Tag: adventures outdoors

Had to Evacuate Tunnel Fire AZ

Had to Evacuate Tunnel Fire AZ

Had to Evacuate Tunnel Fire AZ, I am jumping ahead on my blog post to what happened last week. Let me tell you, my nerves were on high alert as we were camping in the Coconino Mountains when all of a sudden smoke is gaining ground just south of us.

Let me start at the beginning. We have been on the road for 8 months now and I have a lot of photos still to go through from back in February. But I am jumping ahead to just last week on April 19th, we decided to head to some BLM land, (Bureau of Land Management), which is free camping just north of Flagstaff AZ, we were camping south of Flagstaff the week before.

Arizona and Texas are very dry, we have not seen rain for almost 3 months on this journey. The dust is so bad everywhere in the south when the wind blows and we decided to head north to get away from it. Even though the weather warned of high winds on this particular day. But the BLM land was only 1 1/2 hour drive north, so we figured we could get there before the winds picked up to bad.

This photo below is our drive right before the Coconino Mountains, we will be stopping just on the other side. As we pass the mountains on the left, we noticed some smoke near the mountain. I thought that can’t be good to have any kind of smoke on such a windy day.

We found a campsite not to far from the main road, one other camper was on that road as well. A beautiful spot with tall Pondarosa pine trees and lots of dry grass. There is a lot of burnt trees there already I noticed, as if a fire had gone through there not to long ago.

Had to Evacuate Coconino Tunnel Fire AZ

We set up camp and I made some lunch, as we were eating a strange looking bird landed on our jeep, it was really interested in the red brake lights on top and the red can on top of the jeep.

I have no idea what kind of bird this is, if any one does let me know.

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Then my husband looked out the door and said, ” Is that dust or smoke?”. I went outside and I said this is smoke. Our phone’s started to alert of danger, I quick got into the jeep and drove down to the other campers to see what they might know of the situation. They said the fire from way over there by the west mountains had spread and it just jumped the road to where we are and they were leaving.

So I quickly went back to the RV and said we need to go now. We got to the main road and the police were already helping people to leave on the west side of the road and were blocking traffic from going south.

The map below shows a red dot, that is where we are camping and the pink and green area is the fire spreading across that area.

The winds are now gusting over 50 miles an hour, which is not safe to drive a high profile vehicle in. So I found a spot about 30 min north of the fire to stop and wait out the wind before going any farther. This is where I took the photos from shown below.

Had to Evacuate Coconino Tunnel Fire AZ

They ended up blocking traffic right where we were parked at and we ended up staying there all night. Exhausted and stressed to say the least, 2 other campers stayed the night there as well.

Had to Evacuate Coconino Tunnel Fire AZ

I looked out the window a lot that night, checking to see that the fire did not start to spread north towards us. By morning the smoke was still heavy across the landscape and the fire as of today has burned over 20,000 acres. I have not heard the source of this fire yet.

This could be a bad year for fires, we all need to take care and be mindful of our environment around us. One gentleman we talked to that lives around here said, ” This place used to be paradise when he was growing up here and now it is a rat race”.

Had to Evacuate Coconino Tunnel Fire AZ

Had to Evacuate Tunnel Fire AZ

by Sandra J

Water Gives Life

Water Gives Life

Water Gives Life, as winter disappears and the spring rains start to come back to quench the thirst of this earth. Those standing alone who thirst for this water of life will come back to life in full beauty, that which is given to everything under the Sun as is designed.

Video of Black Swans in a Pond Below or click Here, Swans

Water Gives Life

And the earth she became chaos and vacancy and darkness over the surfaces of the abyss.

And the
Spirit of God moved upon
the face of the waters.

Waters is an idiomatic expression for our spiritual nature

Water Gives Life

Water Gives Life, Nature/Creation speaks to us everyday.

