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Tag: photography

21 March 2023

Chasing the moon Kofa to Owl Arizona

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts sunset moon King Rd BLM Kofa AZStayed at my Kofa camp and shot the pre-full moon for a few nights before clouds settled in.  Then left, chasing the moon first to cloudy Yuma followed by clear skies in *Owl, Arizona.

desert Kofa Mts moon King Rd BLM Kofa AZI spent four days chasing the moon before it was full, starting at my Kofa camp.

Saguaro moon King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

Saguaro moon King Rd BLM Kofa AZSadly, I wasn’t always paying enough attention to see it break over the horizon during a cloudless afternoon.  But I did have fun shooting the moon with the big Saguaro cactus next to my camp.

Northern Mockingbird in flight cactus King Rd BLM Kofa AZAnd I tried for birds.  They’re so fast, this Mockingbird didn’t pose for long.  Would have been really cool to catch a bird on the cactus with the moon nearby.  I’ll have to work on that.

mt bird moon rise King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

Saguaro desert mt moon rise King Rd BLM Kofa AZI was way more prepared the following day and under clear sky found myself chasing the moon up over the horizon of the rugged Kofa Mountains, not for the first time.

Saguaro mt moon King Rd BLM Kofa AZAnd still played with the cactus.

sunset clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZPlus enjoyed a lovely sunset.

Mockingbird Saguaro King Rd BLM Kofa AZThe next day’s clouds didn’t forebode well for chasing the moon.  Yet a bland gray sky makes a nice background for shooting birds.  And when I’m inside editing video, like this one about safe boondocking in bad desert weather, the camper acts like a bird-hide.

Mockingbird Saguaro King Rd BLM Kofa AZAnd if the windows are clean enough some shots come out pretty good among the scores of lousy ones.  Bonus is listening to the elaborate song of the Mockingbird, named for their ability to mimic everything from sirens to other bird species.  I don’t talk to them for fear of them sharing my secrets.

desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZBummer about clouds obscuring the moon however did bring on a delightful sunset.

Coyote

Sierra in bed King Rd BLM Kofa AZSierra when I tell her “We’re going to roll.”

In the morning I discovered the trail-cam caught a coyote after dark, and that the camper was out of propane.  The later meaning I have no choice but to move to a town for a refill.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

bumper rock collection King Rd BLM Kofa AZAnd being clouds were predicted through the day and into the night my decision sent me toddling south to Yuma.  So I said a sad goodbye to the Kofa Mountains and my lovely rock collection and hit the road.

RVs BLM-VFW Yuma AZAfter filling both propane tanks and getting a few groceries I ended up back at the BLM-VFW camp just north of town.  Thank goodness for just one night, with cloud cover there was no chasing the moon.

Sierra cat in bedI left that crazy camp by 9am, rather early for me, to visit Joann plus shower, laundry, fill water bottles, and she fed me.  We talked about improving ourselves, looking for the right words, and so far like “evolving” meaning change and growth.  I love our mind expanding conversations.  Left her place to dump tanks and drop off garbage bags for free at the Speedway.  Then hopped on Interstate 8 east to continue chasing the moon from my next camp.

desert Mohawk Mts Owl AZ

purple Phacalia flowers Mohawk Mts Owl AZred flowering Ocotillo Mohawk Mts Owl AZ

                                       Phacelia                                                                Ocotillo

Exit Mohawk Valley, where I didn’t actually go.  Years ago I tripped on a little piece of BLM land in the Mohawk Mountains with many small drainages that offered wildflowers at this time of year.  Sadly, not as many this year but still a pretty place.

camp view E Hist80 & I8 Mohawk Valley Owl AZAnd not a bad place to boondock considering how close to the Interstate and railroad.  You can see that camp in this video.

moon light behind Mohawk Mts Owl AZmoon light clouds behind Mohawk Mts Owl AZ

full moon rising clouds Mohawk Mts Owl AZfull moon rise Mohawk Mts Owl AZ

Even with some clouds I did watch the moon rise over the Mohawk Mountains well after dark but was too lazy to set up the tripod so handheld doesn’t come out very good.

desert full moon set Mohawk Mts BLM Owl AZ

full moon set bushes Mohawk Mts BLM Owl AZBut the following morning came out much better as the moon set and ended March’s time for chasing the moon.

Next stop Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and here’s the road trip to get there.

*Owl, Arizona was established as a water station at Mohawk Mountain pass in 1870.  Later a garage and dance hall was built and people came from 50 miles away to dance.  The town burned in the early 1960s and is now privately owned by J.L. Foraker.

