Foto Friday Fun 362: every picture tells a story

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by 11 readers including Grand Canyon through the years, South African wildlife, and a little me.

Jim and Diana chose #179.  There are three ways to get to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of Grand Canyon, hike like I did the first time in 2008, when I saw these mules another way, and you can raft along the Colorado River from Lee’s Ferry which I haven’t done yet.

Diane and Nigel chose #105.  She is so good at close-up shots of birds, plants, and insects.  This is a feeble attempt at lichen on dead wood along the Cave Creek trail in Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon when I worked at Oregon Caves in 2007.  To give perspective, the pine needles are barely 1/2 inch/1.27 cm long.

Rita chose #1865.  She doesn’t like snakes so I hope this Sun lizard doesn’t fall in the same category.  Saw these quite regularly around stream crossings while hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa in 2010.

Jeff chose #1890, “year the Sisters of Mercy began medical facilities in northern San Diego.”  I was a long ways from medical facilities on the above mentioned hike where I found these small pieces of blue agate along a section of basalt on the trail.

Sherry chose #5820 for the date of this posting.  I’ve posted much in the ten summers at the North Rim Grand Canyon and took way more photos than could be shared so I truly love coming across a gem like this.  An evening shot before sunset during the end of September monsoon showed crepuscular rays and a touch of cloudy inversion around Oza and Isis Buttes in 2016.

Yogi chose #7321.  Almost as good as late light above is the morning light on Grand Canyon’s Angels Gate behind the Deva and Brahma temples.  Also taken during September monsoon, this time in 2014, low clouds can be seen in the distance hanging over the San Francisco Peaks.

Jo chose #5010, for the 1st of May when her South African “lockdown restrictions were slightly eased primarily to get our economy back onto its feet again.”  Kruger National Park, where this shot of birds and hippos was taken in 2014, is currently open.

Sallie and Bill chose #362, in honor of Foto Friday Fun number’s this week.  Another morning shot from the North Rim across Grand Canyon taken the end of June my first season there in 2008.

Doris chose #4755.  Look closely in the tall grass for a baby elephant keeping close to Mom in Kruger National Park, South Africa during my 2014 visit.

Lisa chose #60, “for the number of dog and human fingers and toes in the house currently.”  There would have been 80 of the same, all human, when this shot was taken in April 1956 of me and my dad in Hinsdale, Illinois.  Cool car.

Melissa chose #2782, “for my May daughter Deja, who you are getting to know quite well at Christmas time, lately!”  She refers to her daughter ordering my calendar for Mom’s present.  But you all may be getting to know this view quite well, taken from the North Rim Grand Canyon looking across Widforss Point to Oza and Isis Buttes under more crepuscular rays during September monsoon 2010.

My choice from Mary’s garden pond are the tiny fishes and a water snake.  (Sorry Rita.)

Thank you for playing along with Foto Friday Fun which allows me to share these photographs and memories.  For more of the story just follow the links.  Please join in next week by leaving a number between 0001 and 9999 in your comment below.

Do you have a favorite this week?

I am on my way to Bryce for the summer.  I want to thank all of you for stopping by, reading, and commenting.  You may not realize how much you all helped me get through a rough winter.  Thank you.