Back in the mud!

Murph and I went back out to the refuge today, first time in 3 weeks.  Way too long, as Murph told me!!

Beautiful day, with the Canuks getting into their parenting mode, Northern pintails looking beautiful, eagles and gulls just being their goofy selves, just another great day.

Losing the Sun.

We stayed in Kanab Friday night and drove over early to St. George for Diana's meeting.  Along the way, I took one of the last shots of the sun for the next couple of days.

This morning in St. George it is raining with rain and snow predictions for the drive home.  Should be interesting.  There are a number of places that can get quite wicked in cold and snowy weather. 

Headed Home!

We went over to Ravensheart coffee with Rick and Carey to spend a few minutes together before we all went our separate ways.  There in the parking area was Merlin, big as life!  I much prefer him over Gaia, whom I presented to you yesterday :-)

From there we had a wonderful trip to Kanab.  We stopped in Flag and had lunch with our godson, Z, who took us out to his favorite Thai restaurant and had his favorite (and only ) dish - Pad Thai!  From there a long drive through Navajo land, to Page where we were greeted with a young cowboy practicing his roping (he needs the practice) and then wonderful sunset pictures of the cliffs and Lake Powell.  They are very soft with the green of sage mixed in them - absolutely incredible.

Jerome, AZ

While most of what I shoot and display is nature or wildlife, towns offer a great opportunity for unique and beautiful pictures.  We traveled out to Jerome, AZ, today, and saw Gaia along the way!  Had to stop, of course.   She's at least 30 feet tall, and stands out dynamically against the blue Arizona sky.

Later, in Jerome, I ran across a couple of other shots.  Interestingly, for me, I hardly ever shoot towns, unless I can get a very unique perspective.  I'm sure Jerome has some, as it sits on top of a mountain!  But in my travels, I didn't see the perspective so took other things!

Another view of Grandfather!

Grandfather Raven

Ravens are everywhere here in Sedona; most popular places seem to be the grocery store parking lot and restaurant parking lots where people might and do drop food.  I journeyed to the local Safeway this
morning for fresh Peet's coffee and found this beauty sitting above my head on the light standard.

Also this morning a walk around the complex introduced me to a Cooper's hawk and a rabbit!

 

TLAQUEPAQUE

We visited the above named shopping center this afternoon; the ladies went early and shopped, and the guys came later and joined them for marguerita's and Mexican food at El Rincon, our favorite place for both!  There is always something to photograph there, and here are some of the wonders we saw!

Some of the art is just out-of-this-world!  Glass, metal, sculptures - incredibly inspiring.  Words cannot describe.