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Foto Friday Fun 451: every picture tells a story

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by 12 readers including Grand Canyon and other red rock, elephants, scat, and a whole lot of snow.

condor 30 & 01 on rocks by Navajo bridge Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Marble Canyon ArizonaJennifer chose #7723.  I always stop at Navajo Bridge along SR89A in Marble Canyon, Arizona in the hopes of seeing Condors.  On this day in May, 2017 I saw several including #30 and #01.

Clouds over canyon North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaRita chose #7721.  Pre-sunset on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is a time of long shadows, bonus if there’s clouds.

Elephants Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South AfricaDiane and Nigel chose #1401.  I saw a lot of wildlife during my first visit to Kruger National Park in South Africa, including the Big Five on the first day.  However, elephants will always be my favorite animal to observe.

Sunset Grand Lodge Star Party North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaCathy chose #2581.  It’s likely she was there, and maybe even in this photo, for the week long Star Party held on the North Rim Grand Canyon for a week in June 2014.

Sunset Yarnell ArizonaJo chose #1201, her youngest grandchild’s seventh birthday.  Colorful sunsets make a nice gift.  This one from my front yard when living in Yarnell, Arizona 4-24-09.

Supermoon rise over Walhalla Plateau North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSue chose #9898, imagining a world 7,876 years from now.  I suspect the Grand Canyon will still be around then and maybe even watching the rise of a full moon through clouds.

Coyote scat Kanab Creek Wilderness Snake Gulch trail Kaibab National Forest ArizonaJodee and Bill chose #2345.  This might be appropriate after all the shit they’ve been through remodeling because a car drove into their house.  It’s coyote scat, seen along the Snake Gulch trail in Kanab Creek Wilderness on the Kaibab National Forest, Arizona.

Tailless Elephant dust bathing Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South AfricaTreDeuce chose #1361.  Last week with #1359 he also got a shot of the tailless young elephant taking a dust bath in Kruger National Park, South Africa (same 2010 visit as above, different day).

Coyote Buttes North Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness ArizonaDoris chose #9000.  Sand dunes turned to rock and later carved by wind and water into other worldly shapes are seen in Coyote Buttes along the trail to the Wave.

sandstone cliffs Upper Buckskin Trail Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument UtahAlan and random dot org chose #5231.  More sandstone, similar area a above, along the Upper Buckskin trail.

Ramson Lomatewama glass blowing Heritage Days North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Birth sunrise corn maiden by Hopi Ramson Lomatewama Heritage Days North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaGypsy chose #4769.  I learned to blow glass in the late 1980s so was doubly impressed by this mobile studio.  Hopi artist, Ramson Lomatewama, creates amazing glass pieces and was set up at the 2014 Heritage Days on the North Rim Grand Canyon National Park.  The second shot, a piece I bought a few years later of the sunrise corn maiden.

birthday Daffodils in RV Yarnell ArizonaSallie and Bill chose #352.  A birthday bouquet from Berta brightened my 5th-wheel as much as sunshine in 2009 living in Yarnell, Arizona.

Lately, I’ve seen many photos of snow posted by friends on FB so thought this series taken over a couple days the end of January, 1996 was appropriate.  Most of you know I don’t like snow.  I grew up with snow in northern Illinois.

28 inches Of Snow Pine Creek Work Station Gifford Pinchot National Forest Washington 1-28-96I was a winter volunteer in the maintenance division at Mt St Helens’ remote Pine Creek Work Station living in government housing.

22 inches Of Snow Pine Creek Work Station Gifford Pinchot National Forest Washington 1-26-96This was my window view at 22 inches of snow and before the next six inches fell.

8-mile Falls FS90 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Washington Jan 1996After four days snowed-in, a monster truck snow-blower arrived to clear trail.  First thing another volunteer and I did was drive her VW bug, past 8-mile Falls, to the town of Cougar, about 20 miles away, to eat.  Pie first because we could.

Mt St Helens southside Gifford Pinchot National Forest Washington Jan 1996Southeast side of Mt St Helens.  Wasn’t many days later as it all melted and washed out roads that we were evacuated by helicopter.

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 29 Comments

Walk, talk, read, and write while camping near Kofa

desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe temperatures and clouds have been ideal for camping near Kofa.  I walk, read, and write under the most beautiful of light.  Of course, I’m taking photos.  Plus I’ve been fortunate enough to engage in several conversations, talk and type.

