Zion Rocks!

SPRINGDALE, UT - - Images along the Hidden Canyon Trail.

Quiz time

SPRINGDALE, UT - - The above hummingbird was working on a full tank of fuel, which, if it we gas, would be $3.25 per gallon and up.
This is a quiz to see if you can figure out which of the squirrel(s) in the above/below photos will get a citation from the Park Rangers for misdemeanor stupidity. Hint: this involves getting stranded in the middle of the Virgin River...jokes about virginity and stupidity are not allowed.

This and that

SPRINGDALE, UT - - Today's excursion has taken us to Zion National Park. One thing missed in yesterday's posting was Red Rocks Canyon, which is on the road into Bryce Canyon NP. The colors were quite interesting...as in the top photo. On arrival in Zion NP at about 9am we were lucky enough to get one of the park's campsites with a great view of the limestone cliffs behind.

More Bryce Canyon pics

GLENDALE, UT - - Here are additional photos to go with the previous blog.

Hiking among the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon NP

GLENDALE, UT - - The hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park, like the huge sentinels in Monument Valley, are what the tourists come to see. You can get a good idea of the strata from the look out points, but to really see the hoodoos you need to hike into the canyon. We did just that from Bryce Point via connecting trails to Sunrise Point...a bit over 4 miles by going down nearly 1,800' and then back up the same amount. Rainwater does some sculpting of the hoodoos, but the main artistic endeavor is the freeze and thaw cycle which Bryce experiences on average 200 days per year. The pink-ish and white colors on the limestone in the Claron Formation come from plant/root oxidation while the white comes from the evaporation of the clearer water over time.

Valley of the Gods

KANAB, UT - - We were on our way to Monument Valley when the turnoff to Valley of the Gods showed up. It's a 15-mile winding dirt road through some spectacular scenery. So, off we went despite my misgivings about beating up the VW Bus. No problem. What the challenge ended up being was that there were so many good shots it was hard to choose. So here's one shot in which the stone formations look like soldiers standing guard. Nothing like a couple of open range road blocks to give the bottom photo some added scenery.

For more VoG shots, link to Lydia's blog.

Cliff Palace

CORTEZ, CO - - While the scenery in Mesa Verde National Park is stunning, it is the cliff dwellings tourists come to see. The Cliff Palace, on Chapin Mesa, is the largest of the artifacts. Ranger-led tours are the only way you can visit the dwellings. Fortunately, there are plenty of free photo opportunities.

Art-y

CORTEZ, CO - - My title for this photo is: pinyon pine with clouds and brush. There are numerous areas in Mesa Verde National Park which are covered with dead pinyon pines, the victims of the ravages of forest fires. Some seem to be posing for the camera.

Ride this train

DURANGO, CO - - The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which is on the Register of National Historic items, runs coal fired steam engines built in the 1920's to make the 52 (Cascade) and 74 (Silverton) mile round trips. Prior to May 8 only the Durango-Cascade run was available so that's what we took. If you look closely at the locomotive you can sea the hopper filled with large chunks of coal. The engine needs to vent a steam/water combo once a trip which took place as we crossed a railway bridge over the Animas River at 7200' and climbing.

Pics for Taos - Durango trip

Obviously, I put these up in reverse to yesterday's post.

Taos, NM to Durango, CO

DURANGO, CO - - After three attempts of 10+ minutes each to upload photos, I decided to just try words. We left Taos, New Mexico headed for Durango, Colorado and soon arrived at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. The 600' span over the gorge has a walkway on either side which was great for photos providing you put the vibration/shaky feeling of the motor homes and large trucks passing out of your mind...while you were looking at the river 565' below. The Rio Grande is the fifth longest river in North America. In Big Bend NP in Texas you would wade across it. No chance here. We also traveled through NM high country including Carson National Forest where Rt. 64/84 had signs advising of snow plowing yesterday. One motor home driver had tried his own brand of snowplowing in a drive through rest stop along the road. There was no sign of individuals, but the motor home was stuck about halfway in/out. Will try to post the pics tomorrow.

Out in space they're listening

SANTA FE, NM - - I don't tell many people that I fully believe I saw a flying saucer in 1950. Lydia has ribbed me about this since our trip a couple of years ago to Rachel, NV - - a must-see stop for UFO junkies near Area 51. While the little green aliens weren't around Area 51 when we were there, they we in abundance in Roswell, NM. They have the International UFO Museum and Research Center; Roswell has a UFO convention which draws ALL sorts of individuals - - from this planet and plenty who claim to be from outer space. The visitor center comes with it's own personal alien (that's me on the right). Even the fast food joints have 'Welcome Alien' on their signs out front. Lydia has had a good old time quizzing me on all things green and saucer shaped flying objects.

