A wash is more obviously a riparian area when water is in it. However, in the desert that doesn’t happen often enough! Actually when the monsoon is truly heavy with rain water, the wash overflows and floods the local road. I love when that happens. The desert needs the rain. But on this day, we are walking in a very dry, sandy wash! It’s an early morning birding adventure. Our goal is to observe birds before the air temperatures climb to a triple digit! Let’s get out of the wash before then!
I love birding with other people and a guide who almost always knows more than the rest of the group. So many human eyeballs looking for birds! The birds were smartly hiding within the tree leaves as the crazy humans looked for them while standing in sun or shade, yeah, when available.
Where are the birds?
When you first look at a wash, such as the one we were at, one can wonder if we will see any bird. Yet we did see! Twenty-eight different species of birds were seen, 106 individual birds! I was fortunate too to have observed a bird new to me, a rufous-winged sparrow! A new bird for my life list!
I loved having access to our guide’s viewing scope to get a great look at a blue grosbeak, lark sparrow and bullock’s oriole. While I have very good binoculars, these observations went to the next level. Plus having the guide’s expertise in knowing exactly what the bird was that we were viewing in the scope.
We had a productive 2 hour morning and then on our way to air-conditioning and cool drinks! Heat exhaustion and dehydration are real concerns with our latest hot weather, so 2 hours was plenty for us. The birds seem to find places to escape the heat and enjoy water features since our monsoon has not provided rain for wildlife. Hope it rains soon!
Final note: we don’t only observe birds. Some of us check out plants. Often we’ll see lizards and on this day there was a king snake crawling across the trail:
Honeybee Canyon Park was only explored halfway today in our Arizona heat despite starting at 6:30am. I joined birders attending the Southeast Arizona Bird Festival on this hike. We did see many different bird species.
You really do walk in the wash of a canyon at Honey Bee Canyon Park. Shaded by the canyon walls, saguaro and mesquite trees we could spot various birds. They too were deep within some branches or on the ground scratching around.
Honey Bee Canyon Park
We identified most birds with the help of our guide and also used iNaturalist app for the lizards we observed. Merlin Bird ID helped with bird songs we heard, when we could not see the bird. Some of us took photos of the habitat, specific plants and animals so we include them on the desktop version of eBird. There are new categories in the media section per checklist. I will be curious if they accept the downy feather of a great horned owl we found trailside. Our guide said great horned owls are definitely here, despite us not seeing one now.
Downy feather from great horned owl
This canyon had a few dams built around 1890. Ranchers wanted to hold some water. One remaining dam now has a walkway through it so we could walk more of the wash. I can imagine the importance of water then, just as it continues to be a concern in the 21st century!
A remaining dam with walkway through.
We observed an uncapped pipe which can be a death trap for animals. The location was forwarded to an individual we know who caps pipes such as this.
Pipe in front needs a cap!Ways to close death pipes.
In the winter, I’ll visit this park again to see petroglyphs and wildlife that time of year. I’m sure to have memories of this hot morning with a nice group of birders.
Nature is happening just on the other side of your window. Why not take note of the life happening out there? Your journal could be a written list of your observations. Or a sketch, a painting, an audio file …however you wish to record your observations. Next year you may compare this year’s observations with that. I suspect some people have numerous years of observations recorded in some fashion and compare a year to another for a location or another.
Or you could step outside! Whether it is your backyard, your front yard, or a favorite local area, you could journal what you observe there. It need not be every day. Maybe once a month. Possibly when you notice plenty of activity at a time. Or a compilation of what you had seen during the month. It’s your decision: when, how, where … I encourage you to enjoy the activity, whatever you choose.
Our backyard has busy days with birds and other wildlife running through. So I simply try to capture the various animals beyond our usual birds. If I was real ambitious I would be sketching some of the plants finally blooming! But, my goal is to combine some personal relaxation time with sketching time and enjoy what critters are in our backyard. Here’s a bit of what happened in July in our backyard:
I thought of adding watercolor paint, but I really don’t want to complicate my goal … especially my relaxed state. This is also my usual tea time … 10:30am … and it’s all for fun! I hope I do look back on this page next July … that would be very cool! Are you taking time for yourself to enjoy moments in nature?