I am not more than 100 feet from the Palm Canyon Road and camping near Kofa National Wildlife Refuge on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) public lands.  Yes, there’s some traffic but it’s not rush hour.  It’s lovely and would only be better if I could have Shared the Kofa Light with others on my first scheduled Geogypsy Journey.  Maybe next month.

bus conversion BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAfter the van/bus/RV gathering began to break up, the desert went back to its quiet nature.  The bandwidth also increased but I never expect that to last.  Every day more folks pulled out, some returned, a few buses stayed.  Thought this one was rather unique.  I even had a van neighbor within sight on my “road” for a couple days.

Saguaro cactus desert Kofa Mts clouds last light BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaYet none of that really changes my daily routine while camping near Kofa.  If the wind hasn’t made it too chilly I try to get out for at least a short walk.  You know I’m not working on miles or steps at my sauntering pace.  Instead I meander between the vegetation avoiding the prickliest taking photos of the landscape.  The land is braided with small washes to cross (and look for pretty rocks), dry now but there’s plenty of evidence that water sometimes flows.  Debris caught against bushes and larger rock versus small pebbles tells that story.  Happens when I’m not here.

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

Saguaro sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI often walk in the late afternoon anticipating the golden hour light and sunset.

Jackrabbit Cholla Saguaro cactus Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaStartled a Jackrabbit on the way back to camp.  They run and freeze, blending into the dusky landscape.

Sierra cat gives me the tap BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI also try to spend time every day writing, with help from my assistant.  I’m working on 1000 words a day.  Always journaling (200-400 words/day), often blog post writing (500-1200 finished post), and remember I’m working on a book, sometimes.  Though I will admit the last doesn’t happen daily but in spurts.  I am easily distracted when camping near Kofa.

Kofa Mts sunrise clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaEspecially when there’s colorful sunrises unique to every day.  I am glad first light respects a decent hour during the winter while camping near Kofa.  Although there’s still a chill in the air it’s worth adding another layer and making coffee wait just a little longer.  It’s rather sad that I’m in such a beautiful place and I don’t go anywhere else but instead sit day after day at the same place.  I am happy not to have to move for two weeks. And that’s not really very long in the whole scheme of life.  Yet it’s one of the reasons I miss Joann as a neighbor as she gets me out and is willing to drive as well. Not to mention some very interesting conversation.  So I am glad there’s enough signal for us to chat online, each from our remote desert locations.  Enjoyed an extended phone call from a California cousin.  Even a windy day that pretty much keeps me inside turns out good.

desert sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnd the sunsets caused me to at least get in and out the door, carefully down and up the step, several times.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnother nice sunrise.

desert rd mt clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen later with no wind I walked under cloudy skies but the light was dull so I focused more on close things.

cactus desert clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe Saguaro cactus is a known icon of the Sonoran Desert along with numerous kinds of Cholla cactus with spines that seem to glow under almost any light.

barrel cactus BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut also give wide birth to the red and yellow spines of the Barrel cactus providing an occasional break in color from the olive-green creosote that is everywhere.

Palo Verde bark BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Palo Verde bark BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI am always drawn to the shape and color of Palo Verde trees.  Their unusual green trunk and branches with scaly bark perform photosynthesis.  I find all this and more camping near Kofa.

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

campfire BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAs the wind stayed down I watched sunset over a small campfire.  Then the temperature dropped and it was back inside for the night.

desert Kofa Mts clouds sundog BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAlthough I didn’t get up for all the pretty sunrises hardly a day goes by when I don’t take a photo of something, usually with the big camera but the phone will do in a pinch.  And even though warm enough for the door open by 11am, I saw a tiny sundog which says the upper atmosphere holds ice.

flag desert Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe calm 70° day was simply made for sitting outside reading in the desert apricity.

desert Kofa Mts reverse sunset clouds moon BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI would have been very busy had anybody signed up for my first Geogypsy Journey: Sharing the Kofa Light.  Lesson learned, don’t compete with anything January in Quartzsite and advertise further ahead.  An amazingly beautiful day would have welcomed anybody camping near Kofa, clouds put on a show for days, and the moon…  I did my usual, enjoy the view and spend some time outside photographing and reading.

possible Badger through screen window BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAt one point motion caught my eye and I saw an animal about the size of an over large ciabatta loaf hustling along.  The one photo I took was through a window screen and then it was gone.  I wracked my brain for a bit thinking, it had to be a badger.  Only the second time I’ve seen one in the wild—first at Bryce Canyon—and never in the desert.  Many desert mammals lean toward nocturnal lives to avoid daytime heat.