He gives us life in the Garden of Trees

The One who moves over the face of waters In the Garden of Trees

Will never destroy us.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of the Father, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Black Swans to Music, Nature at its Best #shorts

Water Gives Life

by Sandra J

New Bird to the List

New Bird to the List

New Bird to the List, this is a new bird I have never seen in this first photo. It was at this park in Louisiana high in the trees. It stayed pretty far away from us so I could only see a silhouette of this bird except for this one photo.

It is called a Black Crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night-Herons are stocky birds compared to many of their long-limbed heron relatives. They’re most active at night or at dusk, when you may see their ghostly forms flapping out from daytime roosts to forage in wetlands.

New Bird to the List

Another beautiful heron is the Green Heron shown below. There are about 60 different species of herons.

You can always spot some Egret in wetlands. We were to early to see their mating plumage but still pretty birds.

Great Blue Heron

New Bird to the List

New Bird to the List

by Sandra J

Specular Highlight

Specular Highlight

Specular Highlight The specular highlight appears on shiny objects. It normally appears on a mirror-like surface. Its appearance is often found on the top of a rounded surface. The incident light hits the object and creates the specular highlight and the light is reflected off the object toward the viewers eye.

Also called catch lights in photography, Without catch lights, “light in the eye” viewers perceive the eye (and thus the bird) to be lifeless.

Specular Highlight

It takes patience and sunlight, but I like to try and photograph a bird with that touch of catch light on the eye. I think it brightens the eye, even though this Black Swan has such bright eyes even without the spec of light.

Specular Highlight

Specular Highlight

by Sandra J

Louisiana Wet Lands

Louisiana Wet Lands

Louisiana Wet Lands, we stopped at a beautiful little park in southern Louisiana back in January. This campground only had 8 campsites and no one was there when we arrived. So we had the whole park to ourselves for a couple of days.

Video below of the Flight of the Snow Goose, thousands of geese looking from ground level to above the geese. Link click Here; Flight of the Snow Goose

Louisiana Wet Lands

I always look for Wildlife Refuge locations everywhere we go, because they are usually wet lands and home for a lot of wildlife depending on the time of year. So, we found this one here shown above. We drove clear out to the east side of the park and not one bird we found anywhere.

The green icon is the park we were at and the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge in dark green below it.

I thought that maybe we were a little early to see birds migrating through in January. The photo below is the farmland around the campground. It is close to Lake Charles Louisiana.

A couple days later some folks came to camp that were from the area and we got to talking about birding and the wet lands. Come to find out, we were on the wrong side of the wet lands. The gentlemen told us where to go to get to the hot spot and we went there the next day.

Louisiana Wet Lands

Below is part of the wet lands to this refuge and we were not disappointed on what we found. So many birds and new birds I had never heard of.

Louisiana Wet Lands

Talking to folks that live in the area is the best way to get to know some wonderful people and to learn all about their state. This area was hit pretty hard by 2 hurricanes over the last couple of years and when we drove into Lake Charles you could still see all the damage.

Folks were still fighting with their insurance company’s on getting their roofs rebuilt. There was a lot of blue tarps on 80% of the homes waiting to get the shingles or metal roofs put on. Plus they just have a shortage of workers to get it done as well. But the folks were in good spirits and so helpful to us as we were asking questions and enjoying their parks.

As we are chasing 70 degree weather this year, the temperatures stayed in the 50’s f. for the most part and 30’s at night. We did have a few campfires as the park also provided the wood at each campsite.

This is the park where I photographed my first sighting of the Ibis and this bird below is called the white faced Ibis, even though it does not have a white face. It is very colorful with the sunlight shinning on it.

The Flight of the Snow Goose,Thousands of Snow Geese, Hear Them Take Off, LAST VIDEO, from Louisiana

Louisiana Wet Lands

by Sandra J

Desert Animals

Desert Animals

Desert Animals, I thought this little guy in the first photos was a chipmunk, but it is actually a squirrel called the Antelope Squirrel. One of the smaller ones in the species. Found in the desert regions.

