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Sky watching from the Arizona desert

Saguaro Ocotillo Sonoran Desert Chocolate Mountains West view clouds reverse sunrise King Valley Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBeen enjoying a lot of sky watching lately what with the recent lunar eclipse and glorious sunrises and sets over the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona.  Yet fluffy clouds turned to skies of gray and there is also the chores of life.

last light Shea Road camp Parker ArizonaAfter 13 of the allowed 14 days camping on the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) just outside the Kofa NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) I needed to move on.  Where did the time go?  Besides, it was time to dump and fill tanks and get groceries.  I drove north through an almost quiet Quartzsite then continued 35 miles to Parker for a Safeway and Wally fix.  I looked at and passed on both the LaPaz County Park and Blue Water Casino dry camp with too many others for my personal taste.  Instead I drove a roughly paved six miles east of SR95 on Shea Road to a BLM boondock which was unimpressive and obviously a well used OHV area.  So glad I was prepared to leave in the morning as the crowds of noisy rigs pulled in to go tearing around in the desert.  Sure hope that’s not why there is less vegetation here.

truck campter The Scenic Rd RV Park Quartzsite ArizonaIn the morning I checked the weather and big wind was predicted for Saturday night.  So being I still had to dump tanks and fill water ($12-15) plus take a shower ($8) I figured it was time to ‘treat’ myself to a RV Park.  I checked online and found The Scenic Road with rates from 2015/16 at $30.  Called ahead and they had space.  Level and close sites located along Hwy95 as are many other parks if not on Central in downtown Quartzsite.  With tax I figure that’s a $13/night site.  I refused the first parking option with my kitchen window three feet from the Women’s bathroom door.  Got a little better but definitely sandwiched in.  Figured that might turn out to be a good thing with overnight wind gusts predicted up to 25 mph.  Certainly not my cup of tea but I can sleep almost anywhere for one night.  And I had electricity too.

I heard the wind pick up just before going to bed at 11pm.  Guess it blew more but I never felt a thing so was good to be tucked in.  Sunday morning, after filling a propane tank and topping off the truck’s diesel I headed back out to the desert south of Quartzsite, this time the King Valley Road into the Kofa NWR.

saguaros ocotillos Chocolate Mountains King Valley Road Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Pencil Cholla King Valley Road Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFound a side road from Kings Valley Road and although I could see a few RVs in the distance still felt like I had the place to myself.  Camp was surrounded by a goodly amount of saguaros and ocotillos, some palo verdes, lots of creosote bush, a few varieties of cholla, and some other scrubby stuff I don’t know.

 

Pencil Cholla

 

saguaros ocotillos Chocolate Mountains sunset sunrays King Valley Road Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaNice view of sunset over the Chocolate Mountains.

saguaros ocotillos Chocolate Mountains suset King Valley Road Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWhile baking pizza for dinner I noticed a chirping noise when propane was used.  I Googled this new to me phenomenon and discovered the noise could mean time to replace hoses or regulator which I did about four years ago when I first got the camper.  Hmmmmm……

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mountains East view cloudy sunrise King Valley Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mountains East view cloudy sunrise sunrays King Valley Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaMonday morning a layer of dark clouds hung over the eastern horizon.  Only a 20% chance of rain predicted.  I was parked on good hard rocky ground but the road I drove in on was soft dust and gravel.  Did make me wonder if I could drive it if it got very wet.  But I didn’t really plan to go anywhere for a few days anyway other than  maybe a walk towards the mountains.

Saguaro Ocotillo first light Choclate Mountains West view clouds King Valley Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWind picked up during the day keeping it cooler than it had been.  These spring like temperatures are way too early making me wonder what this low desert will be like during summer.  Even the desert will change with extended 100°+ and drought.

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mountains East view cloudy sunrise sunrays King Valley Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Ocotillo leaves King Valley Road Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe day remained gray as rows of clouds hung over the valley.  A we bit of soft female rain fell bringing a smile to my face.  Rain is a gift to the desert dwellers especially when soft and not an extended downpour.  Considering the lack of recent rain I was surprised how green leafed the ocotillo were dressed.

 

Ocotillo

 

Ocotillo Saguaro Sonoran Desert Tank Mountains South view cloudy sunrise King Valley Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAlthough chilly outside, I wore a jacket and scarf and opened the door to breath deep the petrichor of the desert.  I could feel it crying for more moisture.  What doesn’t kill us, makes us strong.

Border Patrol truck drove by and didn’t stop so guess I’m legal.

