az | kritterspix

Tinder Run-off

Posted on July 14, 2018July 22, 2018 by kritterspaw

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We have been trying to take advantage of the moody skies, fog, and rain to capture the aftermath of the Tinder Fire. Only yesterday, this ‘water hole’ was dry. But with a recent rain storm, and lack of vegetation destroyed by the fire, the water ran down the hill and formed this instant lake, crippled by ash scum coating the top.

It’s one of the many features and stories told by the aftermath of the Tinder Fire that I want to capture for posterity, having lived through it.

If only these signs of the fire could talk and tell the story for themselves of the fear and danger approaching. The charcoal and cinder, soot and burn left in it’s wake as testament to the flames that rolled through.

It’s a new day post – Tinder Fire, and may we all remember the horror and effect of forest fires and the camaraderie of others during difficult times.

See my additional post here… https://kritterspaw.com/2018/07/22/tinder-aftermath/

Big Lake, Greer AZ

Posted on July 1, 2018July 1, 2018 by kritterspaw

There are a number of little lakes around the Show Low / Heber area in northeast AZ. Originally named, Big Lake is one of the larger lakes, with multiple camp grounds, and boat rentals that make up this Recreational Area.

There are signs everywhere to be aware of bear… but we didn’t see any, only Journey who enjoyed a dip in the water during the water summer sun.

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We did see some antelope which is always a treat, along with the occasional deer and elk.

Somewhere Where It’s Quiet

Posted on June 9, 2018June 9, 2018 by kritterspaw

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Now if that doesn’t describe where we live, I don’t know what does!

We live in the most amazing place, with the most amazing people, and the most amazing animals. It is truly somewhere where it’s quiet. Somewhere between the Mogollon Rim and Moqui Draw, surrounded by Potato Lake, Knoll Lake, and Blue Ridge Reservoir, and littered with elk, deer, bobcat, mountain lions, fox, and coyote. This is what we call our home.

After the devastating Tinder Fire (https://kritterspaw.com/2018/05/02/tinder-fire/) which we still continue to clean up from that raged in our backyards, we are blessed to have friends and neighbors helping each other out.

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And this is what it looked like BEFORE the fire. My photo of Moqui Draw, now scarred by the Tinder Fire.

“At sunset, fog shrouds a ponderosa pine forest at Moqui Draw, along East Clear Creek in the Coconino National Forest. This spot is about a mile southeast of State Route 87 and northeast of Potato Lake.” Photograph by Kathy Ritter, published in the June 2018 Arizona Highways Magazine, just after the Tinder Fire devastated this very same area.

Elusive Elk

Posted on April 20, 2018April 21, 2018 by kritterspaw

We go to the Mogollon Rim often just to look for animals. Our elk have been very elusive lately. On our most recent trip we saw a large herd of probably 100 elk.

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But with all our multiple sightings, they were very camera shy and spooky… and by spooky I don’t mean scary, I mean scared. They ran at the mere sound of us, and just wouldn’t stay still for a shutter release.

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I keep telling ’em… I’ll make you famous :). But they don’t listen.

No worries… I’m persistent. I’ll be back!

Tonto National Monument

Posted on March 25, 2018March 25, 2018 by kritterspaw

I was born in Phoenix, AZ… and have lived here all my adult life (despite the fact that I have traveled and lived in a dozen or so states). So we are pretty familiar with AZ, and her backroads.

But, I have never been to Tonto National Monument, until this week. It was a first for both John (who moved here when he was 11 mo. old) and myself.

Despite the fact that I was less than impressed, it was a good trip, a nice hike (which Journey was marginally allowed on), and very scenic.

We loved the view of Roosevelt Lake from the ruins more than we liked the ruins themselves. It was blue blue sky day… but made for a nice diversion for the day.

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Mary Colter’s Watchtower

Posted on February 25, 2018February 25, 2018 by kritterspaw

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All the sudden I am fascinated with Mary Colter. While she is a figure from our past (born 1869), I find her a fascinating character. When her father died at only 53 (who refused her pleas to go to Art School), she struck a deal with her mother that she would use what little money he left to pay for her to go to school. She would then get her education and become a teacher to provide monies for her mother and young sister. Her mother agreed, and Mary moved her mother and sister from St Paul, MN to California to go to the California School of Art and Design. There she got her architecture degree in 1890, and as promised got a job teaching to support the family.

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By 1902 she was hired by Fred Harvey to design a style of architecture that would become known as Rustic National Park, used by most National Parks to follow. Her association with Fred Harvey lasted for 48 years. Many of the Fred Harvey buildings she was associated with have been since demolished by the railroads.