Walk among the ponderosa pine trees. Look toward the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Enjoy a beer at the saloon. A meal or ranger presentation at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim. Drive the Cape Royal Road to Point Imperial or to the end of the road. All now memories, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will never be as it was! It was with great sadness I learned of the initial July 4 wildfire jumping the “control and contain” lines. This had been the practice of handling wildfires. A week later though, a place I was to visit in 2 months, was destroyed. Yes, the plants will grow and the animals will return in time. But the historic structures, the main lodge and cabins built by Mary Colter, are part too of the catastrophic loss.
Lightning strikes happened on the north rim many times and some were allowed to continue to burn. However, with a drop in the Arizona humidity and wind the fire spread so fast. Iconic and historic buildings are gone. Hopefully the animals could seek shelter someplace. No human lives were lost. There was another wildfire further up the road that prompted evacuation from the rim. There is only one road in and out from the rim so fortunately people were evacuated then. The Dragon Bravo fire caused the devastation at the north rim. The park will be closed for the 2025 season. So many people have been displaced or lost their homes and/or jobs with the park now closed.
Ways to donate: there are a couple GoFundMe fundraisers. Grand Canyon Conservancy set up fundraiser called Grand Canyon Disaster Recovery Fund. The money collected by the official non-profit partner of the Grand Canyon National Park cannot provide monies to individuals. It will help with the rebuilding and restoration of the north rim. Loaner equipment and temporary housing may be the first efforts once the wildfire is contained. There will be years of work ahead. Donate what you can, if you can. Thanks. Grand Canyon Disaster Recovery Fund
Here are some photos from our last visit to the north rim of the Grand Canyon:
Lightning strikes happen other years, but not always with conditions to create a wildfire.
Loved looking into the canyon!
Unfortunately the “pioneer cabins” are destroyed in the wildfire.
Wildlife on our last hike on the north rim … hopefully they could move to safety during the fire.
Finding fossils, observing lichen, and walking in areas where few people visit was fun!
Looking into the canyon from Cape Royal.
Only a fraction of the number of people visiting Grand Canyon National Park travel to the north rim. It is a 4 – 5 hour drive from the south rim to the north rim. If you have been lucky enough to visit the north rim, share your memories here. I would love to hear what you enjoyed while at the north rim. Someday the north rim will be open again and I will be there!
Nature, the animals, plants and world around each, is a joy for me. Thus, I spend time whenever I can in nature. Recently I decided I should journal some of the observations made while I am in nature. Maybe even chronicle some locations on a regular basis. Here is my first nature journal from a local park, Agua Caliente in Tucson, Arizona this month. As my nature journal grows, I’ll see what I discover about nature and my art with hopes you’ll find something interesting too!
Colorado is the state I chose to, once again, drive through as I return to Arizona. This time to explore areas outside of Colorado Springs, Salida, Durango and Cortez.
For starters, I had a Harvest Host night at a brewery in downtown Colorado Springs! Great beer, easy walking the downtown area and time spent chatting with a couple from State College, PA. They left early the next morning to complete the Manitou Incline. I wish I was in shape to even think of accomplishing that!
A great day for bicycling in Colorado Springs: started on the New Santa Fe Trail from the E. Woodmen/Edmondson Trailhead. Wow, the altitude and heat made for a shortened bike ride. Another day, I visited the Fountain Creek Nature Center and took a bicycle ride at the Fountain Creek Regional Park. Very nice trail and a well – done nature center … worth a visit. (I saw a red-headed, 2.5 foot long snake… still not sure what it was!)
Fountain Creek Nature Center
Remember: we need bees in our lives!
Red rocks of the Garden of the Gods!