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mountains storm clouds Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSun poking through holes in the clouds sent patches of light dancing across the land.  I grabbed the camera, stepped outside, and it was gone.  Just a tease.  In and out, taking ever more photos of the light on the desert while still processing the morning shots.

Sonoran Desert Chocolate Mountains storm clouds sunset sunrays King Valley Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Sonoran Desert Chocolate Mountains storm clouds sunset sunrays King Valley Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaGorgeous sunrays before sunset and after dark it seriously rained.

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mountains storm clouds sunrays King Valley Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI awoke to a fresh desert Tuesday morning.  The ground not really wet but with a scent of moisture and more low clouds indicating another day of perhaps life giving rain.  Was enough to settle the dust on the road without making a mess.

Cholla Saguaro Tank Mountains clouds King Valley Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaJumping Cholla Tank Mountains

Yet it did not rain so I went for a walk and heard only the wind and nothing else.  Where are the birds.

mountains approaching Agila Arizona

Enough gray.  Third day and I’m done with it.  I wanted my sunshine back.  And so, seemingly, did my solar system.  The control panel gave a fault message saying “the batteries are discharged below the minimum acceptable level”.  With another two days of cloud cover coming I would be in trouble.  No lights and eventually the fridge won’t ignite.  Called Solar Bill in Quartzsite and was told “gray skies don’t make much power” to keep my one battery charged.  I could live without lights but don’t want the ice cream to melt.  For some reason running the truck doesn’t charge the house battery.  Something that needs to be fixed.  At least the propane tank quit singing.

rain low clouds Weaver Mountains SR89 North to Yarnell ArizonaSo, I could pay $20-30 to camp in Quartzsite to charge the battery, or, drive two hours to home, plug in, and take care of some business plus pick up mail including new slippers and a book.  And here I am in Yarnell, at the top of the foggy mountain.

Arizona, Kofa NWR, Parker, Places I've been, Quartzsite, United States , , , , , , , , 16 Comments

Kofa NWR-sunrise, sunset, the moon, and hike Palm Canyon

desert late light Kofa NWR ArizonaThe day after photographing the super blue blood lunar eclipse from the Kofa NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) friends left and I continued to watch the sky and hang out in the desert.

desert sunrise Kofa Mountains Kofa NWR ArizonaSunrise

First morning of February, I found myself turning back and forth 180° as the sun rose over the Kofa Mountains and the moon set over the Dome Rock Mountains.

desert sunset Dome Rock Mountains Kofa NWR ArizonaSunset

Back at it for sunset then early to bed from the way too early morning the day before.

sunrise Kofa Mountains Kofa NWR ArizonaSunrise

I’ve spent daytime absorbing the peace and quiet of the desert.  Didn’t see much wildlife, a few birds including a soaring red-tail hawk, scat from coyote and deer, and one night eye-shine from my headlamp not more than 10 inches off the ground disappeared behind a creosote bush about 50 feet away.

desert moonset Dome Rock Mountains Kofa NWR ArizonaMoonset at sunrise

Second day of February I’m still at it, up for sunrise and in time to see the moon yet too bright by the time it sets.  Groundhog day for Punxsutawney Phil in  Pennsylvania while here in Arizona the cactus saw a tall shadow so that could mean six more weeks of winter.  But it’s been feeling more like spring at 80°/50°F.  So even though I’m loving that weather I’m hoping for winter.

sunset Dome Rock Mountains Kofa NWR ArizonaSunset

Tom showed up late Friday afternoon just in time for sunset.  Saturday we hung out in camp and watched the world go by as we chatted about any number of topics and watched contrails crisscross across the clear blue sky.

entering Palm Canyon trail Kofa NWR ArizonaSunday we hiked the Palm Canyon trail located just up the road from camp.  Was almost a year ago to the day I hiked this trail for the first time.  It’s in the shade so cool enough I was glad to have grabbed a lightweight long-sleeved shirt.

Gaelyn Palm Canyon Kofa NWR Arizona by T Morse

Gaelyn heads up Palm Canyon Trail by T. Morse

The .5 mile hike is fairly easy with a few areas of boulder climbing and only a small gain in elevation.  Saw a lot of folks with trekking poles which I usually consider a bother when taking photos.  One couple told us where to look for bighorn sheep but even with binoculars we didn’t see sheep.

California Palms side canyon from Palm Canyon trail Kofa NWR ArizonaCalifornia Palms light Palm Canyon Trail Kofa NWR Arizona

Arrived to the sign pointing to the side canyon where the palms grow and fortunately didn’t wait long for the afternoon light to shine on the palms.  These California Fan Palms, Washingtonia filifera, are perhaps the only native palm trees in Arizona.  Because palm trees do not produce annual growth rings it’s very difficult to say how old the trees might be.