Despite the hot desert weather, you will often see these squirrels dashing about in the middle of the day. They will stay out in the heat collecting food until their body reaches its maximum temperature and then they will rest in the shade until that temperature has lowered. Their tail is often held over their head like an umbrella helping to shade their bodies.

Desert Animals

You will see a lot of these in southern Texas, the Javelina’s. These were wondering around the campground in the early mornings or evening right by the tents people were sleeping in.

Desert Animals

Rock squirrels, below, are one of the largest members of the Scuridae family, growing to nearly a foot in length, not including their long, bushy tails which are nearly as long as their bodies.

Some of the Texas ranches have a variety of exotic deer. Like the two below. You will see them quite often as you drive through the state.

Desert Animals

Desert Animals

by Sandra J

Is it a Mule Deer

Is it a Mule Deer

Is it a Mule Deer , Well I am not sure now. I thought this first photo was a mule deer because it is so much smaller then the white tailed deer up north and the ears are so huge. Video below or click this Link Here, Mule Deer

Is it a Mule Deer
Is it a Mule Deer

As I was researching the difference between the Mule deer and the white tailed deer. It said the ears are placed farther apart on the Mule deer. The two photos below shows the difference in the ears placement.

The left photo is the new deer I photographed and the right photo is a White Tailed deer from up north. I am not sure, but the photo on the right was taken clear up by Lake Superior and the photo on the left was taken near the Mexican border in the south. Almost worlds apart for them.

Is it a Mule Deer
Mule Deer #shorts, My What Big Ears You Have.  Wild Life Never Ceases to Amaze Me

Is it a Mule Deer

by Sandra J

Come Sit With Me

Come Sit With Me

Come Sit With Me , look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look deep enough, we will talk, you and I, heart to heart.

In the quiet of the morning, I can see the world around me.

Come Sit With Me
Come Sit With Me

Come Sit With Me

by Sandra J

The Desert Quails

The Desert Quails

The Desert Quails, if you want to see quails the desert is the place to go. I have been seeing two main species. The Scale Quail and the Gambles Quail.

This first photo is the Scale Quail and I am guessing it is named that because their feathers look like scales. Video below or click on Link Here; Desert Quail and Giant Squirrel

The Desert Quails

The Gambel’s quail is named in honor of William Gambel, a 19th-century naturalist  and explorer of the Southwestern United States.

The Desert Quails
The Desert Quails
The Desert Quails
Pretty Birds and Giant Squirrel #shorts, Showing the Largest Squirrel Called a Rock Squirrel

Have a Wonderful Weekend

The Desert Quails

by Sandra J

The Turkey Vulture

The Turkey Vulture

The Turkey Vulture, If you’ve gone looking for raptors on a clear day, your heart has probably leaped at the sight of a large, soaring bird in the distance– perhaps an eagle or osprey.

But if it’s soaring with its wings raised in a V and making wobbly circles, it’s likely a Turkey Vulture. These birds ride thermals in the sky and use their keen sense of smell to find fresh carcasses. They are a consummate scavenger, cleaning up the countryside one bite of their sharply hooked bill at a time, and never mussing a feather on their bald heads.

The Turkey Vulture

 Vultures lack feathers on their heads so that they can more easily keep themselves clean when eating. 

The Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vultures #shorts, They are Not the Prettiest Birds, But they Do Play a Vital Roll in Nature

The Turkey Vulture

by Sandra J

Who’s Feathers Are These

Who’s Feathers Are These

Who’s Feathers Are These, they are the back of a Peacock Bird, these are the most colorful birds and I have not seen one in awhile. But I sure love looking at them.

Who's Feathers Are These

When I was very young on my parents farm we had a few of these beautiful birds. When his tail feathers fell out we collected them and put them in a large vase. I wish I still had those feathers, I don’t know what ever happened to them.

