More Cibola Critters

We revisited the refuge on New Year's Day.  Here are the other Cibola creatures I was able to photograph.

Taken on Christmas Day

Winter, spring, summer or fall? 

Snow Geese

Gambel's Quails

Osprey

Meadowlark (female)

Great Blue Heron

Taken on New Year's Day

Northern Shovelers and Northern Pintails

Kestrel

Northern Pintail 

Killdeer 

Black Phoebe

Camera shy Ganada Geese and Mallards

Say's Phoebe

Peregrine Falcon

I see you!

Great Egret

Logger Shrike

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Christmas Cranes

On Christmas Day, we drove to Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, around 50 miles from where we were camping in Quartzsite.  Sandhill cranes winter here, arriving in October and staying until February.  Seeing them for the first time is one of the highlights of our Arizona adventure.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas from Quartzsite, Arizona! 

Red Feather Lakes Area

August 17 to 19

The Red Feather Lakes area is a sight for sore eyes for sure.  We had been there at least three times but our adventures were limited to Deadman Road for dry camping and Dowdy Lake.  Our itchy feet (and paws) led us to a 20-mile drive on dirt/gravel roads through Roosevelt National Forest.  We also visited West Lake where I caught several medium-sized rainbow trout.

In our endeavor to know the area better, we bought a map by National Geographic.

Unable to get a spot at West Lake which has eight first-come, first-served sites, we dry camped in Deadman Road.

Although much smaller than Dowdy Lake, West Lake is not in any way less picturesque

Quiet time with Daddy

Lake John

August 10 to 12

This year is definitely a learning experience for RV novices that we are.  Next year, we won't leave securing prime spots in highly coveted campgrounds to Lady Luck (because after this season, that will be just plain STUPID).  Reservations will have to be made.

Last weekend, for instance, we were crossing our fingers for a place at Chambers Lake where there are six first-come, first-served sites.  It placed tenth in Gil Folsom's Colorado Campgrounds: The 100 Best and All the Rest in the North Region.  As such, it was not surprising that it was full when we arrived there on Friday afternoon.

So, on to Plan B.  We drove to Walden and followed the signs to Lake John.  After five miles from the turn off, we were contemplating on Plan C, i.e. joining some friends at Delaney Butte, for the site wasn't in sight.  But we bravely carried on and ... eureka!  

The sites by the lake where we camped are free.  Uphill is John Lake Resort where full hookups are available at 30$ per night.  There's also a restaurant, bar and a general store.  I requested Peter to come back here before the season ends. 

Matilda in the middle.  A big group composed of at least four RVs on our right.  On our left was a friendly retired couple escaping the Nevada summer heat - Gilbert and Cely.  I think Gilbert took pity on me after seeing that I had not caught any fish.  He changed my bubble, swivel, leader and hook, showing and patiently explaining each and every step.  

I caught three Rainbow Trout - two around 11 inches each while this one measures 17.5.  I was too excited that I forgot to ask Pete to take a photo when I was reeling it in.

After dinner on Friday night, I took Brontë for a walk.  We saw a deer coming down the hill. 

It was watching us the whole time.  Brontë behaved very well - she was content with sniffing and following the deer with her eyes.

It crossed the street ...

and disappeared in the grass by the lake.

Female Yellow-Headed Blackbird

Mommy Mallard and ducklings

Mommy Barn Swallow

Swallow nests in the toilet.

Swainson's Hawk

They're horsing around!  They decided to have a siesta right in the middle of the road :-)