercise in the process.
This is a rather ragged Spicebush Swallowtail that happened by while we were having lunch.
We saw approximately a dozen different Turkey Vultures, all of them soaring, looking for carrion.
This is a female Rufous Hummingbird which is a migrating species that breeds in the Northwest USA and winters in Mexico. We have seen quite a few of these including several that are hanging around our feeders at our home in Tucson. They have been at the house for 3 weeks and don't seem to be in a hurry to move on to their final wintering spot.
This is a very delicate looking flower that is prevelent along the roadways and paths on the mountain. It is Penstemon barbatus or Beardlip.
I don't have any idea about this one but I loved the colors and thought you would like to see it even if I didn't identify it.

This Cooper's Hawk was perched along the road over looking a vast canyon in search of food.

Butterflies

We took a hike up on the mountain and saw quite a few butterflies including these two.
I haven't been able to identify the smaller one but I believe the larger one is a Pipevine Swallowtail.

Upcoming Photo Sales

Starting this fall I will be making available for sale some of the photos that I like best. They will come in two forms which include mounted, matted and framed using archival materials or mounted on archival mounting board ready for framing.

Most sales will be here locally in the Tucson area at craft shows but I will also offer sales online as well. I will show all works for sale here at the Sonoran Connection as they come available.

The photo shown here is "Feeding Time" a 13"x 19" photo in a 18"x 24" frame. $229.00 plus shipping.

Rufous Hummingbirds

There are 5 different Rufous Hummingbirds that have been here at my feeders in Tucson for the last 5 days.


Female Rufous Hummingbird. She spends most of her time being chased by "Rusty" the male Rufous who is king of the feeder closest to the house.



I'm not sure who this one is of the 5 Rufous that frequent the feeders. We also have several Costa's, a few Black Chinned, and an occasional visit from a Magnificent and one as yet unidentified. There is constant motion outside the window.



Rusty is outside the window protecting more nectar than he could consume in a life time but he's not one to share although others do get past him. He has been very elusive when I have the camera as he is constantly chasing someone.


This is "Rocky" a Costa's who was king until Rusty moved in and took over. Rocky still chases other hummers and does battle but more often than not just waits until Rusty is otherwise engaged before feeding.