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

desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnd of course more sunset.

red Ocotillo flower BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI do see birds when camping at Kofa, yet not plentiful, and way too fast for my camera.  I hear Ravens and Phainopeplas.  A hummingbird approached a red light cover above the door on the camper before flying off to the one surviving cluster of Ocotillo flowers they prefer.  Guess I could put up my window feeder for hummingbirds.  Gypsy brought a high school friend to visit, along with zucchini bread, and of course I took no photos.  I am terrible about people pictures.

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts last light clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAs I worked on this post over the weekend, I got carried away with a ramble about conversations, real time, online, and anytime.  So I posted it separately from here.  BTW, thanks for all the comments.  As Jodee said, I hit a nerve.  No surprise that many of you of similar age identified with my jaunt down memory lane.  And although some would also like more comments on their blog posts, many of you made a good point about too many comments, especially as I answer them all, working on the conversation.  If everybody that read a post, commented on the post, I’d spend all my time responding to comments instead of walking, talking, writing, and reading while camping near Kofa.

Arizona, Geogypsy Journey, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, RV life, United States , , , , 15 Comments

Become part of the conversation

desert Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaKofa Mts, AZ 1-28-21

As I sit out here in the all alone desert watching my daily world much like above, spinning stories, taking photos, and generally letting time slip away, I sometimes long for conversation.  Not necessarily long periods of time or in need of a full-time person(s) around.  However, I do talk to myself quite a bit, oh and Sierra also who is a lacking conversationalist unlike other cats I’ve known.  I do realize conversation requires at least two, but in today’s world not always face-to-face.  The internet has made it possible for us to communicate with people all over the world, quickly depending on your signal.  I LOVE that!  I do however, also like real time, maybe still at six feet apart these days.  Is anybody else hurtin’ for hugs?  Either way, or all the ways, conversation requires a back and forth of words, one talks while other(s) listen, then respond.  It’s an exchange, give and take, a movement of energy back and forth.  Otherwise, I don’t see a conversation.

When I put out a rambling blog post about my previous week’s activities and mind-drifting I am shocked that hundreds of people at least view the post, and hopefully read.  Thank you.  I wish you’d leave a comment so I’d know who you are and I can respond, creating a conversation.  All you lovely lurkers have me at a disadvantage with knowing so much about me.

White Pocket Vermilion Cliffs National Monument ArizonaSandstone layers at White Pocket, AZ 5-28-15

Since blogging, my life is pretty much an open book.  (And speaking of books, I am scheduling time almost daily to work on that.)  A really big thanks goes out to all those people I’ve met online (and frequently in real time too) and gotten to know through conversation over the many years.  Your blog post comments feed my ego, thank you.

red Cholla cactus flower Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaA prickly situation, Cholla & Saguaro, Organ Pipe National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Never met a stranger

Since childhood I’ve been a talker, stranger or not.  Never would have gotten by with that in today’s world.  I got in trouble for talking in class when I was suppose to be doing something else, like reading, studying, or paying attention.  However, I was a good student.  And over and above all the art classes I could take, my favorite class was Improv, a drama class.  Sorry, I got ahead of myself here.  Talking and conversation are two different things.  I’m still working on that.

desert cactus mts clouds Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaDotted with color, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Telephone to dial-up

Does anybody else remember the first phone in your house?  A large black plastic box on the wall or desk with a handset for speaking and listening.  (I’m not old enough for the cranking wood box version or switchboard operators.)  Not that I was allowed, or old enough, to use the phone, but I remember is was a “party-line” shared with a neighbor and each of us had a different ring combination.  You could listen in on their conversation, but don’t get caught.  It was considered a privilege to own a telephone.

Delicate Arch Arches National Park UtahPeople and rock, Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, UT 9-30-15

As a teenager, I begged for a pastel colored princess phone in my bedroom but was told no as I already tied up the line for way too much time with useless conversation.  I did eventually pay to have a separate line put into my bedroom.  Had it done while my parents were on vacation.  Upon their return, we had quite a conversation.  I don’t remember that being good, but I did have my own phone and local calls were free.  Long distance on the other hand was costly.  Good thing I didn’t have friends far away like I do now.

desert sunburst BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaGoodnight desert, Ghost Town Road, Congress, AZ 4-1-20

Those first main-frame computer rooms were the size of a large walk-in closet and kept almost as cold as a freezer.  The first cell phone I saw in the 1990s was the size of a lunchbox and didn’t work very well.  That was about the same time I was introduced to the internet where I thought all the information in the world would be at my fingertips.  Not so as I quickly discovered most of the “information” was one person’s opinion.  Not like a book reviewed by peers and editor.

