Play Time at the Park

Today was another day at the park...but with a twist!
Today my Granddaughter met some new playground friends. She  enjoyed taking turns...
...and they were kind enough to share some bread to feed the wildlife....


...along with teaching her to be quiet when you are at the water near fishing poles....

...It was a great day indeed!

Nesting Kites

I noticed something as I was returning from my short walk into the park on Sunday...

I watched as this pair of Kites flew overhead and on past me...

...only to see the second one come in for a landing...




I went out the next day to see if I could pinpoint the nest location in the local pine tree...

...and found...


...these pair of eyes studying me!
White-tailed Kites tend to hover in the air as they hunt for their food. They are about 16"  with a little over 3 foot wingspan. You can find out more about this bird at this link.


You can also find a few more of my photos of this unique bird at this link.
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Fun Fruit Tree Facts - From a Small Person's Perspective...

Sometimes we don't realize small people have a different perspective on life...for example...
...they can stand under a dwarf orange tree without hitting their heads...

...nor do they have to bend down to pick low hanging fruit...

...but on the downside...

...they cannot carry more than two pieces of fruit!!

God's Natural Beauty

I thought I would share a bit of natural beauty on the day of love. I hope you take a moment to just enjoy a few pictures....

The Beauty of the Desert

I could tell people thought I was crazy when people heard I was going to the southwestern desert area...but I think that is because they have never noticed things like the flower cluster on a Red Barberry...

or the color of a Fairy Duster...

...maybe they haven't noticed the color contrast of cacti against the deeply colored canyon walls...



...or the unique growth of the Teddy bear cholla...



...yes...you can find many different things of beauty no matter where you are if you only take some time...




PS-this post doesn't mean that I am not little crazy...but you will have to be the judge of that!

Birds of Southwest Arizona

I recently spent a little time in southwest Arizona with very little time and luck to do some bird-watching.

Here is a collage and slideshow of some of the birds I was able to photograph...



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KofA National Wildlife Refuge

Arizona has many fascinating places to visit but there is one that I enjoy going to anytime I am in the Quartzsite area...KofA.


Kofa is short for "King of Arizona". It got it's name from the King of Arizona mine located in the mountain range.

  You can find many things to do there...including hiking, dry-camping wildlife viewing or photography.


This trip I took a new friend to explore Kofa's Palm Canyon. It was an easy hike with different things to see...and my friend also gave talks along the way to other hikers!



Our hike was a nice way to end the afternoon!

Quartzsite...It Isn't All About the Desert....

It seems that very few people understand the RV Mecca named Quartzsite unless you have been there.

Quartzsite may be a place of sand and cactus...

....but it is also a place of great sunrises....


...and beautiful sunsets!

Pioneer Historical Cemetery of Ehrenberg

I have been to a few old cemeteries before - but this cemetery is a bit different from any others I have seen.

It definitely has a "Wild West" feel to it.

The graves are all covered with stones...

...and the headstones are carved out of wood...if the grave is marked at all.

It is worth the short detour off of I-10 to stop by and take a stroll into the "Wild West"

A Very Special Christmas Day...

This Christmas was the first Christmas that my family has experienced without either of my parents being alive - so I decided to spend my Christmas Day doing something a bit different from all the others and now I can finally share it with you...











...and wish you all a belated Merry Christmas...
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