By the Z-side

There are no colors like the tropical colors, especially during the part of summertime when the rain cleans all the dust away and turns the landscape a deep green interspersed with colorful flowers. The smaller the latitude the brighter the colors seem. Hardly a day goes by that I haven't appreciated this even though I've lived in the tropics for well over 45 years. The natural world is indeed a treasure, and we would do well to work harder to conserve it rather than continuing to steal from and abuse it.

Unfortunately local authorities who are about to leave office in a couple of months are dead set on passing an ethically and legally questionable zoning change to open up over 400 hectares of our ecological zones to development as a tribute to their political benefactors who along with the outgoing officials stand to make millions from the deal. Yet instead of showing any sympathy or respect for locals concerned about the environment, today's paper had a scathing commentary from the local Síndico insulting everyone who is against the zoning change. A parting shot from the worst local government Zihuatanejo has ever had. Makes me appreciate the natural beauty of our town all that much more, because at the rate we're going there won't be much left if the local Regidores vote this Friday in favor of the major zoning change that will condemn Zihuatanejo to a future similar to present-day Acapulco. Where are some good tar and feathers when you need'em?

Bait fish school right off the beach during the morning in our precious bay, whose beaches just got one of their cleanest bills of health in recent years from Cofepris, including Playa Principal.

A colorful bench on the lovely though decrepit Paseo de los Pescadores, part of our infrastructure unfortunately abandoned by the current municipal government.

I almost can't resist taking photos of my favorite tree, the Flamboyant, while they are in bloom.

An agave plant in our Ixtapa garden lends itself to a little artistic license.