July 9, 2012: Little Spring

The lack of moisture has resulted in Little Spring drying up--not even a drip coming from the pipe.  There is a little water left in the pond and in the mud you can see where the elk and deer have come to drink.  The wildflowers are also feeling the effects of the drought--locoweed is blooming in just a few places and the sneezeweed is almost gone.  The yellow coneflowers are just coming into bloom around the spring pond.  The butterflies cover almost every flower, sharing the nectar with bees and other insects.  Despite the lack of moisture, it is still an amAZing place to visit.

Atlantis Fritillary on Sneezeweed

Bee Fly on Sneezeweed Bloom

Acmon Blue Butterfly

Telluride, CO

I just returned from Telluride, Colorado where I spent an afternoon/evening photo trip with Telluride Outside's guide, Brad Foley shooting old buildings, waterfalls and lakes in the surrounding mountains.  Thanks to Brad (bradfoleyphotography.com), I was able to create the following images:

Bridal Veil Falls 

 Fishin' on Priest Lake

 Old Cabin, New Aspen

 Still Standing in Alta

 Weathered Wood

Alpen Glow at Upper Alta

June 6, 2012: Orchid Hunt in Abineau Canyon

Despite living in Flagstaff for over 30 years, it took an article in the Arizona Daily Sun by Tom Bean to inform me that 5 different species or orchids (yes, I said "orchids!) can be found on the San Francisco Peaks.  To celebrate the beginning of my summer break,  I headed up Abineau Canyon in search of these rare flowers.  To my surprise and amazement, I found two: Spotted Coral Root and Calypso!

 Spotted Coral Root

Calypso

 View of the highest point in Arizona from Abineau Canyon

Showy Jacob's Ladder 

 Healthy Aspens

New Firs on Waterline Road

Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Globe, AZ

It hasn't been a good year for spring wildflowers in the desert, but you can always count on a variety of wildflowers and cacti in bloom during the spring months at Boyce Thompson Arboretum.  Located east of Phoenix near Globe, this state park is an amAZining riparian area as well as a desert environment and a birding hotspot. 

                                       Male Cardinal                                          

 Female Cardinal

 Desert Marigold

 Fairy Duster and Agave

 Desert Globemallow

 Parry's Penstemon

Hedgehog in Bloom 

 Barrel Cactus

 Cooper's Hawk Female

Power Wagon in the Outback Area

Yellowstone Winter

Yellowstone National Park during the winter season is magical.  Snow and ice take over the roads and trails;  visitation is limited to guided access in and out.  The thermal features provide warmth for the park's animals and steam billows high in the cold air.  These photos were taken January 14-15.  My thanks to John of Yellowstone Alpen Guides  in West Yellowstone who provided a wonderful private tour of the Lower Loop in search of the elusive river otters and wolves.

 The "Cygnet", a 1952 Bombadier 

Beaver feeding on Otter Creek

Taking Shelter from the Wind

                                                                     

                                                       

                                                          Heart Spring

                                                   Sharing the Road

 

                                                Sunset at Snow Lodge

Yellowstone Falls

November 18, 2011: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico

Located in west central New Mexico, approximately 85 miles south of Albuquerque, along the Rio Grande, Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge is the winter home to thousands of ducks, geese and sandhill cranes.  I first learned about Bosque from my uncle, Scoot Oliver, who worked here growing the crops that feed the birds when they migrate south.

Sandhill Cranes in Flight.

 Aggressive Posture

  Mallards in the field viewed from the Coyote Deck.

                                                                

  Snow Geese

 White Pelicans

November 10, 2011: Red Rock Crossing

Fall is just starting to show at Red Rock Crossing but the majority of the trees are still green.  The water of Oak Creek was running high and fast due to recent snowfall in the high country.  This is the most photographed area in Arizona for good reason!