trees sunset clouds crepuscular rays Walnut Grove ArizonaView from a friend’s, Walnut Grove, AZ 4-30-20

Then there was email, and how cool was that.  Sending a message, short or long, around the world without licking a postage stamp.  Of course, answer time varied depending on the recipient of said email.  Responses could vary from minutes to never.  There was the possibility your email went into SPAM and never seen by the recipient.  Sure took me a long time before looking in that overflowing folder where I’d always find a long-lost “real” message.  That algorithm has greatly improved over time and I check more frequently looking for those occasional keepers.  A great way to have a conversation.

Stormy sky last light Wotans Throne Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLast light, Wotans Throne, Cape Royal, North Rim Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 8-24-16

For me, blogging was next when back in the fall of 2008 a friend on the North Rim encouraged me to blog, and first I had to figure out what that meant.  The name comes from the idea of keeping a journal, or a web log.  Heck I’ve been a journal writer almost all my life.  After first discovering the internet I worked hard for years not to leave any footprint.  And now, 13 years later, I’m all over the web.  I love having a conversation with people from all over the world.

I began blogging on dial-up and posted everyday.  I can’t imagine doing that today.  Did I have more patience and time?  I linked to memes and got into conversation with other bloggers.  It’s a time consuming process to write and read, but I love it.  Many folks have stopped blogging, and a few have passed away.

desert mts dark sunset clouds crepuscuar rays BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaShine the light, Ghost Town Rd, Congress AZ 4-12-20

Social media time suck

About a year after starting the blog, I joined FB and was hooked.  How fun to see what my growing number of friends were up to.  I love to chat, such a nice conversation with real pauses.  My preference is to use the laptop where it’s easier to type than the phone.  Even easier now with voice messages.  Make it short and sweet please, otherwise call me.

I tried other social media.  Twitter is just too fast for me.  Pintrest was too much work to keep up with.  Same true with Instagram.  I already spend way too much time online and don’t want it to BE my life.  MyTwitFace is too much conversation, thank you.

flowers cactus mts Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaFlowering desert, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Over and above the blog, I have a photography website that costs me $30/year and I never make enough selling anything to pay for it. (Link on sidebar.)  Good thing it’s cheap.  If something does sell I don’t even know who bought it, there’s no option for conversation there unless they make a comment.  Or, it’s one of you folks making the purchase and let me know.  Thank you.  I haven’t added any new photos to the site in years.  Takes lots of time and bandwidth that I don’t often have.  Besides, I gave up thinking I’d become a famous photographer and get rich.  LOL!  More fun to keep that a hobby and continue to challenge myself to learn.

fall trees reflection Mirror Aspen Lake Dixie National Forest Duck Crk UtahFall reflections, Aspen Mirror Lake, Dixie National Forest, UT 10-2-20

Conversation

With all the choices for conversation, does anybody talk on the phone any more?  I so rarely get or make phone calls.  Oh, other than “the warranty on your vehicle…”  And now days, everybody has a telephone, even kids.  I haven’t bought into this yet, but think of the convenience of walking and talking on the phone.  However if I’m multi-tasking, I’m not really part of the conversation.

light & shadow desert mts storm clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaLight and shadow, Ghost Town Rd, Congress, AZ 4-18-20

I was late in the game to texting and now I’m hooked.  Especially with voice messages because that QWERTY board is a pain.  Once again, make it quick please.

flowers desert cactus mts clouds Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaSoldiers at attention, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Yet I always come back to blogging, sharing stories and photos.  Yea, it’s me talking, you reading, and hopefully making a comment that I will reply to and then there’s conversation.

light & shadows hoodoo window tree Bryce Canyon National Park UtahShadow play, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 10-20-20

Any of this ring a bell?  I’m trying to provoke you.  What is your favorite form of conversation?

view N across Grand Staircase from LeFevre overlook SR89A ArizonaThe Grand Staircase from LeFevre overlook, AZ 4-28-21

I may have gotten carried away here.  When my mind gets on a roll, I can’t easily stop it.  Hope I didn’t offend, or bore, anyone and you’ll keep reading whether you comment or not.  But if you’re so inclined please leave a comment and become part of the conversation.

BTW, photos are from 2021 “because” file (even though some of them are older), and hopefully haven’t been shared before.

life, Ramble , 38 Comments

Lijit

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