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Arizona, full moon, Kofa NWR, photography, Places I've been, Sonoran desert, United States, Yuma boondocking, full moon, moon, photography, Sonoran Desert 13 Comments
12 March 2023

Wind and rain brought Spring in the Sonoran Desert

Saguaro desert clouds on Kofa Mts King Rd BLM Kofa AZSecond week boondocking near the Kofa Mountains brought Spring in the Sonoran Desert.

02a Birthday month

https://geogypsytraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/02b-VID_20230225_171537883-time-lapse-clouds-King-Rd-BLM-Kofa-AZ.mp4

February moved on and March blew in like a lioness—it’s my birthday month after all—so guess that means it will go out like a ewe lamb similar to last year.  Gifts of clouds, rain, puddles, and birds made for some exceptional photography.

Sierra grooming Gaelyn's eyebrowsBath day

On Caturday, February 25th, the first propane tank emptied after one week using a lot for heat.  We crossed fingers and paws the next tank would last a little longer so I could stay and shoot the moon.  It rained that night.

Loggerhead Shrike Ocotillo King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

Common Flicker bird Saguaro King Rd BLM Kofa AZThough I didn’t wake up to puddles or noticeably wet ground the bird song, and sightings, were a treat that felt like a sign of Spring in the Sonoran Desert.  The Loggerhead Shrike with black eye mask might be seen as mean because it impales caught lizards and rodents on the spikes of desert plants.  The Common Flicker often nests inside Saguaro cactus.

Cactus wren bird King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

Raven bird King Rd BLM Kofa AZCactus Wren’s are the most melodious, and Ravens the most commonly seen.

 

https://geogypsytraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/06-time-lapse-with-me-Sierra-knocked-down-Kofa-AZ-g.mp4

I set up a time-lapse in the window and then went for a little walk.  It seems somebody bumped the tripod.

unidentified bird Saguaro King Rd BLM Kofa AZThe next day I took another walk and spotted a bird still unidentified, so feel free to ID please.

yellow Bladderpod flowers King Rd BLM Kofa AZI took mostly video that day that I’ll put together eventually.  It’s not easy to take both stills with the big camera and video with the phone.  The prominent flowers and not in abundance were the yellow Bladderpod.

Saguaro desert shadows Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

Saguaro light Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZIncreasing wind blew February out of the way with amazing clouds leaving light and shadow on the land.

Saguaro desert light clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZThe house was rocking and a sometimes southern wind on the door kept me inside.  But that doesn’t stop me from taking photos through the windows.

Saguaro desert shadows Kofa Mts foggy King Rd BLM Kofa AZMarch blew in with increasing gusts and the rain began about 2pm remaining pretty steady throughout the afternoon.

puddle reflection Saguaro Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZWow, reflection!

A gentle rain that made some puddles, definitely a special gift of Spring in the Sonoran Desert.

Saguaro desert clouds on Kofa Mts King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

Saguaro desert clouds on Kofa Mts King Rd BLM Kofa AZ PanoInstead of a colorful sunset, clouds danced over the Kofa Mountains while rain fell below making for a happy desert.  I wondered if they would bring snow to the peaks.

Loggerhead Shrike bird Saguaro King Rd BLM Kofa AZLoggerhead Shrike

By morning under clear blue skies the puddles were almost gone and I couldn’t see snow on the peaks, though someone else said there was some, and it had snowed in Tucson.

Saguaro mt moon King Rd BLM Kofa AZI got busy inside working on a video about safe boondocking during southwest winter weather and the moon snuck up over a Saguaro.

Northern Mockingbird cactus King Rd BLM Kofa AZWith barely a breeze and warming temperatures I enjoyed sitting outside in the sunshine and felt Spring in the Sonoran Desert while I listened to the Mockingbird.

Saguaro mts moon King Rd BLM Kofa AZCaught the late afternoon moon trying to hide behind a Saguaro and looked forward to several more nights before the actual full moon.

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Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, Sonoran desert, United States birthday, clouds, desert, photography, rain, spring, weather, wind 16 Comments
28 February 2023

Honoring the Sonoran Desert light, shadows, and wind

late light camper shadow desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZBack to my happy place where clouds dancing over the Sonoran Desert make for amazing light and shadow play on the Kofa Mountains and even with wind provide a playground for birds, and me.

