Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 03, 2025

Memories of the Rim Country

Over the twenty-three years that Denis and I have been married, we've traveled thousands of miles within the state of Arizona-- many of them off paved roads. I thought this state was beautiful to begin with, but once Denis and I started taking the Jeep off road, I learned that we'd only scratched the surface of beautiful by staying on asphalt and concrete.

One of our favorite places is up in the high country. If you think Arizona is nothing but rocks, sand, and cactus, think again. We have plenty of mountains and-- shock!-- at least three ski resorts. People have gotten lost in snowstorms and died here. Anyway, we've spent many enjoyable days up in the Rim Country, and I cherish these memories, particularly since large swaths of the landscape have been consumed by wildfires. How large? Well over ONE MILLION acres, that's how large. 

I've seen so many of our favorite places up in the cool, pine-scented mountains leveled by fire, and it breaks my heart to know that I'll never see them as beautiful again in my lifetime. Recently, another fire broke out in Greer, Arizona-- a spot especially dear to my heart. (It's the highest town in the state at an elevation of almost 9,000 feet.) About 20,000 acres were consumed before the fire could be contained. This led me to bringing up photos on my computer to relive some memories, and I thought I would share a few with you.


On our way to Greer at the end of May one year, we stopped at Black Canyon Lake to enjoy a snowstorm.



There are all sorts of wildlife up in the Rim Country. Denis and I had to stop to let a family of javalina cross the road on one trip.



The Rim Country has been inhabited for thousands of years, and it's not unusual to find petroglyphs tucked away in the Ponderosa pines.



A curious Abert's squirrel



There are many wildlife areas in the Greer-Springerville area, like the Becker Lake Wildlife Area where Denis and I sat and watched dozens of swallows swoop back and forth over the water.



Also in the Springerville area, you can sit in the parking lot at McDonald's and watch a lively prairie dog town in the field next door.



And so many flowers! This wild iris reminds me of my grandmother.



The Mogollon Rim cuts 200 miles across northeastern Arizona from Flagstaff all the way to the New Mexico border. When you stand on the edge (this is close to Black Canyon Lake), you feel as though you're on top of the world. Nothing but blue sky, mountains, and endless forests in sight.



This golden-mantled ground squirrel lived at Black Canyon Lake. He loved Doritos, and I named him Oliver because he was always coming back for more. Whenever we were in the area, Denis and I would stop (with healthier snacks) to feed Oliver and his buddies. They would take food right from my hand.



So many birds up in the Rim Country, too, but my favorite is the Steller's Jay. Quite the personality!



Denis and I loved renting cabins in Greer. That's our Jeep parked at one of them. On another trip, we rented one with a hot tub on the deck. It was winter, and the two of us sat in the hot tub late at night to watch the Geminids meteor shower. 



The cabin with the hot tub was also right on the banks of the Little Colorado River, and I would sit on the deck and watch a great blue heron fish every morning.



In the Greer area, you can also be up in the pines and look out over the Springerville volcanic field. (That's Denis.)



It's quite an abrupt change from trees to the volcanic field. Almost as though a line had been drawn.



Another shot of the view from the edge of the Mogollon Rim.



Unfortunately, not all are clouds. Fire has been so devastating here in Arizona.


Thanks for coming along with me on my trip down Memory Lane. I hope you enjoyed it.

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Visiting Caipora at the Phoenix Zoo

Two weeks ago, Denis and I scheduled a trip to the Phoenix Zoo specifically to see their new Big Cats of Arizona exhibit. Unfortunately, Dial-a-Ride was extremely late, and the loud woman complaining about how bad the driver was only made him drive slower. By the time we finally arrived at the zoo, we barely had an hour to explore, but what we did manage to see was choice. Come join us!


There's usually at least one egret hanging out here. Thursday was no exception.



These three javalinas found some shade. That one definitely looks like it's thinking, "What are you lookin' at?"



I went zipping around a corner and almost flattened this gopher squirrel. Didn't seem to bother it a bit because it barely moved.



Denis and I went to the zoo specifically to see its new Big Cats of Arizona Exhibit. It was rather fitting that the first time I saw Caipora the jaguar was when she was pacing overhead.



Caipora was very restless.



She was also very vocal-- and gorgeous!


Canyon Spotted Whiptail lizard



Daisies always make me smile.