Who's Feathers Are These
Who's Feathers Are These
Who's Feathers Are These

Who’s Feathers Are These

by Sandra J

Some Unique Animals Along the Route

Some Unique Animals Along the Route

Some Unique Animals Along the Route, well I love all animals not just birds and we stumbled apon a Mercantile store in the desert that provided everything you need for animals, like feed and farming equipment. But they also had an assortment of beautiful animals that folks can see up close.

They are all well taken care off also. Plenty of fresh green hay and water here in the desert.

Some Unique Animals Along the Route
Some Unique Animals Along the Route

The next two photos below I will let you guess what it is and who it belongs to. I will show those photos tomorrow.

This of course is a white Camel, very friendly and look very healthy.

Some Unique Animals Along the Route

Lots of goats, they are always fun to see along with baby goats.

Some Unique Animals Along the Route

by Sandra J

In the Garden of Trees

In the Garden of Trees

In the Garden of Trees is where you will find the spring bees. Nature is waking up after its long winters nap, a time to see bees working their magic as they pollinate the earth going from tree to tree. Video Link to see pollen falling from all these bees, Link Here; In the Garden of Trees

We were camping under a tree and one morning I woke up and went outside and could hear a loud humming noise but could not see anything. Until I looked very closely at the tree hanging over me, it was filled with bees. Video below of pollen falling from the bees in trees or click on this link here; In the Garden of Tree

In the Garden of Trees

I got my camera out and to my eyes surprise, through the morning light, a glow appeared around the bees and pollen was falling ever so lightly all around me.

In the Garden of Trees by Sandra J, The Purpose of Life, Spring is When Nature Wakes Up, Pollination
bumble bee
In the Garden of Trees
bumble bee
In the Garden of Trees
Watch this video on YouTube.
Sandra J's Photography

In the Garden of Trees

by Sandra J

The White Ibis

The White Ibis

The White Ibis When we left the state of Mississippi, I found a small campground in southern Louisiana that was our next stop. On this trip we are doing this year, we try not to travel more than 3 hours on travel day. That way we don’t get so tired when we get to the next spot.

We have been meeting so many nice people this year, everyone is very friendly at the campgrounds, it is such a joy to visit with folks. Plus getting to know some of the campers that live in the areas we are visiting has been so helpful with finding the hot spots for birding and they also share where the good restaurants are and sightseeing locations.

That is what happened here in Louisiana, I was looking on google maps around the area we are camping in and found a National Wildlife Refuge, I am always looking for these. So off we went traveling on a road I found that goes to this park. Well, there was not one bird there and this is back in January, so I thought maybe we were to early to see birds in migration here.

Two days later we got to visiting with some other folks that just pulled into the campground and they were from the area. So, we told them about our lack of birds found at their wildlife refuge. They proceeded to tell us that we were at the wrong side of it. He gave us directions to a road that was very hard to see on the map and we headed out there the next day.

The White Ibis

What a surprise for us, this is where I got to see the Ibis for the first time and lots of them. Not only this strange looking bird, but as we entered the Wildlife Refuge, my heart skipped a beat I think, there are so many birds here, many that I have never heard of and the best part is the flock of snow geese we came upon out in a field. I will be showing those photos soon.

As we continue this journey around America, I am so thankful for the people that we are meeting. The kindness from others is a wonderful thing to experience and it gives hope that this world is still a beautiful place.

The White Ibis

So much has happened over the last couple of years for everyone. But for me the one constant in my life and in my heart is the faith that I have in our Father and His children.

Sometimes we need to just turn off the news, Go Outside and Breathe, you were not meant to carry the burdens of the whole world.

The White Ibis

Have a Wonderful Weekend

The White Ibis

by Sandra J

The Northern Shoveler

The Northern Shoveler

The Northern Shoveler, I put one photo of this bird on a few weeks ago and I got to see them again last week at a small swampy kind of lake where they love to hang out. Now it says the males have an iridescent green color on their necks this time of year. But this one here looked purple to blueish color in the sun.

