Grand Canyon Vacation - Day Seven

Today we headed two hours north of Sedona to visit Sunset Crater Volcano Monument and on the way we visited Wupatki National Monument. The goal for today was to make it back to Sedona's Red Rock State Park for a sunset view of Cathedral Rock. We made it just in time and also met Kate from down under Australia. Kate was on a two week vacation to Hawaii and Sedona

Grand Canyon Vacation Day Six

The tempature was back in high 90's today so it was back to Rock Slide State Park for another dip in the 63 degee water.

Grand Canyon Vacation Day Five

Sunny and 76. I was expecting 105 degree here in Arizona, however it's been in the cool 70's all week. Today we moved to Lo Lo Mai campground and settled into our one (no internet) room cabin up in the Red Rock Hills.

We ended the day at the airport viewing area for some epic shots of Sedona. Tomorrow its back to Slide Rock State park.

Grand Canyon Vacation Day Four - Boyton Canyon Trail

What I thought was a 3 mile hike, turned out to be a 6.5 mile hike up Boyton Trail. It was a perfect day sunny in the low 70's and overcast for some of the hike. At then top on the canyon we stopped for a picnic. Finished the afternoon "Uptown" with a stop at the fudge store then back to the Spa to warm up and soothe the feet.

Grand Canyon Vacation Day Three - Rock Slide

Started the morning Sedona style with some coffee in the Spa. Being 2 hours behind means waking up at 5am is not an issue. We made it over to Montezuma Castle National Monument to show the kids how the folks lived back in the 1200's. We then headed over to Slide Rock State Park to cool down... Really Cool. The water was 65 degrees and the air temp was 85 today. Ice Water! Then my Canon 7d completely stopped working with Error #30.

Grand Canyon Vacation Day Two Sedona

Another 8 or was it 10 hours day on the road. The time changed. Most of Arizona does not use Daylight Saving Time which really screwed us and the GPS in my car. Took a few moments to capture the Sedona rocks are we drove into town. We ended the day at Tlaquepaue Cafe and filled up on pizza and cheese.

Grand Canyon Vacation Day One

Make it to New Mexico! That was the goal, and it only took 14 hours. We did make a two pit stop at Balmohea State Park which is a great I10 West place to stop for a swim in the natural springs and have your skin picked by the fish.

blue moon cafe

Ava will be ready for the days hike up to Montazumas Castle after this HUGE hot Chocolate

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arizona

As we traverse the great desert state of Arizona, the vast open miles of cactus and amber green clumps of rag weed are divided by a misty sky.

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vacation blues viva las cruces

doesnt get any better

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ipad pitstop

the kids discovered ipads they want to spend the night here to wait for the shipment to arrive tonight not bestbuy elpaso here we come

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The New Mexico Las Cruces Best Buy had 10 iPads... They now have 8 :( :) ?)

grand canyon --- Leaving Houston

first day : }

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Last of the days light and the 4th grader

Caught a few last minute sun rays through the window while a willing subject sat playing with his friend. The Canon 50mm f1.4 is still king of the low light small DOF lens in my bag. Decided to play with some of the pics just to break up the scene.

The boy is heading to 4th grade! Now if I could just get his siblings to smile for 10 minutes.

Catching the Oyster Catcher

Decided to try one last time before vacation to see if the Stilt Eggs or Tern Eggs have hatched in Quintana, no luck... I did find a dead stilt chick... eaten? :) Ohh well, I was able to find my another Oyster Catcher again and chase him around for a few pics... I love the black patch below their pupils. I'm gonna have to research on why they have these patches.

Also ran into a swarm of about 30 Lesser Nighthawks feasting on somthing about 10 feet off the ground. Amazing to watch them fly in circles almost to herd the insecting into a feeding pen.

Coopers Hawk

Finally found a hawk nest in the back back yard with chicks! I was greeted today with a landing just over head and she took some time to check me out. The lighting was harsh, so hopefully this afternnon i'll pick up some better shots of this Coopers Hawk

Avocets, Nighthawks and a few Black Terns

My first chance to shoot Black Terns, and WOW, they were extreemely hard to focus on. The Black Tern is slightly larger than the Least Tern, and very hard to even see. Hopefully next time I'll get a shot with better lighting. The American Avocet's today were finally in the right place at the right time. Amazing looking birds, very elegant in stature and they the appear to have an leader in the group that makes the decisions for the group on when to fly. The alpha male seen here (im only guessing at the gender at this point) walked toward me as to say "back off human". The Nighthawks must be nesting in the area, but I've yet to find their nest. My 2nd Least Tern nest has either hatched or been eaten. I found dog/fox tracks leading to the nest today. The 3rd nest with three Least Terns are still ok. Also the Stilt Eggs are still there and should hatch any day.