I found a very informative YouTube video about the new Big Cats of Arizona exhibit. I couldn't get it to embed properly in this post, so I'm sharing a link to it instead. It's well worth the watch.

I hope you enjoyed your whirlwind visit!

Sunday, April 27, 2025

With Karen at the Desert Botanical Garden

In between visits to Denis at the hospital and rehab, Karen and I did manage to get out and about. We did some shopping as well as visiting a couple of my favorite places. You know that the Desert Botanical Garden had to be one of those places! Come along with us on a very busy day.


Once inside, the first thing that caught my eye (after the hordes of people) was one of my favorite wildflowers, the desert bluebell.



The Desert Wildflower Trail is one of the most popular parts of the garden, and it certainly didn't disappoint this year.



I love owl clover!










Karen and I found this little mourning dove at the side of the trail. It had a run-in with a cholla and had two big pieces stuck to it. The bird picked one piece, and when it flew away, the other chunk fell off. (Just one way the cholla extends its range.)



On the other hand, this curve-billed thrasher didn't have any problems with the cholla it was sitting it. The bird serenaded us for quite some time before we moved on.



I told you Karen was with me! Here she is enjoying one of the many water features in the garden.




We didn't arrive in time to watch this egret catch its lizard lunch, but the bird didn't move on until its lunch had gone all the way down that long throat!



Karen at the Toward 2050 exhibit. From the website: "Explore an engaging exhibit led by textile-based artist Ann Morton, centered on community and environment. TOWARD 2050 invites the public to craft handmade artworks that express their views on the environment. These unique creations will come together in a captivating labyrinth installation at the Garden that encourages visitors to take steps towards addressing climate change."



Toward 2050 exhibit



Karen and I loved this Twisted Cactus.



Red Wing Hopbush



Kalanchoe








Agave blossom


Karen and I had a wonderful time. I hope you enjoyed your virtual visit, too!

Monday, January 27, 2025

Basking at the Phoenix Zoo

Denis and I boarded the Dial-a-Ride bus and headed to the Phoenix Zoo last Thursday. It was a beautiful day but cold. Get ready to laugh-- it was in the low 60s (16°C) with a biting cold wind. Now I know as well as y'all do that temperatures in the 60s really aren't cold, but they are if you've lived in the desert for years! Remember, I'm the weirdo who's perfectly comfortable sitting in the pool with my book when it's 120° (49°C). I don't do cold. 

But I did Thursday because it was the first time since late last spring that Denis and I had been able to go to one of our favorite places, the Phoenix Zoo. We were hoping to see the two lion cubs, but they were hiding. Instead we saw plenty of other critters, most of whom were snoozing and basking in the sun. Let me share some of the photos I took.


The javalina were one of the few active critters.


There was plenty of action in the prairie dog enclosure.


There were three egrets hanging out with the prairie dogs. You can see how breezy it was by this egret's feathers.


This turkey vulture was also keeping an eye on things.


A face only a mother could love.


It was chilly enough that even the pigeons were finding sunny spots to warm up in.

The Phoenix Zoo participates in the Arabian oryx breeding program and has celebrated 240 births. The Zoo contributed to the first oryx re-introduction effort in the Arabian peninsula.


Even the tortoises were snoozing in the sun.


This mandrill must be having a good dream; he's smiling.


African painted dog


There's always something in bloom in the Sonoran Desert.


One cheetah was strolling in the sun.


While the other was taking a nap.


One of my springtime favorites, the brittlebush.


Please do not disturb the maned wolf.


I wouldn't disturb the jaguar either if I were you.


Do jaguars snore?


Blooming rosemary


This is the first time I've seen a Visayan warty pig.


The zookeepers were keeping a close watch on a pair of rhinoceros hornbills who were billing, cooing, nestbuilding, and doing the deed.


Black swans


The siamangs were the most active, but this one was in a more contemplative mood.


Siamangs grooming each other.


Siamang Swing



Did we enjoy our day out? You'd better believe it! (And I think the smile on Denis' face is proof.) We had some time to wait for Dial-a-Ride, so we took a page from the zoo residents' handbook and found a patch of sun to bask in while we waited. Naturally, I spent my time reading. Like you folks, I'm never without a book!

I hope you enjoyed your little virtual tour of the zoo. Denis and I are already planning our next outing. Just this morning, he asked me, "When are we going to the Desert Botanical Garden?"

Good question!