Drove along the Arkansas River and watched people rafting. If I had one more day here, I would have signed up for a rafting trip. Two of my Salida friends were not available, but I did catch up with my friend in Poncha Springs! Great fun for a couple of days. Bicycled on a trail in Salida, cycled right in for lunch, and watched surfers on the “standing wave” downtown. Amazing balance to ride that wave!
Rafting looked like great fun!
Surfing on the “standing wave” in the river is a challenge!
My ride from Poncha Springs to Colorado City was through the San Isabel National Forest. It rained and hailed!! The few vehicles on the road were driving half the normal speed limit. Thank you! Crazy weather! Next day, beautiful!
I stayed at a KOA, Kampgrounds of America, for 2 nights and the day in-between was a “No Drive” day. I got distracted doing too many things in the morning, so by the time I got on my bicycle it was hot. Throwing in a lunch stop was enough motivation to at least do a few miles in this altitude. I’m getting better but the heat does not help me.
Couple of Harvest Host nights … Pagosa Springs area and then Cortez … with a drive through Durango. Interesting to see how this area has changed! We had a bicycle tour across southern Colorado decades ago. We cycled from Cortez to Alamosa. Beautiful country in Colorado and it still is. But the crowds of people, developed land, and overall congestion made me wonder where it was we cycled years ago!
Before arriving in the congestion and construction traffic of Pagosa Springs, I enjoyed a short hike to Treasure Falls.
Treasure Falls, CO
My Harvest Host location was outside of Pagosa Springs at a ranch. I am parked in their pasture with the cows just over there, goats walking toward me, and a couple of killdeer squawking as if I am to close to their nest. A deer is running across the nearby hill. It is silent here, except for the wind that continues to blow and I see a distant plane. Will check out the stars in a few hours as this is the best open sky! Good night!
Canadian wildfire smoke is blowing on the northern Minnesota towns I have been trying to visit once again. In 2023, I was smoked out due to Canadian wildfire smoke. At that time I was literally in the smoky area and drove out of it. My weather app indicated the air quality index for each town I was interested in visiting along with weather alerts. I simply chose to drive south away from the smoke. Traveling away from the wildfire smoke also meant I did not visit the western part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as I hoped. Maybe another time I will return to the area.
Once across the state line into Wisconsin, I stopped at a cheese shop for cheese curds! Now I need to portion out my snacks so I don’t eat it all too quickly! If you are in the Green Bay area, do stop at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary. They have an incredible nature center with so many exhibits. There are trails to hike around fenced areas where some animals are being rehabbed or now provided homes. Some animals had been pets and now cannot be returned to the wild, thus the sanctuary is now their home. I noticed a couple of groups of young children on an adventure with a teacher/leader and also a teenage group with cameras photographing wildflowers. I loved hiking here and seeing what this place offers; fantastic place!
A part of the Nature Center.
Have you been to Door County? I have arrived and am camping in Door County! Often when I mentioned Wisconsin in the past, someone would ask me if I have been to Door County? Wow, 19 communities have truly united in providing a variety of activities: art, theater, a drive-in theater, orchards, wineries, breweries, state park, local parks, open spaces, land trusts, marinas, antique shops, boating, hiking, bicycling, museums, restaurants, dog parks, and you name it, they have it! I think I spent an hour just flipping through their “official destination guide” to map out a plan for my next day visit. (So much to do, so little time. I see they recommend 4 days to visit this county.) I’ll do my best to see the 300 miles of shoreline, lighthouses, marinas and various places in a day.
My jam-packed day in Door County began at Sturgeon Bay. There is a Maritime Museum and tugboats, but I was delighted watching an artist painting a tugboat while his art students looked on … as did I! But the most delicious stop was at Seaquist Orchards. I ate the most delicious slice of cherry pie. Each cherry burst with flavor in my mouth as I watched and learned, on their outdoor video, that they make 20,000 pies a year. They, now 6th generation originally from Sweden, have 1300 acres of cherry orchards. Their first cherry tree was planted in 1912. Tart cherry trees are shaken and collected by machines, whereas the sweet cherries are hand-picked. Informative signage about the family and a huge store to meet all your cherry shopping needs.
