That's the line for last minute boarding the ship in Jamaica! PJR and I missed it, we had gotten in a lot earlier, thank goodness and it was HOT! Took pic from our balcony!

Taigen, I am not positive, but I think that your pictures are of a Viceroy bf and not a Monarch. It is easy to confuse them. I have 3 books here on butterflies and the pictures fail to show either of them in both open wing and closed wing position. It is rare to catch a Monarch with it's wings spread open, so I decided to search out the differences in the two. Your butterfly has the curved black line crossing the middle of the hind wing that identifies it as a Viceroy.

I can't even begin to tell everyone how much I enjoy your hiking photos. As a kid I grew up on a 160acre dairy farm in N.E. Ohio and with the neighboring farms I had unencoumbered access to well over 700 acres of fields, meadows, woodlands and wetlands as my play yard. As an adult I have spent a lifetime backpacking, canoeing and primitive camping, but sadly at 64 yrs old I now suffer from COPD and I have rather limited mobility, but not meaning to say that I have entirely given up. After I retired I decided to take up photography once again (I had been a semi-pro back in the late 60's and early 70's). I started out with a backpack to carry my photo gear and that seemed to work well, but as the COPD got worse I had to begin carrying a portable oxygen tank too. With a 35lb backpack full of camera gear, an 8lb tripod and another 10lbs for the oxygen tank it was more than I could manage so I opted for a little wagon inwhich I can not only carry all the afore mentioned equip, I can also carry a nylon folding chair, 2gal water cooler and a thermos or two of coffee. When I bought the wagon I paid a bit more for what they call the ATW (All Terraine Wagon). the ATW wagon has wider tires so they don't sink in sand or mud as bad as the conventional wagons. Great for trips on a path in the woods or on the beach. I still need to get some camoflaged rip stop nylon and make a rain cover for the wagon, but that is a rainy day project. I may also make a red or gray cover for my trips around town...LOL. The wagon fits crosswise in the back of our Subaru Forrester hatchback, so when Jan & I get to out photo destination we can set the wagon down and head out. Sometimes I am up to a rather long hike and other times I just go a short distance, pop up a folding chair and take a break, thus completing our intended mission is short jaunts. Here is a pic of me sitting on the bank of a local pond shooting pictures of aquatic birds that frequent that site. Anne CT,,don't let anyone laugh at your idea, this wagon is the best $140 I have spent in years;

I replied to Casey's post before I saw this one. Yes indeed, very lucky you all are to live near such breathtaking scenery! And Jodi, you're lucky to have seen the beauty of Alaska so many times! Rocket is one healthy looking cat and his markings are unique and lovely, too! I bet he has a great appetite. :) Bigack, your lawns and plants always look so vibrant!