Kofa Mountains up canyon Palm Canyon trail Kofa NWR ArizonaWater erosion through the volcanic rhyolite rock formed Palm Canyon.

La Posa Plain Dome Rock Mountains from Palm Canyon trail Kofa NWR ArizonaOn the return hike we looked across the La Posa Plains to the Dome Rock Mountains 30 miles away.

desert Kofa Mountains Kofa NWR ArizonaAlthough there aren’t that many RVs around and people are good about leaving space it seems they are in sight so I try to hide them behind trees like Palo Verde and Ironwood.

Kofa Mountains sunrise Kofa NWR ArizonaMonday greeted us with a marvelous sunrise.

Tom riding electric scooter Quartzsite ArizonaWe walked through a lot of vendors in Quartzsite and of course I found a few more things I didn’t know I could live without.  Tom test drove an electric scooter he thinks would be a fine addition on the back of his motorhome.

desert Dome Rock Mountains late light Kofa NWR ArizonaThat evening we drove toward the Kofa mountains with several stops to enjoy the golden hour.

sunset desert Dome Rock Mountains Kofa NWR ArizonaThe Sonoran Desert can be a prickly place to walk and you have to be cautious of the jumping cholla whose spines show no mercy.

sunset desert Kofa NWR ArizonaYet their glow in the late afternoon light beckons one in.

Tom left Tuesday morning and I’m still here.  Saturday marks my 14-day limit.  I’m concerned about the possible government shutdown Friday so not sure where to go.  Had been planning (a mistake) to visit some friends volunteering at Casa Grande National Monument but don’t want to get caught off guard.  I might be able to hang out nearby a bit longer but will have to dump and fill in a few days.  Also need a grocery run which is not great in Quartzsite but there’s a Safeway in Parker.

Palm Canyon trail Kofa NWR ArizonaWhere is it

East side of US Highway 95 approximately 63 miles north of Yuma and 18 miles south of Quartzsite, Arizona near milepost 85.  Sign reads Palm Canyon and the gravel road is usually in pretty good shape, a little rough, but could be nasty after rain.  Seven miles to parking for Palm Canyon Trailhead.

sunset desert Dome Rock Mountains Kofa NWR ArizonaSunset

Camping is pretty close to the gravel Palm Canyon Road both on BLM and the NWR.  Lots of vehicles drive fast and if the wind is blowing your way it gets damn dusty.  It’s free camping for 14 days with absolutely no services.  Bring plenty of water.  Do not drive over or park on vegetation.  In the NWR I saw signs about no vehicles beyond a line of rocks not far from the road.  Good signal with Verizon usually 4G with 3-5 bars.

Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, United States , , , , , 12 Comments

Super Blue Blood Lunar Eclipse at Kofa NWR

phases lunar eclipse arc Kofa National Wildlife Refuge AZOn January 31, 2018, a Super Blue Blood Lunar Eclipse appeared for the first time in 150 years.  While none of these astronomical events are rare in themselves, together is a big deal.  The moon is ‘Super’ because it’s 14% bigger and 30% brighter than usual.  The second full moon of the month is called a ‘blue moon’ even though it is not the color blue.  And during a total lunar eclipse the moon passes through Earth’s shadow giving it a red tint, or ‘blood’ color.

returning moon eclipse Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaIt’s sort of like, once in a blue moon.

saguaro sunset Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAfter a week on the compact desert too close to Quartzsite and other RVs I moved about 40 miles south to the BLM adjacent to Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) along Palm Canyon Road.  It’s a more dense desert with mountains all around but also provides some far views.  I thought it might work for the lunar eclipse in the early morn of Wednesday.

photopills augumented reality moon rise Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI downloaded the PhotoPills app onto my Android and had three days to figure out why.  Thank goodness for a strong signal as I watched videos, read articles and played with this powerful little app for photographers.  Maps, charts, suggestions, and augmented reality made it possible to line up moon and sun, rise and set, along the actual horizon I’m looking at.  It was close, there are mountains.  Not sure how to adjust for that yet.

desert sunset sunrays Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFor a slight change in vegetation I moved east a bit the next morning to be surrounded by more desert plants: multi-armed saguaros, jumping cholla that glistens in the sun, lime-green twisted palo verde, lots of creosote bushes, beavertail cactus, and some other scrubby stuff I don’t know by name.