Seaquist cherry pie slice, made from scratch … my mouth is watering!
There are numerous places to pull off the road for views of the lake or to travel away from the main route. Each town has its own vibe and some are very walkable, such as Ephraim with all its shops having a view of the waterfront. An off-the-main-road stop I made was at Garrett’s Bay Park. Here was a boat launch for non-motorized watercraft. An interesting sign also about a wooden schooner, the Fleetwing, missing the Death Door’s passage and crashed onto a rocky beach in Garrett Bay. The crew survived and additional gale force winds have left the schooner in pieces. Divers, snorkelers and kayakers can still explore the remnants of the wreckage on the lake bed’s floor.
On the east side of the peninsula, the temperature dropped about 15 degrees. What was a warm morning became a cold 50 degrees with 30 mph winds. I stopped by Cana Island and also Anclam Beach where even the diving Caspian terns were challenged as they dove straight-down into the water to fish. Loved watching them! But alas, my day must come to an end and I return to the campground an hour away, yet still in Door County. The landscape is beautiful and I understand now why people ask if I have been to Door County. Have you been here?
Michigan made my list as the state I would visit on my return trip to Arizona. How is it I missed this state in my past travels; not to happen now! While driving the green and rolling hills of this state, I was reminded of my geology classes about this state’s glacial history. The glaciers truly carved out a spectacular landscape! Also are historical signs and headstones dated from the 1800’s; reminders of the people who traveled via the underground railway to this state. As I looked on, I noticed the state’s apple blossoms coming; fisherman hoping to catch brook trout; white-tailed deer running across the roadway as I drove … while some did not make it; antique shops, fudge shops, wineries, asparagus and fresh fruit stands are available and for sale with cherries hopefully in July. Plenty of open spaces, marinas and parks along the lake to occasionally stop and stretch my legs and relax my eyeballs.
My original plan was to visit Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and drive to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. However ever flexible when on the road and with amazing good luck, I tracked down a college friend! I’m off to Kalamazoo! Besides seeing my friend and her husband, their home was a birder’s paradise. So many feeders to attract the wildlife in their forested backyard! Of course, reminiscing about our college days and discovering how we are each enjoying retirement was fun too. These 2 people are each creative and talented in their area of expertise, glass and wood. Beautiful, and award-winning, pieces have been made. I was thrilled to visit them and see their work as they continue to enjoy retirement.
Heading north: Through Ludington, Manistee, a stop at the largest sequoia tree outside of California, drove past the “Largest cherry tree in Michigan”, Arcadia Marsh, then Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with an alpaca farm Harvest Host location for my night’s stay. If you have a chance, sometime look at the shape of Michigan; a mitten up and down and another mitten side to side. I don’t know the miles of coastline, but I do know there are 129 lighthouses. I stopped at many of them! The most common comment made by locals is just how low the lake’s water happens to be. With the latest major rainstorm and damage done, the interior lakes all seemed high to me.
116 foot tall, biggest Sequoia Outside of California
I stopped at Arcadia Marsh and walked with a woman new to birding. That was fun as we interacted with a group who were observing a short-billed dowitcher. That bird did its best to hide in and out of the cattails, but we all saw it! (I’m always appreciative of fellow birders spotting and sharing a bird’s location!) At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, I skipped the crowd climbing the large dune. I recalled my African Sahara dune walks where it was hard walking up a dune, but so very easy coming down! Instead, I stopped at another spot on the lakeshore to walk and circle away from a designated nesting piping plover area. Ended my day with a restful sleep at an alpaca farm after speaking with my host!
Along Sleeping Bear Lakeshore
An informative sign for a first-time visitor!
