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Try to catch the moon and lunar eclipse

rocky outcrop Bradshaw Mts Skull Valley AZI watched the moon rise near home for almost a week before May’s full moon and lunar eclipse to get an idea where it would crest on the horizon.  Looked good for a rocky outcrop of the Bradshaw Mountains in the middle ground.  And then there were clouds.

waxing moon in clouds Skull Valley AZ

waxing moon in clouds Skull Valley AZFive nights before the full Flower moon and lunar eclipse, I sat outside before sunset, 70° with clouds floating overhead and the waxing moon peeking through.

Cottontail rabbit Skull Valley AZA cottontail watched me from nearby.

grass trees Brush Mt sunset clouds Skull Valley AZ

grass trees Brush Mt sunset clouds Skull Valley AZ

hillside sunset clouds Skull Valley AZ

The sky turned from gray to gold before a glorious goodnight.

The next day, heavy wind kept me inside working at the computer all day.  It felt cool and the nights low dropped below 40°.  No, it didn’t snow.  But the electricity went out for several hours and I didn’t even notice until opening the electric fridge for lunch.  Everything else in my RV home works fine with propane and batteries.  Thankfully power was restored before going to bed and I even ran a little heat.

I wanted to get an early start in the morning for chores starting with the dump then Prescott for shopping and maybe laundry.  The later didn’t happen as the tiny parking lot was too full to accommodate my big rig.  Not my favorite chore anyway and I still have clean clothes.  Have you ever discovered a new to you place that’s been there forever in an area you shop regularly?  When I go to Prescott I usually stay on the west side of town, it’s a huge town of 45 square miles with a population of 43,460 as of 2020.  And it continues to grow in all directions.  In fact, I think the sleepy ranch community of Skull Valley has become a bedroom community of Prescott.  Anyway, when I got to town hungry for breakfast I discovered a Dennys in the same parking lot as the Wallys I’ve shopped at for at least 15 years.  And guess what, it’s been there at least that long.  I don’t eat out often, or at this restaurant frequently, but I do like their breakfast.


new vacuum

Exchanged a mini-shop vac for a Dirt Devil upright that’s suppose to pick up pet hair.  Ha, ha.  No vacuum with a revolving brush isn’t going to become immoveable once wrapped with my hair and long cat fur.  I should know better.  Otherwise, it works well.


tie dye chair

 

 

 

Best buy of the day, a tie-dye looking camp chair.  A friend says they won’t be able to find me sitting in it because this ole hippie likes tie-dye clothing.  Ran into a Yarnell friend and we chatted in the aisle for almost an hour.  Maybe I should get out more.

 

Western Tanager bird Skull Valley AZ

Western Tanager probably migrating through

Naw, I’d rather stay home and watch the outdoor world.

Side-blotched lizard on matate Skull Valley AZAfter a day of shopping I stayed home.  Yet there’s plenty of activity as the daytime temperatures rise into the high 80s and the various lizards provide entertainment scurrying about.  I’m getting to know them by name, Fred, Ann, Wendy…  The side-blotched lizards put on the most colorful show in a rainbow of colors.  This shot is highly cropped and taken through a window.  It’s a regular hanging out on the metate decorating my yard.  Good thing I can be so easily amused at home because with the rising cost of fuel, especially the diesel I need, I won’t be going very far anytime soon.

almost full moon Skull Valley AZThe ranch even provides open and dark sky views to watch the moon and lunar eclipse, if there are no clouds.


Raven in tree top Skull Valley AZ

With the next day’s high pushing 90° outside, which means almost 100° in the RV, I took advantage of the cool morning to work inside on the computer.  I find myself spending way more time with editing video thrown into the mix of processing still photos and writing blog posts.  I enjoy it.  I’m trying not to run the noisy and expensive AC but have fans moving the air around.  I just don’t like AC but if I’m here for the summer will have to get used to it.  I’ve been trying to change my sleeping pattern by going to bed an hour earlier and gain the chill time in the morning.  Fortunately, with a late afternoon breeze and shade I can sit outside in my new chair reading and once again watching the world.  I learned that from Raven.

bushes tree moon rise Skull Valley AZ

bushes tree moon Skull Valley AZ

tree moon Skull Valley AZLater, I moved around just a bit playing with the moon, knowing there would still be plenty of light for hand-held shooting with an iconic clear blue Arizona sky.

