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Category: Kofa NWR

09 February 2021

Catching more than the moon at Kofa NWR

desert mts sun rays clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaLow temperatures with strong wind chased me away from Plomosa camp and after a night in town I went looking for the full moon at Kofa NWR (National Wildlife Refuge), not for the first time, where I’ve also shot the lunar eclipse.

morning light desert Palo Verde tree Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI woke up cold, 36°F, and running low on propane so packed up and headed to town.  Filled the propane tanks, bought some groceries and by 2pm was settled in at Shady Lane RV Court for a night in Quartzsite.  With another storm blowing in I wasn’t sure I’d get to see the full moon at all.

sales booths Tyson Wells Quartzsite ArizonaI didn’t particularly rush to leave in the morning then went to Tyson Wells and wandered the aisles of merchandise that I did not need.  Had fun chatting with the middle-aged hippy rock guys reminiscing about my time selling in Quartzsite over 20 years ago.  A couple years later caravanning with a friend 20 years older than I said she could flirt with the younger men as they wouldn’t take her seriously but I was still too young.  I might be there now.  Bought some RV stuff including finally finding the fuse cover latch in a package of two for $8.  Broke one that night trying to put it in.

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFinally headed back to Palm Canyon Road and parked on the BLM adjacent to the NWR to hopefully catch the full Wolf moon at Kofa.

Saguaro desert mts full moon clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Saguaro desert mts full moon clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut with the cloud cover even howling didn’t bring out the moon any better than these lousy shots and I hoped for clearer the next night.

Kofa Mts sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Kofa Mts clouds first light Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaDue to the heavy cloud cover I also ran out of solar-charged battery power that night so the Foto Friday Fun 400 post didn’t go out until morning.  And even then had to wait because morning clouds provided a magnificent sunrise I couldn’t walk away from.

desert Kofa Mts storm clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Kofa Mts in storm clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaA little rain fell, the clouds dropped low, about ten big fat drops hit the roof with a loud plop.

desert Kofa Mts storm clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe sky changed so rapidly all day it was difficult to keep up with the patches of light and shadow on the land.

desert mts rainbow clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaEven gifted by a rainbow.  These kinds of days are exciting if I have enough propane and power.

full moon behind Kofa Mts Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaNice and clear after dark for the rising moon at Kofa.  I was too lazy to bring out the tripod so just tried some handheld.

Saguaro cactus sunrise Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

sunrise moon set Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunrise

Then spent most of the next several days, with clear skies, processing photos.  I tried to get outside in the warmest of afternoon but even at 60° with a northern wind was too chilly for this lightweight.  That’s OK, because sitting inside I still soak up this awesome view of the Kofa Mountains.  I want my house right here. And my house is right here.

desert Kofa Mts clouds last light Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFebruary greeted me with yet another cloudy day and just a few raindrops.  The sky stayed gray all day with rays lighting up the mountains just before an uninspiring sunset.

Saguaro cactus desert mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Saguaro cactus desert mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe next day, also partly cloudy but warm enough at 69° to have the door and windows open in the afternoon.  Went for a walk to my nearby Saguaro cluster and I swear to seeing an Ironwood dragon guarding the desert.

Saguaro cactus desert last light Kofa Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Saguaro cactus desert last light Kofa Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Chocolate Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Chocolate Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe sunset was a show stopper with multiple encores in all directions.  I just couldn’t stop.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise sun rays clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Kofa Mts sunrise sun rays clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Kofa Mts sunrise sun rays clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFollowed by a morning sunrise like none other.  Bonus, I can just open my door and take photos of these amazing rays rising over the craggy Kofa Mountains.

The day was warm enough to sit outside for a while in the afternoon and I dug out a pair of shorts and exposed my lily-white legs until I couldn’t stay out of the wind while still sitting in the sun.

desert Kofa Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

sunset Chocolate Mts from Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe sunset turned yellow, orange, and red lingering for almost an hour of colors and at 70° I still had the door and windows open at dusk.

