It’s been a busy week here on the mountain. A change in weather tends to bring the animals in, and this week they have come.
We have had a javelina family, and fox.
Big bull and little buck…
Now all we need is some snow!!!
Visitors
The Bucks Have It
While I love when we see any animals, the most coveted are the most unique and least often seen. Big animals, boys (bucks and bulls), and babies bring the most attention due to their illusiveness.
Aside from that, gestures and action, garner more interest, like this floppy eared buck.
I try to capture their personality and individualism in their environment to share.
These animals are here and gone, so it’s important to me to make their moment shine. I keep telling ’em, smile pretty for the camera – sometimes they actually listen.
Aztec Peak
Workman’s Creek in Gila County, resides in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. It is along a long dirt road 25 miles from Young to the North; or 30 miles from Globe to the South.
The two hundred foot falls drop down to the ground below cascading over rocks along the overgrown creek bed. With little rain this season, the falls are not running.
We weren’t here to see the Falls… or Workman’s Creek. We came to check out Aztec Peak, which continues on the road past the falls (if the gate is open).
Aztec Peak is the highest point in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. We were greeted by hazy skies from the smoke in the valley below. The 21,000 acre Salt Fire, the 5,000 acre Meddler Fire, the 9,000 Medicine Fire and the 62,000 acres Griffin Fire, all contributing their fair share of smoke. At night we could see the glow of the fires burning, the closest only 5 miles away from us.
The views from the Peak were terrific, though mired by the smoke and haze. It is definitely worthy of another trip, despite the long drive.
Hopi Chipmunk
During our last visit to Carnero Lake (kritterspaw.com/2020/08/16/carnero-lake/), we encountered some playful chipmunks.
I watched them for hours as they got used to me being there, as I inched closer and closer to them.
Once they got comfortable with me being there, I watched them run around and play, chase each other around the rocks and through the forest.
It’s amazing what you can get if you sit still long enough and exercise a little patience.
I think there’s a lesson there.
Carneros Sunrise
Just outside of Green’s Peak in a beautiful peaceful little lake called Carneros Lake. While it’s difficult to fish from the shore due to its shallow depths and many reeds, it is popular to launch a canoe and fish from its waters.
But we go for the peaceful allure, the sunset / sunrise from the water’s edge, and the numerous waterfowl that frequent its water.
We loved watching the osprey fish… diving from the sky, crashing into the water and pulling up fish. I should have brought my big lens, but got a couple shots I had to crop. I’ll have to go back with the big lens next time.
When I wasn’t enjoying the osprey, coots, or blue heron I was entertained by the little chipmunks gathering pinecones.
Carneros Lake is beautiful respite and peaceful environment with free entertainment to boot. I can’t wait to go back.
Babe in the Woods
The babies are back!
Our elk baby sightings have been fleeting since the Tinder Fire hit us two years ago now…. that is, until now.
I was so excited to see a herd of elk momma’s with babies in tow. Seeing their tired and beat up bodies, I wondered that their absence wasn’t so much the fire, as predators. One elk baby had a gash across her back that was bigger than she was. It’s amazing she survived whatever attacked her.
Watching their interactions and cute newness, was a real joy.
I hope they’ll be back, and bring their babies with. I can never get enough of these precious animals… they just make my heart feel good.
San Francisco Peaks
I would consider myself a scattered photographer… some people would call it spray and pray, ok, there i said it. My photography teacher in high school called me prolific.
Let’s just say I take a lot of photos of mixed variety.
For me to take a single photo (omg, never), a solitary subject (why??), or a single place (ok, doable) is a foreign concept. I like to wander around and take different perspectives to convey the ‘whole story’.
In an effort to stretch myself and my photography I decided to shoot the San Francisco Peaks. I love the fleeting snow and new green trees in her belly.. a sign of spring taking hold and summer on her heels.
I wanted to take photos from a different perspective so we traveled around to the north side of the peaks to get a southern view, and camped out for sunset and sunrise to capture her beauty.
We were lucky enough to get some nice skies, and I am happy to be able to show off another beautiful icon of Northern AZ.
Fossil Creek
You may have seen my post here… https://kritterspix.com/2019/11/08/fossil-creek-nd/ regarding Fossil Creek. I was pleased with the photos I got during that visit, so we decided to make the trek to do it again.
After the long drive along the bumpy dirt road to get to the creek, there are several ‘entry’ points for one to ramble down the hill to walk along the creek. We have been a number of times over the years, and enjoy the serenity of the water gushing over the rocks.
It makes a wonderful place for a picnic to relax and let your troubles wash away. (I know, I know, if only it were that simple.) It does though provide a peaceful respite from our hectic lives.
We did notice that Fossil Creek has become very overgrown and ‘scrubby’. In taking photographs, I had a hard time cutting the clutter out of my pix. You may notice that all these photos are tight knit to the horizon with no sky. That’s because the horizon above the water was tangled and busy.
Sometimes you just have to cut the clutter from our vantage point.
My Best Landscape Photos of 2019
Every year, I like to take pause to reflect on my year past, both in terms of what we have done, where we have gone, and what we have accomplished – but also in terms of my best shots. Reflecting on what I have done, helps me to see where I came from, to help me consider where I want to go. I will keep these to Top 10 to force me to choose those I most liked. Feel free to weigh in…
So without further ado, in no particular order:
- Runoff outside of Workman’s Creek, AZ
2. Mogollon Rim, through the fog
3. Milk Ranch Road, Sunburst
4. Blue Ridge Reservoir sunrise
5. Hawley Lake sunrise
6. Smoke Burst, Mogollon Rim
7. Blue Ridge Reservoir, Fall
8. West Fork Trail, Sedona
9. Fossil Creek, Fall falls
10. Fossil creek
That’s it. I’m comforted knowing that I left out some additional good shots to pare it down to these 10. Life’s about choices, and these are mine, and I’m sticking to it.
Check out my best wildlife photos of the year here….https://kritterspaw.com/2020/01/09/my-best-wildlife-photos-of-2019/
From Sun to Snow
Hard to believe a week ago we were enjoying the coast of CA… and now we are enjoying snow at home in AZ.
We’re happy to get whatever nature gives us. The snow is good for our forest and our trees. Besides, it was nice to have a white Christmas.
We got about 12″ out of our two storms. Let’s hope there is more to come. : )
kritterspix 