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But the Grand Canyon remains the single largest treasure trove of Mary Colter works , including the Lookout Studio, Hopi House, Hermit’s Rest, and the Watchtower, all of which continue to thrive and entertain… albeit, unfortunately as gift shops today.

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One of her last ‘masterpieces’ was the Watchtower at the Grand Canyon-South Rim. It was built in 1932. It was modeled after several Indian towers, mostly all already in ruins. She wanted a tower that could serve as a spectacular vantage point to take in the awesome Grand Canyon vistas.

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But she wanted it to last… so she had it built with a concrete and re-bar support structure on top of which the ‘boys’ had to cull the landscape to find the individual stones from the natural environment to plaster on the exterior. Individual stones would pop out to cast eclectic shadows, and different styles and designs from different tribes made up the exterior.

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The inside was painted by the then well known Indian painter, Fred Kabotie, based on ancient drawings provided by Colter to assist in the decorations.

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It is a fascinating building, and largely intact from the original tower devised by Mary Colter… though one can no longer go onto the roof, and glass window panes have been added for safety reasons.

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If you find yourself at the Grand Canyon – South Rim, don’t miss the Watchtower, as it is a fascinating piece of living history outside a stunning landscape.

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See more Grand Canyon – South Rim photos … here.

Leave room to Run

Posted on February 21, 2018February 21, 2018 by kritterspaw

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While I like the action in this photo, as this buck was spooked. It is not a great photo because it is too constrained. It is instead, a perfect example for what not to do. I have left no room for the buck to run. Since I cut off the action, the viewer is left to wonder what spooked him… or where he is going. It lacks that sense of place.

A better photo that shows a sense of place, and includes the subject (my buck) and his environment – the forest and trees. One where the subject is looking at you, and it’s eyes sharp are a bonus. Having the subject well lit, and not in the shadows help to draw the eye to your subject…. albeit often hard to get everything to line up, particularly when working in the wild.

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Turkeys

Posted on February 18, 2018February 18, 2018 by kritterspaw

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We were just talking about how we would love to see some different animals. It’s not that I don’t love our deer and elk, but it would be nice to expand my wildlife photos. Fortunately these turkey were very accommodating.

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Turkey are generally very elusive. I don’t know how many times we have spotted them and I trekked over the forest trying to chase them down, and never saw them again. Now that I think about it, that sounds pretty silly.

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These turkey (we saw 2), were most likely males. You can see what looks like a tuft of elk hair sticking out of their chest, called a beard, which means they were probably males. Although, oddly, about 10% of females also have the beards. They also had blue cheeks and a dark almost metallic chest which are other indicators of a male.

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Most turkey found in AZ are Merriam turkeys. However, these were the largest turkey’s I have ever seen… most we see are much scrawnier. A Gould turkey is more rare as they became mostly extinct and are only slowly making a comeback in AZ, NM, and Mexico. The Gould turkey is slightly larger than the Merriam turkey, and has white tipped tail feathers, which these have.

Whichever variety they were, I has thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph them.

Elklings

Posted on October 25, 2017 by kritterspaw

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First it was the deer, now the elk. We love the return of the animals. It has been so dry. No rain in the past or foreseeable future. The weather is unpredictably warm. Our plants and animals are confused beyond measure. Bees are swarming late… baby animals are appearing late… and wild birds, normally migrated, are looking for food.

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Winter must be near… but the weather gods aren’t cooperating. Maybe next week. In the meantime, the animals are trying to fill up on whatever food and water they can get their mouths on…. including having elk and deer in the same space.

We’ll enjoy what we get… when we get it.

Fawning over our little Fawn

Posted on October 12, 2017October 12, 2017 by kritterspaw

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We have been very fortunate since living up north that we have seen quite a number of different animals, including those fantastically cute baby elk. But in the time that we have lived here we had yet to see any baby deer (fawn) with it’s spots still on.

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Better late than never. We were very surprised to see this little baby fawn, still with her spots, this late in the year. Normally the babies make their first appearance in June. It’s hard to imagine this little one so young just as we are going into winter.

I am still learning my animal species… but it appeared that this endearing photo of this little fawn’s peck on ‘mom’s’ cheek was not well received. The fawn looks to be a white tail… while the mom dear was a mule deer…. strange bed fellows indeed. The ensuing sequence had this mean mom dear strike the little fawn with it’s foot, causing the fawn to run away in it’s real mom’s direction.

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It seemed the little family was hanging out together, with dad staying close by.

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She is absolutely adorable, such a precious little thing. So vulnerable with all the newness and wonder in her eyes. What a privilege and pleasure to see her. Watching her seemingly experience her ‘firsts’ was a real treat.

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