ROSWELL, NM - - This is the coffee shop in Terlingua Ghost Town. It appeared to be the center of activity for the locals and two interlopers (us). This is a way, way laid back place close to but not quite in the middle of nowhere. The conversations - - which were hard to miss - - centered on what went on last night; what would go on tonight; who had a job; who needed a job; why bother with the pain of trying to get a job and one much older individual's beer fueled ramblings. Much like Key West 40 years ago, minus the Atlantic/Gulf.

long road

ROSWELL, NM - - This cloud formation was along TX Rt. 180 on our way to Guadalupe Mountains NP where we camped for the night. We went from nearly 100 degrees in Rio Grande Village Thursday afternoon to a windy 45 degrees this morning in the NP. Spotty wi-fi areas has put us behind in our photo montage of the trip.

Place to place

TERLINGUA, TX - - We're in Terlingua Ghost Town, home of the world famous chili cook off, at a coffee house with wi-fi and a panoramic view of wide open west Texas'. Now, the above picture is of Judge Roy Bean's "Famous" bar and court house in Langtry, TX - - about 300 miles west.. Judge Roy was known as the Law West of the Pecos. We've been in Big Bend NP for two days. A great place - - see Lydia's blog for more info - - and now we're on the road again to somewhere.

Good coffee

WEST COLUMBIA, TX - - Monday's trip started with a drive from our campground Lake Fausse State Park to Saint Martinsville. Good move! We spotted this cafe: catchy name and a sign in the window advertising 'Hot Beignets'. The coffee was good and the beignets - - deep fried dough (squarish pieces) covered with powered sugar were tasty. A good breakfast usually starts off a good day.

What fun

WEST COLUMBIA, TX - - This post is coming to you courtesy of McDonald's free wi-fi. According to a sign on the counter, West Columbia was the first capital of the Texas Republic...thus the signs "Where Texas Began" that we've seen. Our day two trip on Sunday, which we looked forward to didn't come out the way we hoped. Louisiana, where we were anyway, is closed on Sunday. Better to read Lydia's blog so you get only one rant: lydiahinshaw.blogspot.com.

On the road again

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS - - It's 8 am and we're sitting in Coffee Fusion Cafe soaking up good coffee and free internet service. This is the beginning of Day Two of our trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for summer jobs. Today, it's everything Cajun a we wander south of New Orleans and then west in the land of crawfish and tobasco sauce.

The Queen goes ballistic

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - I took the Queen to the vet today. This is never fun. Lydia had to work so an hour before the trip we put The Queen into the pet carrier. This gave her an hour to let the rage build. In this pic from last year she is yawning but it's the same 'I want to rip you to pieces' pose she presented to the lady vet and her assistants to show her displeasure at being dragged to a checkup. And she yowled loud enough for everyone in the building to know she wasn't happy. The pupils in her eyes get big as saucers. Exactly like the eyes of the two (young) vet assistants as they tried to get her on the scale. They backed off and The Queen zipped into the pet carrier. She also had a bladder problem...but that worked out as they had to do tests on the urine. The standoff was on: The Queen screeching and huddling inside the carrier and the humans giving her plenty of breathing room. Ten minutes later the vet came back with the lab results and an assistant with a large towel and a pair of gloves which looked suspiciously like those the knights wore into battle in the middle ages.

The test(s) showed that the infection was gone. But, said the vet, "she should really have her rabies shot." She didn't say this with much conviction and the assistant was visibly not looking forward to trying to wrestle a 13.4-lb., de-clawed and highly pissed off cat out of the carrier and holding her for a rump shot. I declined the offer since we have to live with The Queen. Two hours at home and a few kitty treats later she had calmed down. I'm not so sure about the vet assistants.

Anniversary

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - April 17th marked the fourth anniversary of this blog. The year five action should kick off pretty soon when we head toward our summer job at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and wander around a bit before getting there.

A good deed?

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - - I rescued this nasty looking snapping turtle from the middle of a two lane highway while visiting my mother in upstate New York. This was my good deed for the day. I quickly realized that Mr. (or Mrs.) turtle didn't want to be rescued. I made a hasty attempt at physical movement as traffic approached. A lunge by this individual quickly showed me the error of my ways. It only took one close swipe of the long claws and lots of snapping by the steel clamp jaws. Luckily, traffic stopped so I could push and prod this aggressive individual with the fierce disposition using two long sticks. Was the turtle happy after we were safely out of the traffic lane? No way.

