Scenic Sunday - Morning light at Grand Canyon

OK, I know I’ve probably mentioned before that I’m not a great morning person. But once up and about I just love to watch the morning light push the shadows deeper into the canyon. I must have hundreds of photos of this, yet am compelled to take another every time I see this. Hope you’re not bored with pics of Grand Canyon.

So see more beautiful scenes, or to share your own, go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.

Fall colors at Grand Canyon's North Rim

Almost two weeks ago
Fall just snuck up on me.

One week ago
Seems like a week ago the Aspen showed only small patches of color.

Then temperatures dropped below freezing overnight, though not a hard freeze yet, and the colors now show boldly.

Shaggy Manes
I noticed these growing along a gravel road, but they were too far gone to eat.

Visitors often ask when the Aspen will go gold.

Ferns
It sort of depends on the weather.

Unknown, feel free to ID
Last year, as I look back at my photos, the fourth week in September. This year about the same.
Guess I’ll start tracking this every year.

Sky Watch Friday - Snagged a Grand Canyon Sunset

From Cape Royal trail looking southeast
I took this the night of Cape Royal sunset and posted that series here. They probably should have been my SWF post, but I just couldn’t wait. And this shot was taken on the walk back to my rig after the official sunset was over.

It is now definitely fall at Grand Canyon and the Aspen are turning gold. I hope to post some images tomorrow.

To see more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Jerusalem Cricket

It’s all Joan’s fault. But that’s OK.

Because she has me looking at the world in a different way.

Now If I could just get more angles.

I don’t know bugs from bananas, but I’m learning with the help of Kaufman’s Field Guide to Insects of North America, which says, “Jerusalem Crickets, Stenopelmatus, are perhaps our most maligned and misidentified insects. They are not crickets but more closely related to the wetas [whatever that is] of Australia and New Zealand. They are nocturnal [yet it was broad daylight], burrow in loose soil in dry habitats [yup, it crawled under a rock], probably predatory [it was about one inch long and Wiki said it can be up to 2.7 inches], not venomous but can deliver a wicked bite if carelessly handled. [OMG, do you see those mandibles? Sorry Joan, I wasn’t about to handle it.] The life cycle may take four or five years to complete.” Wiki also said they eat dead organic material and other insects.

By getting down on my knees to get this capture I had visitors stopping to look and also photograph. Very cool. Next time I’ll know what it is. Thanks Joan for reminding me to look at the insect world up close.

Remember Whensday - I used to draw

This pastel was drawn on a brown paper bag to wrap a birthday present when I worked at Mount St. Helens back in the 1990s.

Sally from The (Mis) Adventures of Karl and Sally has started a new meme where the past is remembered through sharing old family photographs and this is #16. I love the idea and hope you will too. So join the fun by clicking here.

Tough Choice

NPS archives
The view at Toroweap is iconic, something I feel a strong need to see. For months I’ve had the opportunity to borrow a neighbors 4x4 jeep and planned to take it to Toroweap with a co-worker. All I had to do was tell the jeep owner when so I could get the keys. The final plan to go on this adventure would be October 6, 7, & 8, a week before my season ends and a rim to rim hike with a friend. I’d planned to confirm with the jeep owner today but found out last night his season ends the middle of next week and then he’s out of here. I could use the jeep on these current days off, and that would mean I’d have to go alone. Hmmmm. I usually have no problem with solo travel; I do it a lot or wouldn’t get to go. However, Toroweap is at the end of a very rugged, wash board, rutted and rocky 65 miles, plus another 90 paved miles beyond where I live. The last 5 miles are slick rock and flat tires are common. I figure at least a 4-5 hour drive, each way then camp with borrowed gear. Of course no cell service and understandably not heavily traveled. Hmmmm. I fell asleep thinking I should chance it. Heck, you can only be disappointed about things you don’t do, as long as there’s no expectations.

NPS archives
This morning when I got up it felt cold in the house and was 40F outside at 7am. I checked at NOAA for the long range weather report at Toroweap, 40F nights and 80F days. Hmmm. I have chores to do, two weeks’ worth of laundry or no clean uniforms. Get the camper ready for next week’s journey to drop it off in my winter home of Yarnell. Hmmmm.

NPS archives
I’ve had to make a difficult decision and decided to compromise. Toroweap will have to wait. Being it’s been there millions of years already I’m sure that won’t be a problem. I’ll go next year. Instead I’m going to borrow the jeep for a day trip adventure into the Kaibab National Forest. That means I’ll have lots to post when I return from awesome views of Grand Canyon.

Bobcat in the Woods

I know it’s a really fuzzy photo, but it’s the best of three
I was on my way out to the Walhalla Plateau yesterday morning and saw an animal run across the road not too far in front of me so I slowed down as I got parallel to where it disappeared into the woods. Window down and camera ready I saw this Bobcat slip under the low growth then stop, sit down and look right at me. I was shaking with excitement. This is the first Bobcat I’ve ever seen in the wild. Just had to share.

My World Tuesday - Cape Royal Sunset

5:11pm
To view the Cape Royal sunset go here.

Cliff Springs Trail - Grand Canyon NP

View into side canyon from trailAfter lunch at the Walhalla overlook I hiked the Cliff Springs Trail...