My person and I went out on an extra long walk. A century plant trek.
We started out on the trail where most of the century plants were last year. We figured we’d find lots of them. Well, my person figured. I was just happy for the walk.
We found some century plants.
The old dead ones from last year.
But there were only a couple new century plants on this whole trail, and they weren’t even in full bloom yet.
So we headed back. The trail is a loop so we kept looking for century plants on the way back.
And then we found it.
.
Century Plant Hill.
There were lots of century plants on this hill. Last year there were only two.
If you look really close you can even see the bugs flying around the flowers.
Speaking of bugs, they were everywhere. Especially on my person because she doesn’t have lots of hair to protect her like I do. Those little “no see ‘ems” that come out this time of year were all over her arms.
So we headed back home.
But my person still couldn’t stop taking pictures, even though the bugs were worse around the plants.
I thought maybe if I turned the color off…
the bugs would go away. But they didn’t…
so I turned the color back on again.
One last look at Century Plant Hill and we headed home.
Come on, person. I said we were heading home. I don’t care if there’s a bird in that plant. You have to look really close to see it.
Well, if you’re going to stop and take pictures of birds, then you’d better show the picture of me…
and the new friend I made on the way to Century Plant Hill.
This part was way more fun than looking for century plants.
bongodogblog 
Genevieve Petrillo
June 6, 2013 at 11:07 am
That would’ve been the shortest walk in history after the bugs came. Mom can’t handle it. Your little friend is cute. And it looks like he smells good, too!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Bongo
June 6, 2013 at 11:57 am
Cupcake, my little friend did smell good. I hope I get to hang out with him again soon. I’ve seen him on my trails before, but this was the first time that I actually got to meet him.
marina kanavaki
June 6, 2013 at 11:14 am
Oh, I don’t know, Bongo, it looks like you did have lots of fun with those Century plant trees! I loved your idea to turn color off and back on. Your person obviously followed your instructions very well, because she’s taken great shots! Ok, your friend looks nice too…
🙂
Bongo
June 6, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Thanks Marina. It was a fun walk. I don’t get to go on those trails very often.
susank456
June 6, 2013 at 12:34 pm
Wonderful pictures!
Bongo
June 6, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Thanks Susan.
Two French Bulldogs
June 6, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Those are some cool and funky looking plants. We see them around here too
Benny & Lily
Bongo
June 6, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Benny & Lily, they sure are some strange plants. I wonder if the bugs leave messages on them and that’s why there are so many bugs hanging around.
Taz
June 6, 2013 at 3:56 pm
We don’t even have trees like that around here. They are pretty awesome, have to say.
Bongo
June 6, 2013 at 4:52 pm
Taz, most of the time these are little short plants called agave, then this time of year a few of them grow big and tall and turn into century plants.
BZ Dogs
June 6, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Impressive!
Bongo
June 6, 2013 at 10:26 pm
Thanks BZ.
lisatenzindolma
June 7, 2013 at 12:52 am
Fabulous photos!
Bongo
June 7, 2013 at 10:19 am
Thanks.
Dalton
June 7, 2013 at 3:00 am
Why are they moving – do trees migrate??
Bongo
June 7, 2013 at 10:22 am
Dalton, the plants they grow out of – agave – are all over my trails. They grow into century plants once every 10 to 25 years (the name century plant is because someone thought they sprouted once every hundred years). Then they die and drop their seeds and grow new agave plants. So every year I have to go searching for where the century plants are.
eripanwkevin
June 7, 2013 at 7:03 am
Those century plants pictures are breathtakingly beautiful! I love “turn the color off” one whic looks mysterious!
I didn’t know that you have Century Plant Hill on your trails Bongo! That sounds fun! 🙂
Bongo
June 7, 2013 at 10:23 am
Thanks Kevin. Century Plant Hill is cool, but next year the century plants might find a new place to hang out.
kolytyi
June 7, 2013 at 10:23 am
Your person should wear a wetsuit near to Century Plants. Thus, till she puts it on or takes it off (it is hard work…), you would have more time for making friends with that cute little dog.
Bongo
June 7, 2013 at 10:27 am
Kolytyi, great idea! I think I’ll go get one for my person now. Wait! I have to go all the way to California to get one? There’s no diving in Arizona? What do you mean, nobody dives in the creek? She just needs a wetsuit for bugs.
tylersat99
June 7, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Bongo Mom loves the century plants and she says the view behind them of the mountains is beautiful. Apparently the century plants don’t need much water. It’s great you got a long walk and met a new friend. Those bugs would be all over Mom too. She attracts all the bugs in summer and really hates that but she takes us on walks anyway:-)
Bongo
June 7, 2013 at 11:25 pm
Lexie and Mica, the walk was great, and those century plants definitely don’t need much water. They sprout from agave plants, which are succulents. I guess that means they suck up a bunch of water when there is some. This time of year, mid-May to mid-June, the cedar gnats are out. The people here call them “no see ’ems” because they’re so small, but there sure are a lot of them. They should be gone soon. Yay!
angelswhisper2011
June 9, 2013 at 2:19 am
We love your Century Plants, but not the bugs. Are they mean and stitchy Bongo? Your new friend looks very cute, he’s as black and whitey as I am 🙂
Bongo
June 10, 2013 at 10:00 pm
Little Binky, Gizmo is kind of like you – but he’s gray and white.
dianeskitchentable
June 9, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Pretty cool century plants Bongo – we don’t have any of those here but we have plenty of bugs – no see ‘ums, now the deer flies & yes, we’re getting those nasty mosquitoes now too.
Bongo
June 10, 2013 at 10:05 pm
Lola, at least we don’t get many mosquitoes on my trails. I guess cause there’s no water to be found. But some people have worse reactions to the no see ‘ums.
colliesofthemeadow
June 11, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Too cool! But what we really want to know is how to turn the color off….. its got possibilities… heheheh -The Collies!
Bongo
June 11, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Collies, I think turning the color off has to do with your viewpoint. Some people – and dogs – see everything in black and white.