The next morning started off cool inside but warmed quickly and by 8:30 all windows and the door were open.  Then closed again just before noon when I turned on the AC and continued to work on the video 5th-wheel tour.


curled grass Skull Valley AZ

May 15th, opening day for the North Rim Grand Canyon I felt a little homesick.  Sure hope I can make it up there at some point this summer.  Heck, if the temperatures here climb over 100° I may move in the truckcamper to the 8000’ Kaibab National Forest and become a hermit there.  I can move every 14 days with amazing views along the rim.

trees clouds Skull Valley AZ

grass brush clouds Skull Valley AZI did manage to get outside in the afternoon and watched the clouds dance and flow.  Something I love, but not on the evening of a full moon and lunar eclipse.

sunset clouds Skull Valley AZ

17b DSL_1749leccwfbr Coyote Skull Valley AZ g-5A little privacy please

Jackrabbit Skull Valley AZ

What’s up doc?

As I stood on the berm in my yard watching the sunset I saw a coyote and jackrabbit giving me the eye.

Bradshaw Mts full moon rise Skull Valley AZ

cloudy penumbral lunar eclipse Skull Valley AZSadly, low clouds on the horizon blocked the first rise as the moon entered the Earth’s shadow.

moon & lunar eclipseThen it rose above the clouds close to totality giving a glimpse of the dim red known as a Blood moon and lunar eclipse.  So fortunate to see this much before clouds covered the whole show.  That’s as far as I saw until a late-night glow filled the 5th-wheel as I went to bed.

Sierra on arm desk Skull Valley AZOf course the next day I had lots of photos to process with the help of my assistant.  So I once again stayed inside and turned on the AC in the afternoon.  I’m not getting outside to walk enough.  A dear friend suggested I change my morning pattern more than just up an hour earlier.

fence line Skull Valley AZSo the next day I set the alarm for 6:30am, dressed, grabbed the camera and a bottle of water, and out the door I went for a walk on the ranch.  Walked the eastern fence line, made a left and started to climb a hill along the northern fence but too much brush, so turned around.  I walked sauntered about 3/4 mile in an hour taking pictures along the way.

Jackrabbit Skull Valley AZ

cattle fence meadow Skull Valley AZStartled lots of bunnies, saw Blackie with another cow, and listened to the birds.

Not a lot of wildlife but did see a lot of track and scat.  Then back for coffee at about the time I’d normally wake up.  And I did it again the following day, taking and making a video.  Will I walk every morning like that?  Probably not.  I’m not that disciplined.  But with summer days getting warmer I will keep trying to get up earlier, and some mornings get out and walk.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Sometimes posting a week behind is confusing, writing in the past tense, double that with video which is more NOW.

I’m already tired of staying home and feeling itchy feet but high fuel prices is like having severe blisters so can’t go anywhere.  Heck I’d think about returning to work at high elevation, but I really don’t have time.  Besides it’s more fun to make a video exploring with a friend.

The next full moon and lunar eclipse visible in Arizona occurs November 8, 2022.  I’m thinking about a meetup in the desert.  How about you?

Arizona, eclipse, full moon, Places I've been, Skull Valley, United States , 26 Comments

Foto Friday Fun 468

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by 13 readers including North and South Grand Canyon, wildlife, and me.

old Chevy car historic Texaco Yarnell Car Show AZJo chose #9564.  Spring 2015 Yarnell held a Car Show.  Fitting their are classic gas stations in town.

Blue Grouse & warning sign Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAlan chose #7212.  He hikes frequently so I wonder if he ever came across a warning sign for an aggressive Blue Grouse on a trail.  This bird chase hikers on the Widforss Trail on the North Rim Grand Canyon during early June in 2016.

Snow around cabins & Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaGypsy chose #0910, “for meteor shower viewing near Mayer.”  The North Rim of Grand Canyon was a grand place to watch the night sky.  Visitors could stay in these cabins.  Though this four-shot panorama was taken about two weeks before the North Rim opened in 2014.  Yes, that’s snow.

Gaelyn's shadow Weaver Mts Yarnell AZDiane and Nigel chose #1305.  My shadow shot against a granite boulder while hiking in the Weaver Mountains in Yarnell, Arizona.