The next day a strong northeast wind kept me inside even at 60° as I worked on the next Foto Friday Fun post.  It wouldn’t load from Open Live Writer so I used the website dashboard instead.  Took a little longer that way, but what the hey.  I hoped the problems would work themselves out.  I took no photos and spent much of the day reading.

last light Kofa Mts Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFriday morning I slept in and missed the no cloud sunrise.  My morning routine includes a glance out the windows, starting up the laptop, feeding Sierra, making coffee, and getting online.  First email informs me my website is blank.  I don’t see it as blank, but it’s all fuckered up.  I spent time figuring out how to update the blog theme and although that didn’t fix the current funky looking post it did solve the months long comment problem.  Yippeeee!!!!!  Once again the procrastinator pulled it off, eventually.  I reposted Foto Friday Fun 401 from Live Writer no problem.  Better late than never.  Northeast wind at 59° kept me inside the rest of the day with no photos.  Good thing about the warmer temperatures is using less propane for heat.

I often loose track of the days.  Is that OK?  Doesn’t help when my weekly post about the week is at least a week behind real time.  But this one will almost catch me up again.

Kofa Mts sunrise glow Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaYesterday morning

As it gets closer to the time to move again I wonder, where next.  I’d actually be happy not moving from this very spot for at least a few more weeks.  However, I need to fill water and empty tanks, get supplies including most important cream for coffee, and take a shower. Maybe even do laundry. Then I can either return here or nearby. I am currently comfortably content circling Quartzsite.

Maybe tomorrow.

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Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, Quartzsite, United States clouds, desert, full moon, sunrise, sunset 30 Comments
05 January 2021

Planning around the holidays and full moon

Saguaro cactus full moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZTiming is everything when some camper tanks are full and others are empty so I found myself planning around the holidays and full moon.

desert mts sunset dusty clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZI really didn’t want to go to town, but needed a few groceries before the holidays.  So I left Dome Rock camp and went to Blythe, just across the Arizona/California border.  Also bought some killer adhesive construction glue that should work for the camper corners semi-repair.  Now I just need help, at least a little more strength than I and maybe a few more tools.  After a long afternoon in town, I returned to Kofa NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) and found a delightful cluster of Saguaros to camp near.  The wind hadn’t abated all day and the desert air was full of dust.

Sierra cat under afghanChilly Christmas eve morn with Sierra and I wrapped up in Gail’s afghan.  So, we stayed in, except for jumping in and out to shoot the amazing afternoon light and shadows.  Have I mentioned I’m getting most of my exercise going up and down the step on the camper?

 

last light Saguaro cactus desert mts dark sky Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

Saguaro cactus desert last light Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

Saguaro cactus desert mts clouds anticrepuscular rays Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ Twas the day before Christmas, sitting in my tiny house, wrapped in a blanket, with my cat, because thank goodness there wasn’t a mouse.
The sky was dull gray over the mountains so tall, even the inside temperature was chilly as I watched the propane level fall.
Then just before sunset a little light broke through, it first highlighted the cactus, then the mountains too.
Even more exciting to see, anticrepuscular rays rising above a tree.
And then bid goodnight on this desert Christmas Eve. 

Cholocate Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZAs I sat gazing out my windows and wishing this was my yard view, which it was temporarily, I wondered about living full-time in the Sonoran desert.  Wouldn’t it be nice to own some acreage to park my big 5th-wheel and call it home.  Space for friends to visit and park.  Might need more than solar to make AC work during the heat of summer.  A gal can dream.

Saguaro cactus shadows Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZMy Christmas gift is whatever the desert gives.  And when I saw this double shadow thing going on, my brain went to the “Mittens”, a famous rock formations at Monument Valley that shadows only twice a year.  I figured to catch it again the next day, but didn’t get the double.  Ah, the mighty saguaros that are so expressive.

desert Kofa Mts moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZThat night I started to watch for the last almost full moon of this year, this decade, this crazy 2020.  Thinking, how nice to have holidays and full moon.

crochet book camera laptop coffee cupThe day after Christmas felt warm enough that by 10am I opened the south-facing door then later sat outside reading until the wind picked up and brought a chill.  Dug out some yarn and crochet hook then googled stitches as I couldn’t remember. But once in hand it came back as finger memory. I’ve been wanting to make a hat from the African silk and mohair bought many years ago but figured to practice with some other wool acrylic yarn first. Need bright daylight for that. Also started reading about the local Sonoran Basin and Range geology. This is young, 6myo volcanic rock.