The ultimate Rails to Trails

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - - Here's the ultimate Rails to Trails trail. The Walkway over the Hudson (River) is a 1.2-mle long trail/walkway constructed on an elevated railroad bridge. A portion of the bridge burned in 1974. Since repairs would prove too costly the bridge was taken out of service. The WOTH opened late last year and joins Poughkeepsie and Highland with the Walkway Loop Trail extension lengthening the distance to 3.6-miles including a trip across the Mid-Hudson Bridge...as seen in the photo below along with the Highland-side railroad tracks.
The walkway, pilings and shadows on the river.

River reflection of the space shuttle Discovery

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Up, up and away. The space shuttle Discovery casts a reflection on the Halifax River. Perfect weather to see an early (6:21am) launch.

Attack

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - We usually walk through Central Park on our way back from our Saturday or Sunday morning stroll out to breakfast. Today, we took the Element and the cameras because we've seen hawks in this location lately.

We saw this osprey land with it's hard-caught meal. After a few minutes, I could sense that the osprey was about to take off. Usually this is because the bird senses our movement/danger to its location. Thus, I was ready when the osprey lifted off with it's fish. I didn't know about the imminent attack of another osprey until looking through the digital images later. So, it was a good AND lucky pic.

Guests at breakfast

De Leon Springs, FL - - Surrounded by the white ibis gang, this great blue heron takes a breakfast stroll at one of many new buffet (recent drainage) areas at Lake Woodruff NWR.

Lake Woodruff NWR early morning

DELEON SPRINGS, FL - - Saturday morning at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge proved to be good for our favorite passtime as the US Fish & Wildlife Service was in the process of draining an area within the NWR and low water and muck bring out the birds. Other areas provided nice 'just as the sun comes up' reflections but no birds.


This 'artsy' shot is your basic "we're out of here" move by the ibis/egret/heron clan I spooked. Below, a Great Egret looks as if it is peeking from behind the palm tree trunk...actually it's flying somewhere else so it's either a great action pic or one that only shows half a bird. Your pick.

Sharing

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Sunbeams on the carpet of the living room create a dilemma for our cats - - The Queen, in brownish-blond and white and the Princess, in black and white - - who are attracted to this almost daily occurrence like furry magnets. To take full advantage of this solar warming, the dynamic duo totally ignore each other.

Wandering around

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - We've been out wandering around looking for birds. The trio above were hanging out in a wetlands area on nearby Boardman Lane. The wood stork, ibis and young egret with green legs were keeping their eyes out for snacks.
Then there was a pelican food fight in the harbor of Fernandina Beach where fish were being cleaned while back at Boardman Lane there was an egret gathering.

Out and about

MERRITT ISLAND, FL - - Mr. & Mrs. Blue Winged Teal out for a swim at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. FYI: Mr. BWT has the white flashing on his facial area.

Wading, standing, flying

DELEON SPRINGS, FL - - We found the birds wading, standing and flying on our second visit to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. The Great Blue Heron above was hunting for snacks while even in reflection, the wood stork (middle) is still ugly. We saw this Great Blue (below) with the deformed foot a number of times as we walked along a canal.

Very BIG gator

DELAND, FL - - Getting too close is not recommended.

Hang on while I scratch my neck

DELAND, FL - - How good is your balance?? This great blue heron does pretty well attending to an itch. This was one of many photo opportunities during our trip to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in Deland on Saturday. There was also a surprise discovery....but you'll need to go to Lydia's blog (via the link on the left of the page) to see what caused us to take a detour and reverse our direction.

Mom, we're hungry

TIERRA VERDE, FL - - There was a whole lot of squawking going on in this heron family on Bird Island as the youngsters wait for mom to feed them. She isn't aloof although it looks that way. What really is happening is that mom's stomach is churning the fish she recently caught into mush and she regurgitates (like barfing) that mush into the beaks of her family. There are four hungry youngsters in that cluster
We met the raccoon family at our campsite in Ft. Desoto campground. Mom and five of her six rascals are pictured here. It seemed the sixth member was always too slow, too fast, too involved with something which was attention getting or just plain straggling along to get involved. The group made numerous forays into our site looking for food and almost got into our VW camper. See Lydia blog via the link on this page for more pictures of our adventure last weekend.

A different view

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - A 'fractured' view from our trip to the New Smyrna Beach Art Festival on Jan. 30.

Morning, Viera Wetlands

MELBOURNE, FL - - Our first trip to the Viera Wetlands proved to be promising. The Brevard County facility, whose correct title is the Rich Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera, is a 200 acre paradise for the bird watcher/bird photographer/nature lover. In the photo above, a lone green heron surveys the area from atop a dead/dying palm tree. The people we spoke to (and who knew to bring their long, long lens for photographing) said this was a 'slow' day. But we saw coots and herons; moorhens and hooded mergansers; a caracara plus a pair of northern shoveler ducks. To make ythings even easier the lakes/wetlands are ringed by berms to drive on.