Gaelyn Summer 1971 LaCanada CASue chose #1971, “for the very first time I drove our 1960 beat up Ford Fairlane down Oak Creek Canyon and saw Sedona for the first time.”  In the summer of 1971 I flew in an airplane for the first time from Los Angeles to Sacrament and this is how I dressed.  At 16-years old I dressed to get served a cocktail on the plane.  Of course that didn’t happen.

Smokey Bear 4th of July parade North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaCathy chose #3022.  Smokey Bear rode in the 2014 4th of July water parade at the North Rim Grand Canyon National Park.

Elephants by waterhole Addo Elephant National Park South AfricaJodee and Bill chose #7727.  I could watch elephants all day and a waterhole is a great place for that.  Herd after herd take turns drinking and playing.  Seen at Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.

Horton's door gift Hanover Park IL 1981Rita gets #45 for the number of words in her last comment.  During the 1980s I practiced the craft of stained glass.  This piece was made for a friend’s front door who raised Angel fish in Illinois.

Fall aspen FR271 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaSherry chose #8379.  Fall aspen on the North Kaibab National Forest, Arizona.

Fall at Harvey Meadow North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJeff chose #517, when his wife left for Ohio.  More fall leaves, this time at the edges of Harvey Meadow on the North Rim Grand Canyon.

Vermilion Cliffs through 2006 Warm Fire SR67 S Kaibab National Forest ArizonaDoris chose #4186.  A regular stop along SR67 when driving between Jacob Lake and the North Rim.  A fire in 2006 opened the forest for this view of the Vermilion Cliffs, Marble Canyon, Echo Cliffs and Navajo Mountain on the horizon about 100 miles away.

Canyon view W & CO R from Moran Pt South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSallie and Bill chose #8500.  A South Rim view of Grand Canyon from Moran Point includes a piece of the Colorado River.  Took this shot on my birthday 2015.

Rain in the canyon from Point Imperial Walhalla Plateau North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Rain in the canyon from Point Imperial Walhalla Plateau North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizonaliberalwarrior chose #1357, one of two in a panorama.  From the North Rim’s Point Imperial overlook rain could be seen.

Mating Bald Eagle drawing by Gaelyn California Living Museum Bakersfield CA May 1989

Sierra Cougar California Living Museum Bakersfield CA

Gaelyn & Gracie Bobcat California Living Museum Bakersfield CA May 1989During May of 1989 I was an animal keeper at the California Living Museum, CALM, in Bakersfield, California.  I donated the drawing of Bald Eagles in mating flight to the newly built Raptor Round.  The cougar named Sierra was bigger than my kitty but just as friendly.  And so was the baby bobcat born at the facility.

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.

Do you have a favorite this week?

Thanks for the memories

Foto Friday Fun 21 Comments

Home and making a fix-it list

Emerson quoteMostly moved into the “Big House” 5th-wheel and settled into home while making a fix-it list.  I’m feeling a different routine, or maybe the lack of one.  Southern desert winter is over because it’s already hellishly hot.  Three thousand feet higher, the current high chaparral already feels like summer instead of spring.  Especially with the strong winds blowing from the southwest.

gravel rd brush Skull Valley AZJoann came by and we went for a ride on a couple side roads in my neighborhood.

That means gravel.  She really should have a jeep.

sign Over the Hill Rd Skull Valley AZ

horses Over the Hill Rd Skull Valley AZWho could resist this road?  They didn’t look that old.

orange Desert Mariposa Tulip flower & Prickly Pear Cactus Ferguson Valley AZ

yellow Desert Mariposa Tulip flowers Ferguson Valley AZorange Desert Mariposa Tulip flowers Ferguson Valley AZ

On State Trust Land we found Desert Mariposa Tulip flowers scattered around in various shades of yellow to orange.  At first I thought they were Poppies, but not quite right.

two Red-tailed Hawk birds Ferguson Valley AZAlso thrilling to watch the possible mating dance of two Red-tailed Hawks, dark and light phase.

RR underpass Van Dickson Rd Skull Valley AZ

RR underpass Swallow nests 1961 Van Dickson Rd Skull Valley AZAnother road took us to a ranch via a tiny RR underpass with swallow nests lining the top corners like city condos.