Kofa Mts sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZThe next morning I woke up in time for sunrise, and WOW!  Bummer my nearest neighbor’s RV was right in front of the actual rise.  But they pulled out later and I just smiled.

desert Kofa Mts early light Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZWarm enough later for a short saunter.

desert mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZAnd then, a spectacular sunset in several directions.  I just love turning in circles to enjoy those brilliant colors.  Plus, turning in circles helps keep me warm in the early morning.

mts first light clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZThen another beautiful morning gave me something to shoot and in panorama because the sky is so big.

desert Kofa Mts Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZClouds danced and played all day, twirling and swirling, leaving shadows behind and brightness before.  A tiny bit of rain fell.

Saguaro desert mt moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZSaguaro cactus moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

I figured on not seeing the full moon rise because of the clouds.  But they cleared later and still I missed the actual rise because it came up behind a tree.  But I still got some fun shots.

mts early light clouds crepuscular rays Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

desert Kofa Mts early light clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

Kofa Mts early light clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZAnd yet another great sunrise, without the neighbor in the picture.  If it wasn’t so early, I might could get used to being up to see the sun rise more often.

Saguaro cactus full moon rise Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

Saguaro cactus full moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZAnd although it was chilly, I was ready for the Cold Full Moon rise on Tuesday night.

desert RV mts first light full moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZPlus I caught the moon again in the morning.  Good planning for holidays and full moon.

window view RVs sunset clouds Shady Lane RV Crt Quratzsite AZBut with another holiday coming and soon to need propane I returned to Quartzsite’s Shady Lane RV Court for a one nighter to dump and fill.  Also took advantage of their delightful long hot shower.  The sunset brought lots of color, over the RVs instead of the desert cacti.

Before leaving town I spent about 2 ½ hours wandering Tyson Wells, that officially opens tomorrow. Was disappointed the Greek food guy wasn’t there or the brats and kraut truck wasn’t yet open.  What can I say, I like “fair food” once in a while. Talked to a marvelous lady from north of Panguitch, Utah selling lots of superb jewelry and nice beads, even real turquoise. I was tempted by a ring for $150 in the tiniest petti-point I’ve ever seen and drooled a bit over her “cheapest” squash blossom at $1300.  Sometimes, it’s just fun to look.

desert mts last light Plomosa Rd BLM AZAnd then I headed back to the desert on this last day of 2020.  This time I decided to go north of Quartzsite and off Plomosa Road so I’d have a different view. Plus, that puts me on the way back north towards my Wickenburg mail sometime in the near future.

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22 December 2020

Testing new solar under clouds in the winter desert

Kofa Mountaints low clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBecause I’d been staying plugged into electricity at Shady Lane RV Court I hadn’t gotten around to testing new solar on the camper.  Time to head out into the desert and off grid.

Seems there’s always town chores to do after sitting in one place for several days.  While doing laundry I added ratchet tie-downs as another way to keep the camper from sliding backwards.  I had to watch a YouTube video to learn how to thread the darn things.  Lots of strap left over so I knotted it on instead of cutting it off and thankfully, without planning, used a series of sliding knots so I can easily move it for tightening the strap later.  I’m sure you’ll see the neon orange strapping in some camper photo along the way.  Only picked up a few groceries as the three store choices in Quartzsite have limited selections and are expensive.  Fueled the truck and one propane tank that only took 2.7 gallons, what a joke for a 5 gallon tank.  Stopped at some Tyson Wells vendors and bought a flag with a long pole I’ll have to figure out how to mount and pack.  Please, get me out of town before I spend any more money.

Mesquite tree desert dust sunset Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAh, finally, back on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) desert.

late light desert Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI drove that four miles of gravel super slow but it didn’t do anything good for the camper corner separations.  Still thinking about what to do.

desert sunset Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaOne thing to do, enjoy an unobstructed desert sunset.

