Sonoran Desert boondocking during Spring means birdwatching and walks among the cactus and flowers plus expansive and colorful sunset skies. And even a few sunrises.
After a couple days visiting Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Richard and I enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Granny’s in Why. He hit the road about 11am and after coming out of my parked camper I thought Paul and Gary’s campers were in the lot so I went back into the restaurant, walked up to a table and said, “you folks really have to stop following me.” Before realizing they weren’t people I know. Oops. They laughed along with me, or maybe at me.
I continued north to Darby Well Road and found a camp, exactly where I parked in 2020 while waiting to hear about returning to work at Bryce Canyon during the pandemic.
Greeted by the song of a Cactus Wren cinched the site.
Not to mention the lovely purple cast of Phacelia to the surroundings.
And at 65° I enjoyed a 360 sunset from my newest home view of Sonoran Desert boondocking.
A real surprise waking up in time for sunrise and early light on the western mountains.
Then I spent most of the day taking care of housekeeping, on the computer because I rarely do housework. The hard drive was almost full, lots of photos, so I had to back these up on external drives to clear space for more.
In the afternoon I spent time sitting outside under mostly cloudy skies reading and taking photos as the mood, and light, struck.
Finally, sunset put on a show.
The next morning my phone switched to daylight savings. What the hell, we don’t do that in Arizona, especially when Sonoran Desert boondocking. Took me a while to fix it.
Then I checked the trail-cam, and sure enough a coyote came through the previous night. I put out a pan of water and they must sniff it out.
After that delicious breakfast at Granny’s, I was inspired to make one-pan Chilaquiles for breakfast. Even took video of the process that may eventually make it to my YouTube channel. Turned out real tasty.
Spent the rest of the day writing the last blog post and watching birds through the windows from my truckcamper birdhide while Sonoran Desert boondocking.
Once again the trail-cam caught a coyote during the night. They aren’t usually out during daylight when I can see them.
Anna’s Hummingbird Phainopepla
But I do see a lot of birds during the day, especially when I get out for a walk.
Plus lots of other discoveries while walking near my Sonoran Desert boondocking.
The partly cloudy day makes for nice backdrops that turn into superb sunsets.
Sometimes the trail-cam catches nothing at all, could be the wind in the flowers and Palo Verde tree. Birds don’t set it off flying by.
However I saw plenty of birds, especially while walking in the Sonoran desert. I’d been photographing a Curve-billed Thrasher on a Saguaro in the distance when it took off in flight and headed my way.
One of the things I love about walking in the desert, I’m never far from or rarely out of sight of camp and that way my no-trail wanderings don’t get me lost.
Wonderful views in every direction and all times of day.
Cloudless in the morning changed to layers of gray as a prelude of the rainy next day predicted.
I woke to a light rain that lasted intermittently all day. And at 70° with windows open the air smelled fresh with creosote petrichor.
Even Sierra enjoyed the aroma.
Trail-cam caught coyote four times between 2-5am.
I spent most of the day working on a video and enjoying the cloudy views from my windows while Sonoran Desert boondocking.
Sun broke through late to highlight the Ajo Mountains to the distant north.
Another partly cloudy morning greeting with a pretty sunrise.
Other than a short walk around camp I again worked on a video. I like the challenge of making videos but it does take a lot of time to edit which cuts into my outside play time and reading. Plus I need a strong signal to load the finished video onto YouTube. I’m really not complaining, just stating a fact.
Once more the trail-cam caught coyote overnight, along with a spiderweb. Time to clean the lens.
Bumper rock collection from Darby Well Road camp
That’s OK, because it had to be packed away for my trip to town. I was almost out of cream for coffee and had no fresh fruit.
Plus I figured to treat myself to lunch at Tacos el Tarasco with green sauce for St. Patrick’s Day. Seems an extra treat because town is only about 20 minutes away. And while in town I had enough signal to load the next video of my drive from Owl to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Yes, I am weeks behind posting both video and blog posts. This all happened between March 10th to 17th.
Once back in camp Sierra waited her turn to get online. Then we settled in for another week of Sonoran Desert boondocking.
I will make a trail-cam coyote video soon, so watch for it on my Youtube channel. What, not subscribed yet? Why not?
How would you feel about listening to my story along with photos and video, instead of reading?