I love taking road trips, even close to home.  Next time I’ll buy the gas.

boulders Ferguson Valley AZSo many photos taken that the next day I stayed home and processed some of those.  Also wrote a blog post, finished labeling photos from 2020 (yes I was that far behind), and started thinking about and shooting the next video.

rabbit Skull Valley AZI’d be working away at the computer when motion caught my eye as some critter went by.  Not the first time I’ve seen Cottontails freezing in place almost long enough to get a photo through a window.

Ash-throated Flycatcher bird Skull Valley AZFrequently seeing the Ash-throated Flycatchers and hope they are doing their job at catching flies.

Gamble Quail bird Skull Valley AZ

Gamble Quail bird Skull Valley AZGamble Quail are also regular visitors with their lovely bobble bobbling.

large Squirrel Skull Valley AZ

large Squirrel Skull Valley AZAnd not only do I see the usual small antelope ground squirrels with stripes on their sides but we have the biggest, and fastest, squirrels around here that might be grey squirrels or Arizona fox squirrels that are twice as big and up to 30 inches long.  They are considered the largest tree squirrel native to North America.  I’ll be looking closer for a rust colored belly.

lit globeA blue bulb lights up my thrift store globe

Thursday has become shopping day as I can also stop at the open dump transfer station.  Seems one of the name brand “thrift” stores get a share of my dollars for a couple pillows and new throws for the couch and chairs, a metal hanging basket and plastic bowl liner to hang on a tree with water for the birds, and a pair of jeans.  I sure wish my pant size would quit fluctuating.  And I really need summer clothes as I haven’t needed more than uniforms for years.  Sigh.  After lunch and shopping including some parts for the fix-it list, I fueled up—almost had a heart attack—and returned home much poorer after a five-hour day.  Why does it take so long?

Raven bird on wire Skull Valley AZResident Raven

With temperatures’ rising into the 80s, summer is pushing spring out of the way.  That means finally getting some more windows open and these haven’t been used in a while.  Because I lived at the cool and comfortable 8000 feet in elevation for over ten summers, the windows were rarely opened.  Oh yea, and at Bryce I lived downwind of the horse corral so used the AC, which I don’t even like but is better than horse shit.  With the help of a dry lubricant spray I’m getting my weight-lifting exercise daily opening and closing windows.  One more thing off the fix-it list.

moon & stars Skull Valley AZThat evening I saw the waxing moon overhead which made me wonder where I should be for the upcoming full flower moon with eclipse.

Challenger by Keystone under clouds Skull Valley AZI enjoy the fresh air with windows and door open even though the primary summer wind comes from the southwest and there’s only one window on that side of the 5th-wheel.  Strong gusts blow the open and latched outside door shut with a slam that is sure to break something.  The existing holder needs to be replaced with a better/stronger part and there’s no existing place for a bungee cord.  It’s on the fix-it list.

hill sunset clouds Skull Valley AZWhen the afternoon sun allowed, I took more video for the future 5th-wheel tour.  Then I created a YouTube video about fire, being aware of what we can do to mitigate unintentional fires, and explained what the three stages of fire restrictions mean on public lands.  I’ve been talking about fire ecology for almost 30 years, naturally started wildfires.  But in Arizona 9 out of 10 fires are human caused.  There is no reason for that.  The piece is a little bit of a rant, but I just had to say it.  Thank you if you took the time to watch it.  As you know the whole taking, editing, and producing video for YouTube is rather new to me.  Also, I need a logo.  Any ideas or talented folks out there?  Can I add that to the fix-it list.

dead mouse Mother's Day Skull Valley AZHappy Mother’s Day, from Sierra first thing in the morning.  Sorry if you’re squeamish.  She was rather proud of herself, and I was too.  She’s never been much of a mouser.

greenhouse Skull Valley AZLater I walked up to the ranch’s greenhouse and left with some spinach, cilantro, cress, kale, and mint.  These winter crops will soon be tilled under to make way for summer planting.

Sierra cat on desk by hand Skull Valley AZSierra thinks I spend way too much time on the computer, and she might be right

After being home two weeks I already felt anxious to travel. Yet the price of fuel is killer so I can’t go too far. Plus I need to be around for repairs on the fix-it list for both RVs.

Arizona, Places I've been, RV life, Skull Valley, United States , , 20 Comments

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