Either way it is very colorful this time of year.

The Northern Shoveler

One of these photos below is a digital painting and the other is a regular photo. It is really hard to tell the difference unless you zoom in, but the one on the left is digital oil painting. Gives it softer lines, I like using that feature on certain photos when I can.

The Northern Shoveler

The Northern Shoveler

by Sandra J

Desert Surprises

Desert Surprises

Desert Surprises, it has been very dry in the desert this past month, I was beginning to think we were to early to see any flowers on this trip. But, we walked down to the Rio Grande river one morning right at sunrise and this lone yellow flower was blooming right in the middle of rocks and dry dirt.

A lovely surprise for sure.

Desert Surprises

Along with this one growing at the base of more rocks.

Even the cactus has just a touch of color with their red pointy needles.

Desert Surprises

Now this plant below, I believe is in the Agave family, you definitely would not want to trip and fall on one of these. Those things do not bend at all. They are as hard as a rock.

Desert Surprises

Sandra J

The Vermillion Flycatcher

The Vermillion Flycatcher

The Vermillion Flycatcher, I had heard about this bird when we were in Louisiana. A fellow birder told me about this brilliant red bird, but he said we were to early to see it. When I got back to the RV, I had to look it up and thought how colorful this little bird is.

Well, when we got to southern Texas to Big Bend National park, to my surprise, they were all over the place. Anywhere there was water you could see one of these beautiful birds perched on the small branches over water. They swoop down and catch a bug and go back to their branch.

This makes 128 birds photographed.

The Vermillion Flycatcher
The Vermillion Flycatcher

The Vermillion Flycatcher

by Sandra J

Look at Everything

Look at Everything

“Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time:

Look at Everything

The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.

Look at Everything

Look at Everything

Sandra J

Spring Is Coming Soon

Spring Is Coming Soon

Spring Is Coming Soon, the left overs of last fall are still intact around the country side. But the seeds are holding strong after the long winter and soon will be drifting off into the spring winds and rain to replant and grow into new flowers and lush green grasses.

That is always a refreshing time of year, when I can smell the green grass after a rain. We have been traveling in the south all winter and everything is brown and very dry where we have been, just no snow is all. We did not go far enough south to enjoy winter flowers and green grass.

Spring Is Coming Soon
Spring Is Coming Soon

Spring Is Coming Soon

by Sandra J

Artwork In Nature

Artwork In Nature

Artwork In Nature, this morning there is a bit of humidity outdoors and on my way back from my early morning walk, the sun started to makes its way through the trees and light up all the different cob webs hanging in the forest next to the path.

I did not even notice them until the sun touched them all and boy there is lot of them. One would not want to walk in the forest on a cloudy day. Good thing there are paths everywhere to walk on.

Artwork In Nature

Nonetheless, they are very artistically made by the small creatures of the woods.

Artwork In Nature

Now this little guy may look like a spider, but it is actually a crab on the beach.

Artwork In Nature

by Sandra J

Lots of New Things to See

Lots of New Things to See

Lots of New Things to See, as you may know we have been trying to chase 70 degree weather this winter. Our first time doing this and so far it has been working pretty well. It has been into the freezing temps at night here and there and our water pump froze once on the RV, but husband is really good at fixing anything. He had it back and running in no time.

My bird count has been going up really fast, my last entry into the log book was 124 birds. But I still have more birds to look up because I just don’t know what they are. I believe I will go get a bird identification book. We have been in many places with no internet, so the book would be handy.

Below is a preview video of where we have been. I do have a You Tube channel, because I like to document all that we see with video as well as photos and share them both with all of you. What we see is just temporary, it becomes history the minute I snap a photo.

Eastern Towhee

Road Runner

Scorpion

Hawk, but I don’t know what kind yet. If any one knows let me know and I will add it to my list.

