Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Trip to Zion National Park

 Over the long Christmas weekend, Eric and I drove to Zion National Park.  It was my first time visiting but Eric had been there as a child.  It was magnificent.  And, like Sedona and the Grand Canyon, pictures do not do it justice. But you know I have to try!


Sun shining on the Virgin River

Red rocks in the snow

Huge tree along our hike

Snow covered hand rails
Deer approaching us on the trail
Deer with grass in his mouth

Buck watching me get closer

Snow covered rocks

Icicles on the red walls
Snow covered logs

One of the majestic mountains

Deer framed by the tree

Lady Mountain (I believe)

Snowy, muddy trail

We came across a flock of turkeys  - a first for me!

Wild Turkey!

Wild turkey print in the snow
Virgin River

B&W of the Virgin River     

Another first - big horn sheep!

They were pretty far up the mountain and I didn't have a good zoom lens - but still cool!


Loved the lines and light on this formation

Checkerboard Mesa


Checkerboard Mesa - the lines are caused from wind and weather over the years

Eagle on the roadside with it's kill - I got a little closer and he flew away (but not far!)

Open land at sunset

Buffalo
  

 
Home on the range
 
Closeup

Marble Canyon of the Colorado River

Navajo Bridge over the Colorado

You can see the sand banks on the south side of the river

Goodbye for now!  I hope to visit northern AZ / southern Utah again soon!

 
 
"While the river of life glides along smoothly, it remains the same river; only the landscape on either bank seems to change."  ~Max Muller
 
"And finally Winter, with its bitin', whinin' wind, and all the land will be mantled with snow." 
~Roy Bean
 

 

Monday, November 9, 2015

Birds of Africa

Lilac Breasted Roller

Tawny Eagle (I think)



Starling

They call this an African Fish Eagle...look familiar?

Yellowbilled Hornbills


Yellowbilled Hornbill










Starling - look at the yellow eyes!

Lilac Breasted Roller

Crested Barbet
Crowned Plover

Crowned Plover

Crowned Plover about to nest on her babies

Crowned Plover on her babies


Brown-hooded Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher

Giant Kingfisher
Giant Kingfisher

Heron


Little Bee-Eaters


He has feathers stuck in his beak


Tree full of vultures

Helmeted Guineafowl - these guys were everywhere!







Swallow Tailed Bee Eater



Swallow Tailed Bee Eater

Carmine Bee Eater
Starlings




Not sure what he is but I loved the nearly hidden colors


Great White Egret


Heron



African Skimmers





Lilac Breasted Roller

Kori Bustard - the largest flying bird native to Africa

Blacksmith Lapwing






Lilac Breasted Roller


Abysinnian Roller (I think)






Bee Eater living up to his name!