Northern Goshawk

As I pulled into the drive for lunch Friday I saw this hawk trying to take off with a ground squirrel in its talons. But damn, my camera was not in hand, then it dropped the squirrel and flew to a nearby Ponderosa pine about 60 feet up.

I quickly dug the camera out of my backpack and snapped off about 20 photos trying to zoom in as the goshawk sat waiting for me to leave and return for its prey. I only have 30 minutes for lunch so couldn’t wait for its next move. Yet when I came back out the squirrel and hawk where gone.

Brahma and Zoroaster temples 

I went back to work, and this was my view as I roved out the Bright Angel Point trail. I really love my job and where I work. It’s like every day is a miracle.

The current S1500 bought in South Africa 

Then after looking at these photos I’m convinced I need yet another bigger better camera.

A look from the Lodge

Thursday we experienced a few sprinkles of rain.

I was hanging out on the Lodge veranda after auditing a fellow Ranger’s program.

And thought I’d share an interesting view of the North Rim’s Grand Lodge. On cool evenings, visitors enjoy a roaring fire here.

SWF – So many skies to choose from

Raven soaring over Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah

Lately we’ve been traveling around southern Utah and northern Arizona where the skies often begin with the clearest Southwestern blue.

Looking at Cedar Breaks from Highway 14

Then a few lazy clouds may drift in to add dimension to the sky.

Turkey Vultures soaring over Navajo Lake along Highway 14 near Cedar Breaks

Or a light wisp of clouds just lighten the color.

Kaibab Plateau form Highway 89 North, Arizona

But it is monsoon season so the clouds can quickly build into storm proportions.

Over East Rim from Marble View, Kaibab National Forest

Yet the clouds do bring some of the most magnificent sunsets.

Mike taking photos at Marble View

Offering an unusual backdrop.

Wednesday afternoon from the Grand Lodge

And at Grand Canyon the skies have been mostly gray and laden with a bit of rain here and there. Only to open and scatter allowing rays of sun to highlight sections of the canyon’s walls.

To view more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Mutton stew on the hoof

Mike was thinking of fry bread and mutton stew.

When we went to Cedar Breaks National Monument we’d planned to camp in the adjacent Dixie National Forest. There weren’t very many side roads in this forest, at least not like I’m used to in other National Forests. We pulled off onto a nice little overlook and were looking for someplace level to park…

…when the Brian Head Marshall pulled up and informed us that the sheep were coming through so we’d better park and turn off the noisy diesel.

Mutton stew on the hoof

We stayed in the truck for what seemed like 15 minutes watching the flock flow past then two cowboys, or sheep herders, rode out of the dust at the rear. After this show, and all the sheep poop left behind, we camped at the monument’s campground.

Marble View camping

After Mike took me to dinner at the EDR (Employee Dinning Room) last night we headed out of the park and into the Kaibab National Forest to Marble View overlooking North Canyon, Marble Plateau, Marble Canyon where the Colorado River cuts through and beyond.

We arrived just in time to catch the sunset.

And also a great lightning storm to the south and east.

While the full moon tried to break through the building clouds.

I played with various settings on my camera.

Still don’t really know how the dang thing works.

Even had a tripod.

This morning the sun shone and we went fossil hunting.

There are plenty of fossils to hunt.

We’ll use the crinoids that look like beads on some necklaces.

Then another storm approached.

And Mike finally convinced me to head back to camp where we thought we’d wait it out. But, it seemed to be coming down heavier.

So, we packed it in and headed back through the forest in the rain.

And even saw hail on the ground.

To view more places around the world, or to share a bit of your own, go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

It’s our weekend

Yea, I know, for most of you the weekend is almost over. But for Mike and me our weekend off work together is Monday and Tuesday. I actually have Sunday off too. So we’re taking off as soon as Mike’s off work and heading to our nearby Kaibab National Forest to Marble View, about 40 miles away.

Can you find the fossils?

We’ll watch the full moon rise tonight and after sunrise Monday we’ll be fossil hunting. I’m sure to have some beautiful images to share when we get back.