Chasing 70 Deg Weather in RV 2022, Crossing America, New Nature and Wildlife Photography by Sandra J

The world is changing fast, but nature is alive and well, we must not trade it for the things of man. Humans tend to destroy but nature will rebuild when it is left alone, nature teaches us how to survive in our creators world.

Sandra J

The Last Hour

The Last Hour

The Last Hour before sunset is referred to the Golden Hour. The golden hour is known for producing beautiful natural light that is easy to work with. “It’s hard to overexpose or underexpose parts of an image, because the light is very even and has a beautiful golden hue,”

windmill at sunset
The Last Hour
The Last Hour

The Last Hour

by Sandra J

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

Oh What a Beautiful Morning, some of my favorite dock photos.

This first one is on the gulf coast.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

This little dock on the left is on the Mississippi River

dock reflections

And these last two are at one of my favorite lakes in Iowa. Great places to sit and dangle your feet over the edge and watch the sun come up.

dock on a lake
docks

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

by Sandra J

Rocky Shoreline and Rainbow

Rocky Shoreline and Rainbow

Rocky Shoreline and Rainbow, I was photographing the sunrise on this day facing east and when I turned around to look at what was behind me I found a different kind of light. It was an off white hue and I actually did not even see the rainbow until I looked at the photo later.

I love that about photography, the little surprises you see in your own photos.

Rocky Shoreline and Rainbow
Rocky Shoreline and Rainbow

Rocky Shoreline and Rainbow

by Sandra J

Dramatic Sunrise Colors

Dramatic Sunrise Colors

Dramatic Sunrise Colors, The best sunrises and sunsets seem to be associated with middle to high clouds rather than lower level clouds.

The more clouds the better chance of seeing some vibrant colors of orange and yellow at sunrise like these photos below.

Dramatic Sunrise Colors
Dramatic Sunrise Colors

Have a Great Weekend

I may not have internet yet, I scheduled this post a couple of weeks ago just in case. If I have not responded to any comments that is why. I will be moving from this area on the 12th and will have internet again by then. 🙂 thank you

Dramatic Sunrise Colors

by Sandra J

New Tree to Photograph

New Tree to Photograph

New Tree to Photograph, this is a new tree for me to photograph. They are Cyprus trees and are very easy to identify because of how they start growing and the base of the trunk.

It can reach 130 feet tall, developing prominent roots or “knees” above the ground. The bald cypress is usually found in swampy areas and along riverbanks. These locations provide the trees with the plentiful water they need to thrive and with the wet conditions necessary for reproduction.

All the little stumps you see are what they call knees.

New Tree to Photograph

In the wild, cypress trees play a very important role in soaking up floodwaters and preventing soil erosion.  Environmentalist love them for their ability to trap pollutants. Frogs, toads, and salamanders prefer cypress swamps for breeding grounds. Wood ducks nest in hollow trunks and catfish spawn in submerged hollow logs, while bees, wood ducks, barrel owls and raptors nest in the treetops.

New Tree to Photograph

Bald cypresses are slow-growing trees that can live to be 600 years old.

New Tree to Photograph

by Sandra J

Royal Tern Is Holding its Ground

Royal Tern Is Holding its Ground

Royal Tern Is Holding its Ground, Mr. Pelican is coming in with the intention of taking the pole the Royal Tern is on. But Tern is not budging and appears to be yelling at the big boy coming in for a landing to get his own pole. But, , ,

Royal Tern Is Holding its Ground

Mr. Pelican takes what ever pole he wants, as you can tell in the photo the lighter colored pole is where the Tern was standing and now the Pelican has it. He did take the pole and Tern had to move up to the next one. there is a stern look from the Tern towards the Pelican.

Royal Tern Is Holding its Ground

Then they both relax and quit staring at each other and just enjoy the sunshine together.

Royal Tern Is Holding its Ground

by Sandra J