BTA Reunion

Tom and I really wanted to get together with our black nose tribe (code for photographers) while in Phoenix.  Greg suggested we meet at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, not because he really wanted to photograph that wonderful venue, but because he wanted to go into Superior afterwards for a hamburger at Porter's Cafe! There were 11 black noses and a couple of us spent more time chatting and catching up than taking photographs! Steve had not been to BTA before and was impressed by the variety of cactus.  Ann took off to hike the Arboretum's high path.  We had lunch at Porter's and then some folks walked down Main Street in Superior and took a few more photographs.  Here are the images sent to share.

Ah, it appears Steve made it to the upper path as well.

I have no idea what the blue object is but it caught the attention of two photographers.

We all love Porter's Cafe and were happy they could handle our large group, even if it meant eating outside.

The bar at Porter's.

Yep, this place goes back in time . . .

This door leads you into the restaurant from the patio.  S&H Green Stamps?  Remember those?

Greg and Ann wandered into an art gallery after lunch. They ended up having a 20 minute conversation with the grandson of A J Bayless, of grocery store fame.  He owns a large ranch south of Superior.  He and others are working hard to eventually turn Superior into a major tourist destination.

Superior is still a mining town.

Love the idea.  Love the design.  Love that John noticed.

This looks like a photo taken on the way home, looking across the desert towards the north.

A special thanks to my black nosed friends for sharing the day and their images.

Boyce Thompson

Greg sent a note along with his photos. "Best thing about this trip was shooting with Tom and sharing a burger @ Porter's."  I miss shooting with both of them.  I am so grateful they shared.

Looks like there are lots of photo opportunities at Boyce Thompson, even though there is no fall color left.  Thanks guys for sharing!

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

As expected . . . no good fall colors yet!  The very best part of the day was spending it with two very close friends and, as it turned out, we got in more visiting than shooting!  Perfect!  Since the big stuff looked rather summer weary and dusty, we focused on the smaller items.  When we were told that there were lots of butterflies in the Children's Garden we were on the case!  Of course, so were the children and they were in the way!

Enjoy our leisurely stroll knowing that we only made it as far as the butterflies.  After that, we decided it was time for a Porter's hamburger or sandwich in Superior.  For those not yet let in on our big secret . . . Porter's has the best hamburgers and fries and they have now expanded with a shaded patio.  If you even get close to the place at any time you really must stop in and check out this eatery.

These butterflies are wild and free.

Feather cactus.  So gorgeous.  It was a day of experimentation and this was taken with an older manual focus 55mm Nikkor Micro lens at f/5.6.

This Desert Rose is sending out a request for lady bugs ASAP, please. It hurt to even edit this photo.

A datura.

Haha!  I imagined this was the layering for weather option!  

We were hunting for something that looked Christmasy.  We thought these would do and after 50 or so photos  . . . you know our drill.  Now we have to decide which one to use on a Christmas card.  Am glad I don't have to choose because she took many good photos

Same lens as above.  Both shot handheld with Nikon Df camera.

Every time I go to the Arboretum I get trapped by these lovely ice plant flowers.  I must have dozens of photos of them and not a one captures what I see there.

Bishop's Cap Cactus

We asked as we left when the staff felt the best fall colors would be filling the Arboretum.  We were told that at the end of the month, the weekend after Thanksgiving.  And to celebrate, it will be a weekend with live music and other festivities.  Great place to take out of town guests.