Menu

Foto Friday Fun 402: every picture tells a story

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by 11 readers including Southwestern red rock, structures from different times, South Africa, dancing, and comments are once again visual.

Wupatki Pueblo Wupatki National Monument ArizonaYogi chose #515, a panorama of the Wupatki Pueblo ruin at Wupatki National Monument, Arizona taken 4-16-09.

Fall aspen & split rail fence East Rim trail Kaibab National Forest ArizonaDoris chose #7842.  The 1/4 mile East Rim trail is paved and accessible to a, you guessed it, view east from the edge of the Kaibab Plateau on the Kaibab National Forest and always pretty in Autumn when the Aspen put on a show.

Zebras at salt lick Pilanesberg Game Reserve South AfricaRita chose #0394.  Zebras can be very social and sometimes it’s hard to make one from another.  Good thing each zebra has a unique pattern.  This shot taken at Pilanesberg Game Reserve 4-4-14.

Wukoki Pueblo Wupatki National Monument ArizonaDiane and Nigel chose #502.  Taken the same day as above at Wupatki National Monument, this is Wukoki Pueblo ruin.

Storm over canyon & temples from Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaCathy chose #3691.  An iconic view across Grand Canyon from the North Rim’s Lodge verandah.

Derek hoop dancing Heritage Days North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJennifer chose #5621.  Hopi hoop dancer at Heritage days on the North Rim’s Lodge verandah.

Morning light below camp Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South AfricaJulie and Dean chose #1965.  Morning view from camp in the Drakensburg mountains, South Africa.

hoodoos Red Canyon SR12 UtahSue chose #1978.  A drive-by shot of hoodoos in Red Canyon, a National Forest facility along SR12 and adjacent to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Sunset over Laughlin NevadaJodee and Bill chose #544.  Berta and I used to go to Laughlin, Nevada once or twice each winter.  We’d stay at the Colorado Bell for cheap mid-week rates and go mostly to soak in their hot tub and eat because neither of us gamble more than $20.  This sunset is from our room 11-4-09.

Water pool below The Wave Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness ArizonaSherry chose #9135.  Ancient sand dunes turned to stone, this pool is just below the iconic Wave in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.  Takes a permit and I believe BLM just increased the numbers being issued.  I hate to see that happen.

Creosote bush, tumble weed & mts from camp Anza-Borrego Desert State Park CaliforniaJeff chose #1960, “the year the rock pile at the Peg Leg Smith campsite became a California Historical Landmark.”  This shot of a yellow flowering creosote bush was taken not far from that in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

desert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWednesday’s morning view slowed me down a bit to leave my Kofa camp.

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?

Foto Friday Fun 28 Comments

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.

Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, Quartzsite, United States , , , , 30 Comments

Foto Friday Fun 401:every picture tells a story

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by nine readers including South Africa, the Southwest, and and oldie from the Northwest too.

purple Phacelia flowers Borrego Palm Canyon campground Anza Borrego Desert State Park CaliforniaYogi chose #4989.  Phacelia is seen blooming all over the Southwest during spring.  These flowers were shot along the Palm Canyon trail in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California 2-17-15.

Skull rock Joshua Tree National Park CaliforniaRita chose #7211.  Named Skull rock for obvious reasons, this feature is seen near Jumbo Rocks campground in Joshua Tree National Park California.

Bill in truck on winch line ATV road to Peekaboo Canyon UtahDiane and Nigel chose #2901.  They met Bill during their visit and would probably agree about his calm nature.  Even when the clutch went out on his truck in the sand dunes and had to be towed out he totally kept his cool.

Giraffe Kruger National Park South AfricaSherry chose #4642.  With both of us struggling over RV repairs and trying to stay warm over the winter I think next year we should go to South Africa during their summer/our winter, rent a RV, and go play.  We’d get to see sights like this giraffe in Kruger National Park.

Misty morning & hot air balloon Pilanesberg Game Reserve South AfricaCathy chose #0415.  Seems like a sign reinforcing the previous photo.  This time at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve not far from Johannesburg, South Africa.  Diane will even vouch for this place.  Who else wants to go and look at wildlife from up in the air?

Stronghold House Hovenweep National Monument UtahDoris chose #2255.  Hovenweep is not a large national monument but is significant as an example of past Native American communities in the Southwest.

Groot Swartberg N12 South to Oudtshoorn South AfricaSallie and Bill chose #7260.  The Groot Swartberg was just one of many famous mountain passes I drove in South Africa where clouds flowing over like this are called “Table cloth clouds”.

Mt St Helens Climb Lewis River Valley & Swift Resv MSHNVM GPNF WA summer 1992Jeff chose #129 for the day it finally rained.  Because of rain, this was the third attempt at climbing Mt St Helens back during the summer of 1992 when I worked at the volcanic monument.  This view from the top of the Lewis River Valley and Swift Reservoir.

Sasha White Pocket Vermilion Cliffs National Monument ArizonaSue chose #1977, the summer she spent in Northern Idaho.  I have 0 photos from that year, so instead she gets the Sasha (Bill’s dog) view at the iconic White Pocket in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument from my first visit 5-28-15.

desert mountains clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa NWR ArizonaMy current view (an eight-shot panorama) at the Kofa NWR where the next post will come from with some more interesting clouds.

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?

Yet another glitch occurred on the blog prompting me to try for another fix.  And I think it worked.  At least from my end.  So please let me know.  Thanks for your forever patience from this serious procrastinator.

Foto Friday Fun 26 Comments

Lijit

© Copyright 2008-2024. Geogypsytraveler.com