Mesquite tree sunset Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen later turned on the laptop, plugged into the inverter, and ran a few hours from the solar charged battery.  Testing new solar after dark.

desert mountain sunrise Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI not only woke up in time for sunrise I went outside before coffee to take photos.

desert reverse sunset Kofa Mountains Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaIn fact I was up before the sun could charge the new solar panels.  That doesn’t really start happening until at least an hour or two later.  They lay flat on the roof as I’m no way crawling up there to adjust them daily.  But even with partial clouds the battery still fully charged and I used the laptop for several hours that evening.

desert mountains sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert mountains sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAs per most places of boondock, people are keeping their distance at way more than six feet thank goodness.  It’s more like 100s of feet.  But when the nearest RV in sight pulled out my first morning I smiled.

desert Chocolate Mountains sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSat outside in the afternoon reading in 63° hiding from a light northwest breeze.  It is often windy in the winter desert.

Saguaro desert first light Chocolate Mountains Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe next morning began nice and clear for charging with the new solar but most of the rest of the day was gray with heavy clouds.

desert mountain sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI love clouds for photography but wondered if my battery would still get charged.  It did, just more slowly.

desert sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAlso had to adjust the new flag pole because of wind banging the pole against the ladder. Noises like that drive me crazy.  I’ve wanted a flag for a while to easily read wind direction.  The pole is easily 8-10 feet long.  If I roll the flag around it and bungie it tight it’s the last thing to put into the camper and the first thing out.  I’m not usually into decorating either inside or out, best keeping things simple. And there was simply no color that night for sunset.

camper window sunrise reflection Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Kofa Mountains sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaHowever, the next morning sunrise put on quite a show.

Saguaro desert Kofa Mountains sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Saguaro desert Chocolate Mountains sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaIn every direction.

desert mountain clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSaguaro Palo Verde tree desert clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

And then the day put on a show of ever changing cloud shapes that beckoned my camera.  I get much of my exercise going in and out, up and down the camper step, to take photos as the clouds call my name.  Trust me, I do love Arizona blue skies, but they make for rather boring photos.

mountains sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe day’s excitement when the fridge started to act up by not staying lit.  Though the tank was low it still had propane, yet switching to the full tank did the trick and the fridge then lit and continued to operate.  Must be very sensitive to pressure as the stove still lit. These tanks are a true pain in the ass.  Even after replacing one that was obviously wrong from the manufacturer this new “legal” design doesn’t work well.  I should write to Manchester with a complaint. For whatever good it would do me.

desert mountains sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaDay three with clouds right on through sunset still charged the battery with the help of the new solar.  I took way too many photos with all those lovely clouds.

desert mountains clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaClear sky at sunrise offered an early start to charging for the new solar.  The day was filled with an interesting variety of clouds.  I sat outside for a little while reading in the sunshine.  If I don’t have anything to do, I don’t do anything.

desert mountains clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut as the clouds thickened I went back inside.  Had plenty of power to work on processing photos and writing posts, thinking it’s a good thing I’m usually 1-2 weeks behind on this story.  Otherwise all you’d get was photos of sunrise and sunset in the desert.  Oh, wait a minute.  That’s about all you get anyway.

desert mountains sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThat night was predicted a 30% chance of rain and even with all the marvelous clouds, I just didn’t hold my breath.  I’d have to look up how many months it had been since rain in this area.  Yet before I went to bed I heard the almost unfamiliar tapping of soft rain on the camper roof.