RV blocking me in VFW-BLM Yuma AZOnce the a-hole RVer left me free to move, stress level dropped, and I made a plan to return to the Sonoran Desert.  I spent a couple more days at the noisy VFW-BLM camp as I really don’t like to go anywhere on weekends.

sunrise clouds VFW-BLM Yuma AZSunrise

$5 box Girl Scout cookiesWho can resist?  I sold these almost 60 years ago for .50/box and now they’re $5

However, Sunday mornings are a good time to shop.  So I left camp about 10am and went into Yuma to run the usual errands, fill water, propane, and diesel, plus stock up on groceries that will hopefully get me through the rest of the month.

flowers blimp Dome Rock SR95 N AZThen I drove north on SR95 and along the way I saw one of the border patrol government blimps (white dot left of center) on the ground below Castle Dome Peak.

truckcamper Kofa Mts King Rd BLM AZ

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM AZIt’s only about an hour drive to the King Road which accesses Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and adjacent BLM (Bureau of Land Management) boondocking sites.  Sigh, by 1:30pm, back to the Sonoran Desert.  I found a nice large space with few RVs in sight and easily leveled with Saguaro and Kofa Mountain views.

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts King Rd BLM AZ

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts King Rd BLM AZ

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM AZWasn’t long before I was out for a walk into my new yard with camera in hand.  Clouds to the west changed the afternoon light to the east almost quicker than I could shoot.  The layers of formations in the Kofa Mountains are not always obvious under a cloudless mid-day sun.

Chocolate Mts sunset clouds King Rd BLM AZ

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts sunset clouds King Rd BLM AZColor me happy for expansive sunset skies all around.

cactus wren bird King Rd BLM Kofa AZCactus Wren

light & shadow Chocolate Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZMorning light over the Chocolate Mts

Ravens King Rd BLM Kofa AZRavens

After a deep sleep surrounded by dark and quiet, I woke to the delightful song of a Cactus Wren.  (link to song) I am excited to have birds around and wonder about putting out the trail-cam somewhere.  That will take at least another walkabout and time to observe wildlife patterns.

alligator rock & crocodile cloud Kofa Mts King Rd BLM Kofa AZCrocodile cloud over alligator rock

I had an incredibly good signal—saw the towers on the Chocolate Mountains—that would service the border patrol stop which isn’t always open.

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZBecause of a “wellness check” from my cousin I answered emails and comments in the morning.

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZAfter lunch, the 75° day called me outside under a cloud patterned sky that once again played light and shadow games across the Sonoran Desert and mountain landscape.

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts reverse sunset clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZI made and posted a short video while embracing the apricity found in the Sonoran Desert.

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts reverse sunset clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZThroughout the afternoon a few new neighbors moved in, not too close thank goodness.

Doug & GaelynThe next day wind blew strong from the southwest and right on my door.  I was afraid to try and open the door that it might be ripped out of my hands or slammed in my face.  House was rocking.  Fellow blogger Doug came by and held the door for me to get out.  Then we managed to sit outside visiting for a little while on the almost none windy side of the camper.  But as that became shaded it cooled off enough to call it a day.  Doug held the door for me to get back inside and that’s where I stayed.

window view desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZSunset through a window.

chocolate chip cookiesThe wind blew all night at a steady rocking 25mph with occasional gusts up to 60mph.  Same thing all day long.  With the high only 61° I warmed the house by baking chocolate cookies.  And I put up another short video about the Wicked Wind in the Sonoran Desert.

first light desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZThe next morning was calm and chill at 39° and although it cleared briefly rain was predicted.

Cactus wren bird Saguaro King Rd BLM Kofa AZLoggerhead Shrike bird Saguaro King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

                 Cactus Wren                                                                 Loggerhead Shrike

But not before some birds came out to play.

desert Kofa Mts rainbow King Rd BLM Kofa AZThe wind returned but I did manage to push outside several times in the afternoon between gusts and rain drops to photograph rainbows.  Wasn’t enough rain to wet the ground or plump the cactus in this dry Sonoran Desert.

desert Kofa Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZIt wasn’t terribly cold outside when the sun was shining but that wind is so annoying.  Yet I took advantage of the wind by taking a time-lapse through the window of the clouds scooting along.

morning light desert Chocolate Mts clouds King Rd BLM Kofa AZMorning light on Chocolate Mts

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts King Rd BLM Kofa AZAfternoon Kofa Mts

With a little less wind the next day, I bundled up and walked a short ways from camp in the afternoon.

Ocotillo nursery tree Saguaro King Rd BLM Kofa AZSaguaro King Rd BLM Kofa AZ

I never get very far even when I’m out for an hour or two.  So many distractions.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise clouds King Rd Kofa AZSunrise over Kofa Mts

That pretty much wraps up my first week back in the Sonoran Desert.  My current plan—and they sometimes change—is to hang here for the next full moon rise in early March.

Motorhome towing trailer King Rd BLM Kofa AZMaybe you can take it all with you

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Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, Sonoran desert, United States desert wind, Kofa Mts, photography 20 Comments
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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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