Purple Lilac

Purple Lilac (Syringa sp.)

Location: Aspen, Colorado, USA

Mid-June is lilac season in Aspen, Colorado.  Lilac bushes are in bloom everywhere in the town - in gardens, in front of homes and shops, in public parks.  They are lovely to look at, and very fragrant, too.

Aspen's Dancing Fountain

Nicholas DeWolfe Memorial Fountain

Location:  Aspen, Colorado, USA

At the corner of Hyman and Mill Streets in Aspen, Colorado, is the Nicholas DeWolfe Memorial Fountain, also known as the 'dancing fountain' of Aspen.   Completed in 1979, the water plays from street-level jets in an intricate computer-generated pattern.  On warm days, children run through the waters of the dancing fountain to cool off -- a summer tradition in Aspen.

The fountain is named for the late Aspen resident and pioneer computer engineer Nicholas DeWolfe, who designed and built the computer apparatus and software that run the fountain.  In the background of this photo is another Aspen landmark -- the Wheeler Opera House, completed in 1889.

Elks Building, Aspen, Colorado

Elks Building

Location:  Aspen, Colorado, USA

There are very few large buildings in the town of Aspen, Colorado.  This one, known as the Elks Building, was built in 1891 during the silver mining boom.  Built of brick and sporting a flagpole-topped dome, it is quite an imposing edifice, and it has become a landmark in the town.

Summer in Aspen

Aspen Mountain
Location:  Aspen, Colorado, USA

Aspen, Colorado, is one of the premier Rocky Mountain resort towns.  Situated along the Roaring Fork River, at an elevation of 7,890 ft. (2,405 m.), the town is surrounded by four mountains, which have been developed as well-known ski slopes: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk Mountain, and Snowmass Mountain.

Aspen is a winter wonderland when it is covered with snow, but it is beautiful in the summer months as well.   This photo shows a ski run on Aspen Mountain, which rises right above the town.  In mid-June when this photo was taken, there was just a tiny amount of residual snow visible, but in the winter it is possible to ski down this slope right into the center of the town of Aspen.

35,000 Feet Above the Eastern Pacific

Location: 35,000 feet above the eastern Pacific Ocean

Getting through the airport may be one of the worst aspects of travel, but for me, scenes like the one in this photo are among the best parts of a trip.   I love the experience of flying.

I took this photo with my point-and-shoot camera during the cruise phase of a flight between Hawaii, where I live, and the mainland U.S., where I am visiting at present.  Stay tuned for a few photos from my trip.

Monkey Pod Tree

Monkey Pod (Samanea saman)

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

Last time, I posted a macro photo of the blossoms on a Monkey Pod tree.  Several people who saw that photo asked what the whole tree looked like.  Here's a photo of a Monkey Pod tree (along with some young mango trees on the left, and some coconut trees on the right).  It is favored in Hawaii as a shade tree, and you can readily see why.  The Monkey Pod tree typically has a wide, dome-shaped canopy.  They grow to a very large size -- about 80 feet in height.

Monkey Pod Tree In Flower

Monkey Pod (Samanea saman)

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

A favorite shade tree in Hawaii is the Monkey Pod (Samanea saman).  They can grow to an immense size, and their spreading branches form a beautifully shaped canopy.  At this time of year, they flower.   Eventually the flowers will become dark bean-shaped seed pods, but for now, we admire the delicate blossoms.

Update:  Here is a photo showing the whole Monkey Pod tree.

Bobcat Pair

Bobcat (Felis rufus)

Location: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, near Tucson, Arizona, USA

Yesterday I posted a photo of a female Bobcat.   These photos, taken during the same visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, show the same individual with her mate.  In the first photo here, the female has begun to groom, while her mate watches.  In the second photo, taken a short time later, the male begins to groom, too -- with a little help from his mate.