You sure have adventures! I’ve only seen coyotes three times in the daytime here. Since 2010! They seem to know to stay away.
Great photos as ever. What a great spot you found. Take care!
Thanks. At my Skull Valley home I saw coyotes during the day. I do love this desert.
Gorgeous photos, as always! I think your unidentified bird is a house finch or purple finch. 🙂
Thanks. I was thinking house finch but it seemed out of place.
“How would you feel about listening to my story along with photos and video, instead of reading?”
I would feel left out! My hearing is poor when speaking with someone face to face. It is extremely poor when trying to listen to a video, TV, radio or on a telephone.
Why is it you want to give up the written word? I have noticed that your blog has moved to more pictures (worth a thousand words) and less written narrative over the years and now you are taking it on step further. I guess you are simply moving with the times since there are more and more people that can’t read.
I wish you good luck but you will lose me when you go to all photos and video.
Thanks for that feedback. I don’t want to give up writing, I love it. I take more photographs now so that’s probably why the posts become photo heavy. I might do both blog and vlog.
Unidentified bird could be a House Finch or a Purple Finch.
Can identify by song on http://www.allaboutbirds.org.
Thanks. Was thinking house finch but didn’t hear it’s song.
I might have a hard time just listening. For me the quiet option of reading is better. I like the blog and also know how hard it is to keep it caught up. I hope you will continue to write but I get it. How would we see the photos if you did an audio version? As always great photos. Fun coyote pictures too. Stay cool. We are still having sporadic winter in Grants Pass.
Thanks for the feedback. Don’t think I want to give up blogging but may do more video with still photos and narration also. Sorry to hear about winter. Going into the 90s later this week.
The Arizona sky seems to change colors showing off its various moods. As always great photos, they will be missed if your blog goes video. As others have mentioned I prefer to read blogs and not watch them.
Thanks for the feedback. I may end up blogging and vlogging.
Spectacular photo’s here Gaelyn especially of sunsets and sunrise. Sierra is loving your journey’s by the look of it. I think I am subscribed to your Utube so will watch when you add this one .Hope all is well with you enjoy the rest of this week and stay safe.
Thanks. I so love the Sonoran Desert.
Your story about mistaken identity is great. I’ll bet they loved it.
I’m going to have to do some serious research into the Sonoran Desert.
Your pictures of the landscape are just fabulous. And desert flowers –
I’ve never heard of Chilaquiles. Your unidentified bird looks like a finch to me but I know nothing about western birds. You are no further behind than I am.
Thanks. I’m glad those people could laugh with me. Not much water but I think you’d like this Sonoran Deert. The bird is probably a House finch, but I didn’t expect to see one of those.
Stunning photos. I really love the golden light on those vistas!
Thanks. You know how gorgeous the desert is.
Another lovely morning read with breakfast and yet another beautiful location for your home. Thank you for sharing. I do like reading the blog but could adapt to video if that’s the route you choose. LOL- the mistaken identity – reminds me of going to the parking lot after grocery shopping and trying to get in the wrong vehicle; adds a little humor to the day!
Thanks. Don’t think I could totally give up the blog but…
First, I loved seeing another curved bill thrasher, and in flight! Seeing Spring sprung. Thinking of Ajo, spouse was thoroughly mistaken for Santa by a little girl and literally hugged our table there:) Last two days I skirted the Kofa with a friend and visiting Quartzsite cousin and thought of you. Joann’s books doing fine and bit more organized:) I loved contrast of two photos of sunsets; blue/pink, and oranges. Thanks for more trail cam, and phainopepla, one of my favorite desert birds.
Thanks. Seeing the thrasher fly right at me was awesome. Another case of mistaken identity. LOL. Must have felt nice to be in the warm desert. I hear it’s still quite chilly up home.
That coyote is keeping an eye on you and Sierra.
Wow, beautiful places you go to camp, hike, and wander. Totally jealous.
Videos with sound don’t work for me very well. When I’m reading blogs I am always in the living room sitting with Heather while is watching television or reading. I save them up until I am by myself.
Thanks, I do love this desert but it’s getting HOT. And there’s more beautiful places to come.
Thanks for the feedback. Seems a lot of people feel that way about video sounds. I’m not quitting the blog, yet.