Kofa spiral labyrinth Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaHowever I ended up parked a little too close to the Kofa spiral labyrinth which I knew nothing about.  Can’t see it from the road but folks come looking so there’s a bit too much traffic for my taste.

Kofa Mountains sunrise Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI planned to move again the next morning.  But not until after the breathtaking 360° sunrise that rose with wings over the Kofa Mountains to the East.  Color engulfed the horizon and sent a cherry glow to the surrounding landscape, Southeast the Castle Dome Mountains, Southwest the Chocolate Mountains (how can you not like those?), Northwest the Dome Rock Mountains, and me sitting in the middle of it all.  I even took video on the phone but I’m not sure it will load here.

desert Kofa Mountains Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWhere I thought the moon would rise

PhotoPills calculated when and where the 96.7% waxing gibbous moon rose over the mountains using augmented reality.  I was off a bit as it’s difficult to see in the phone’s screen with sun shinning on it.  Plus I haven’t figured out how to add “obstacles” to alter the actual time the moon would break this elevated horizon line.  Definitely a learning curve, but fun.  I am amazed by the possibilities.  I can even plan in advance and save for offline use.

desert Kofa Mountains moon Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI wanted to photograph the moon as big as possible so swapped into my largest lens, 55-300mm.  Not exactly wide angle or all that much zoom/telephoto, but it’s what I have and was happy with the results.

Kofa Mountains moon rise Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaRebecca (an excellent photographer) and husband showed up Tuesday afternoon in time for a brew before catching the 99.6% waxing gibbous moon rising over the Kofa Mountains along with a little bit of sunset.  She pulled out the big lens at 400mm with a 1.5x teleconverter.  Wish I’d taken a photo of that set up.

Then early to bed with the alarm set for 3:30am to catch the beginning of the super blue moon lunar eclipse.

lunar eclipse Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI set up the tripod Wednesday and shot the moon, repeatedly, for about an hour from the presumably 3:51am start time but noticed no change to the moon.   The bright light of the full moon sent shadows across the desert floor however was still too high in the sky to include any landscape.  The 47°F was tolerable with multiple layers and a hat.  Yes, I’m a weenie, even in Arizona.

lunar eclipse Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe eclipse’s phases lasted over three hours as the Earth moved between the moon and sun.  I set the tripod near the camper and stepped out of the warmth every ten minutes to shoot a bracketed image.  Had the remote batteries not been dead I probably could have shot from inside.  Does seem a little like cheating, but if it was colder I would try.  Definitely takes some commitment.

lunar eclipse Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSadly, focusing on the moon in the dark isn’t easy and by the time the blood moon arrived approaching totality the camera was out of focus and those shots are all blurry.  Then it got really dark with an infinite starry sky which I also failed at photographing.  This is when I probably should have bumped up the ISO.

Kofa Mountains sunrise Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFinally around 7am the eastern sky began to lighten.

saguaro returning moon set Chocolate Mountains Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe returning moon slipped down low enough to see the mountainous horizon and a little foreground.

returning moon set Chocolate Mountains Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen disappeared before returning to full.  Exciting!

Several days in the desert have warmed to about 80°.  I love it!!!  But it’s not right and shouldn’t be this warm the end of January.  Also surprising is the lack of wind and thus a palpable silence in the desert.

almost full moon Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThat night I enjoyed the gloaming once again, 99.6% but now waning gibbous, shrinking.  Have struggled to remember waxing and waning until I thought about waxing as adding dribbles on an old Sangria bottle.  Hey, it works for me.

desert road almost full moon set Earth shadow Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnd Thursday morning I didn’t need to be up so early to catch the almost 8am sunrise followed by a fading moon-set into the Earth’s shadow.

eclipse map

What I learned

Got some good shots and learned some lessons for next time.  July 27, 2018, the next total lunar eclipse will be visible from South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.  Guess I’ll miss that one.  Not until January 20-21, 2019 in North America, so I’m sure to have forgotten much and will study it all again.  Using PhotoPills really helped with pre-planning.  Research helped with camera settings.  I didn’t change the ISO from 200 throughout the shoot and probably should have during totality but don’t like to go over 800 as images get grainy.  Bracketing with the long exposures resulted in blur.  Check focus more frequently.  Go to bed earlier for that early of a shot although I did take an afternoon nap after Rebecca and husband left Wednesday.

The next Super Blue Blood Lunar Eclipse happens 12-31-28.  Wonder where I’ll be for that New Year’s Eve celebration?

astronomical events, eclipse, photography, Super Moon , , , , , , 16 Comments

Lijit

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