Onward. Traverse City struck me like many other places, yet I was surprised within the city limits everyone had a sidewalk! I stopped at another lighthouse: Mission Point Lighthouse and drove north to Charlevoix. While trying to locate the “mushroom houses”, I dead-ended at a great place for lunch. Near a gigantic cement place, birds congregated. I walked that lakeshore looking at mute swans and mergansers. I did eventually locate the historic district where Earl Young’s architecture is standing. In the Charlevoix area, there are 26, of the once 31, homes built by Earl Young from stones and boulders lining the shoreline of northern Michigan. Tours are provided to learn more about this man’s work, but all homes are private with no opportunity to step inside. The “mushroom house”, “Hobbit house” or “gnome house” is a term for the low ceilings, circular floor plan with rooms around a big fireplace and chimney, and curved roofs altogether resembling mushroom caps. I located 4 of the homes on my own.
Finally arrived at Mackinac (pronounced as MACK-in-awe) Island which sits in Lake Huron, another one of the Great Lakes. Taking advantage of a sunny afternoon, a fast ferry ride took me to this island where no cars are allowed. There are residents on this island, within 5 small hamlets on the island, and tons of tourists! An 8 mile road for walking or bicycling circles the island along with numerous hiking trails across the island. Horse-drawn carriages are available too. The majority of people are day visitors with the last ferry leaving at 9PM … and probably a great time to see the sun set at 9:15PM during the 16 minute ferry ride back to the mainland. There’s plenty of history on this island as people visit and learn about the 1780 Fort Mackinac, the various art museums or stay at the 1887 National Historic Landmark, the Grand Hotel. Plenty of bed and breakfasts and other lodging are available too. The easiest part of my visit: eating expensive ice cream. The most challenging: climbing the 207 steps up the Spring Trail to see Arch Rock after hiking miles to get to the trailhead!
Arch Rock on Mackinac Island
The weather remained beautiful for another “no drive” day, so out came my bicycle. I rode portions of the North Western State Trail, North Central State Trail and took a ride into downtown Mackinaw City. The two trails were gravelly for the majority of my riding time and downtown was paved roads. The town as the island welcomes tourists to spend money on all kinds of things! It was a great way to spend my day on this “lower mitten” of Michigan. Next is the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Ohio’s Coastal Trail became my go-to, rainy day activity as I visited places along Lake Erie and wished the rain to stop! In Arizona I would have loved to see all this rain. In Ohio, with my hopes of observing migrating warblers during my 2 days here, I was not a happy camper! Time to be flexible…
The first day I arrived at Magee Marsh; the only wild shore and marsh in northwest Ohio. I walked the entire bird trail. Many people were here also because in 5 days the big birding event will be happening here. Specifically, people from all over the world are also wanting to see the migrating warblers. I had no plans to attend the event, since I had more travel ahead, but hoped to see a new warbler for my life list. Day one, no new bird.
Day two: pouring rain last night and expectation of rain all this day. As it was raining in the morning, I chose breakfast with coffee at a local restaurant … no sense trying to battle the cold and wind to brew my own coffee! If you’re in Perrysburg, Ohio, stop in Hang Over Easy for breakfast or lunch … good food!
I decided to drive east, then backtrack west along Lake Erie’s coastline to return to Magee’s Marsh. White-caps were on the lake. Cold, blustery wind and probably the fastest sight-seeing I had ever done. First, Marblehead Lighthouse, since 1822, … impressive building, but closed. I learned it is one of Lake Erie’s most – photographed landmarks. During the summer you can climb the 77 steps to its top for a good view of the lake and Marblehead Peninsula.
Marblehead, OH lighthouse
Second, Great Egret Marsh Nature Preserve. I discover it is a Nature Conservancy property. I walked the overgrown 1.2 mile trail. No one thinks winter is over here to mow it quite yet. I saw some birds … egrets, herons and strong fliers coping with the rain and wind.
Great Egret Marsh Preserve
Third, restored Port Clinton’s historic lighthouse from 1896, active for 30 years and decommissioned in 1952. It is the shortest lighthouse, 26 feet, in Ohio. If you are in the area, their annual celebration is August 16, 2025.