Kofa Mountains sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Road Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaIn the morning, clouds hung low over the Kofa Mountains and sunrise put on a show.  I stepped outside to the outstanding aroma of petrichor, and creosote.  The air felt rich, igniting all my senses.  And though the ground was dry I swear the Saguaros stood a little taller and the bushes sparkled.  Deep breath.

desert mountains rainbow clouds Palm Canyon Road Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe wind blew enough to make it unpleasant to just sit outside.  So another inside day for me enjoying my desert yard view.  Like deja vu, I sat labeling photos from my January visit to Kofa.

desert mountains sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Road Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBy day six testing new solar a pattern emerged.  Turning the phone off overnight with around 50% battery means I can use it in the morning to check stuff online, email, facebook, whatever.  After an hour or so I turn on the laptop to run on its own battery if lucky another hour.  Then I run the truck about 25 minutes, plugged in to those batteries via an inverter to the camper gives me almost 4 1/2 hours of power, plus another hour on the laptop battery depending on what I’m doing.  And by then solar has the house battery up to snuff so I can plug into it by inverter for 5-7 hours.  Adding another solar panel so I’m up to 290 watts on the roof passes my test.

Mesquite decorated Christmas tree Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite ArizonaDecorated desert Christmas tree

Almost a week out and by Friday decided to go shopping in Blythe, if they’d let me cross the border.  Surprisingly I couldn’t find any specific information about crossing into the locked down state of California.  Didn’t find anything specific about going to Mexico either as I considered Algodones for eye exam and new glasses.  But the agricultural border crossing was no different than has been for years, waving most people through.  After shopping at a good-sized chain store I felt stocked up again for a little while.

camper desert last light Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite ArizonaI returned to Arizona and drove only about four miles south of Quartzsite to the BLM short-term Roadrunner/La Paz area to camp.  Certainly a place I’ve been before but barely recognized with so few RVers.  Surely this is partly because of no Canadian, or international, visitors, and others just staying home, which is nice if they have a home to stay at.

Dome Rock Mountains sunset clouds Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite ArizonaI stayed for three days, fully charged and a good signal, a happy camper.  The wind blew and I didn’t go out much.  Did empty one propane tank.  I am perfectly content with my basic needs met.  I spend loads of time online.

peace flag desert mountains sunset clouds Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite ArizonaI spent time thinking of where to camp for Solstice, Christmas, and the next full moon.  Researched Castle Dome on the southwestern Kofa but that seems to require more rough miles than I want to drive right now.  To be honest I feel a little guilty about traveling at all.

trees mountain sunrise clouds Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite ArizonaI could hunker in around Quartzsite through the rest of the month.  If I hang here much longer I may start to call Quartzsite home.  Sadly, all of this doesn’t fix the camper coming apart at the front corners.  So, it’s back to town again.

Sierra cat Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaLazy days

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Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

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The gypsy life spring-summer 1998 - "You were a real pioneer. RV'ing before it was cool." ...Yogi

How do you process photos? - “Your photographs create an Emotional feeling in the viewer...that they become One with You.” …Cindy

Life’s transitions between travel and work play - "I know you love your job as much as you love travel -- it shines through all your posts." ...Sallie

Lions at Kruger National Park - “Wonderful post, thank you. I was hooked start to finish!” … Peter B

11 lessons looking back 2013 - “A great post -- made me think, made me smile, made me want to cry." ...Sallie

Wildlife video Kruger National Park - “Gorgeous, this makes me want to go straight to South Africa now.” … Ayngelina

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary - “What an experience you had and gave to the "crew." Sometimes I think you don't realize how unique and inspiring you are.” …Alan

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1. Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography. 2. Educate yourself about the places you photograph. 3. Reflect on the possible impact of your actions. 4. Use discretion if sharing locations. 5. Know and follow rules and regulations. 6. Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them. 7. Actively promote and educate others about these principles

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Sites I follow, read & recommend

  • A Full-time Life
  • A Yankee in Belgrade
  • Bob's Eyes
  • Box Canyon Blog
  • Camels and Chocolate
  • Dawns bloggy blog
  • In the Direction of Our Dreams
  • Jane in her infinite wisdom
  • Janie and Steve, Utah Trails
  • Kathie's Birds
  • Las Adventuras
  • Memorable Meanders
  • Oh, The Places They Go
  • On the Road Abode
  • Port Elizabeth Daily Photo
  • Stillhowlyntravels
  • Take to the Highway
  • Technomadia
  • the good luck Duck
  • Travel with the Bayfield Bunch
  • Wandering Earl
  • Wheeling It
  • Yogi's Den

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