Illusions

On December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Wether you take the long way around or just jump across.

When you cross the chasm you soon forget you are on the other side.

The old west: reprise

On June 10, 2021May 26, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Another one of those days where it felt like we had walked into a old western movie set. Sunny, dry dusty and Turkey Vultures warming their wings in the morning light.

Common Side-blotched Lizard

On May 25, 2021May 24, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Although they may had been just a bit too large I felt like reaching down and handing this little Side-blotched Lizard my sunglasses as they made their way out from the dark crevasse in the rocks into the bright afternoon sunlight. The Side-blotched lizard is one of the most commonly seen lizards in the drier regions of the western United State. These small lizards are between 4-6 inches in length and coloration can vary greatly.

Loggerhead Shrike

On January 21, 2021January 21, 2021 By Mike and Christy5 Comments

Somewhat hidden away we heard this Loggerhead Shrike singing away while enjoying lunch at a campsite last fall. This Shrike had a wonderful song that was similar yet more melodic than the example on the Cornell website. This bird was quite content and let us photograph it for quite some time. A wonderful experience indeed.

hello sunshine

On January 20, 2021January 18, 2021 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

You can just feel it.

Like a breath of fresh air.

Hello Sunshine.

Greased lightning

On November 23, 2020November 19, 2020 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Greased lightning is the nickname we gave to these little rodents as they shot across the desert landscape foiling many of our attempts at photographing them. The White-tailed Antelope Ground Squirrel is a common to abundant desert dweller across the southwestern United States.

Right at home in this desert landscape the White-tailed Antelope is a diurnal mammal that feeds on a fairly omnivorous diet including seed, plants, arthropods and other insects as well as carrion.

They nest in underground burrows dug into the soft desert soil and use the burrow both as protection from predators and too keep cool during periods of extreme heat and cold.

Take a look at those little critters scurrying around the desert and you may just notice some greased lightning aka the White-tailed Antelope Ground Squirrel.

In sand and sky.

On November 17, 2020November 11, 2020 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Rabbit brush blooming in a sea of sage and sandstone.

On a trail free of footprints.

Solitude found in sand and sky.

Just one thing…

On November 13, 2020November 10, 2020 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

There are days when the distinctions between between plants and rock, rock and animals and earth and sky seemingly disappear and all become just one thing. Lizards take on the colors and textures of the rocks in which they make their homes.