Port Clinton, Ohio lighthouse
Finally Magee Marsh! I stopped at the visitor center. There are excellent displays and worth a stop. By the time I walked a section of the bird trail, it stopped raining!! For about an hour, on a half mile section, here are some of the birds I saw. Unfortunately, no new birds for me!
Black-and-white warbler
Blue-headed vireo
Northern parula
Next day I drove to Presque Isle., further east on the Lake Erie coastline. A couple I met, at the campground I stayed, told me of a coffee-chocolate place, Romolo’s Chocolates. Of course, a hot mocha hit the spot after another day’s driving in the wind and rain. (I mention wind because with a van I feel every gust!) Anyway, plenty of chocolate to choose at this one-and-only place. A guy in the parking lot jokingly asked if I drove all the way from Arizona to this chocolate place in Erie, Pennsylvania … no, but almost! He kindly gave me a map of Presque Isle and I headed off in the wind and rain! In between raindrops, I hopped out to see what birds were around. Not many! Hardy red-breasted mergansers for the most part.
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center was my next stop since I usually have good weather and skip stopping here. But with the lousy weather, it was good to step indoors and see their displays. Really nice place and I walked up their tower which allows you to look out over Lake Erie from this part of its coast. No warblers are going through here, except for yellow warblers and yellow-rumped warblers. So many warblers are migrating on the western coastline of Ohio, not here. However, many terns, mergansers and diving birds are here.
North East, Pennsylvania has about 14 wineries in the area. My Harvest Host location for the night was at one. Apparently there is a microclimate that does well for growing grape vines … who knew? And now you know!
Wisconsin was on my list of states to visit friends last year. However, those of you who follow my blog may recall my altered itinerary last year after my tornado experience in Oklahoma. And then later in that trip, I got a concussion! Memories …geez …. so last year, after thousands of driving miles, I headed straight to Arizona bypassing visiting WI friends. But here I am! Now enjoying nice weather, seeing sights around the state in the company of friends. Of course, I enjoyed Wisconsin cheese curds, yum!
In the LaCrosse area, we visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Seventy acres of land gifted for a Marian shrine. For historical info, click here. I learned the Marian devotion is specifically to express love for the “ever-Virgin Mary”. As a spiritual person, I am respectful in learning about other religions. Here there is a Memorial to the Unborn, The Shrine Church and an amazingly beautiful Votive Candle Chapel.
Votive Candle Chapel
Our Lady Guadalupe
As I drove across the state, I stopped in Wisconsin Dells. It’s been decades since I had been to this glacially – carved area. I remember it being a very beautiful area. It still is, but now it is a resort town with waterparks, plenty of tourists and still glacially – carved areas to see!
Onward … to Madison area. There I stopped at Pheasant Branch Conservancy which has numerous trails. I’ll return some time to walk more of the trails. Then my favorite place, Goose Pond Sanctuary, although you’re walking along a road. Miles away is the Wildlife Observation Boardwalk, a new stop for me and only a few birds. Being a member with The Nature Conservancy, I decide to check out one more property: Waukesha Wetlands State Natural Area. Some of this land was donated to The Nature Conservancy by a woman. Thank you! Protecting wetlands is so important; water will flow through this watershed area to WI homes.
Protecting a wetland
Then to Milwaukee area where we stopped at the Milwaukee Art Museum. My friends specifically wanted me to see the Burke Brise Soleil. The “wings” open and close with the museum hours. Santiago Calatrava is the Spanish architect/creator of “the wings” which are a “complex mechanical work of art”. Absolutely amazing to see this! The moveable sunscreen has a 217 foot wingspan. The seventy-two steel fins weigh 90 tons. Unfortunately we missed their flap at noon and learned they are illuminated from sundown till closing at 10pm. All must be quite a sight!
Burke Brise Soleil … “wings” at Milwaukee Art Museum
From the inside of the Milwaukee Art Museum looking upward
