Bearizona Revisited

This is one of those sites where you can go again and again and it is never quite the same.  Each time it seems better and each time I can add a few keepers to my folder.  Plus, this time Tom and I were with my brother, his last photo opportunity before heading back home.  That made it even more special.  We sent him home tired!  A special thanks up front to Greg.  He drove us through the drive-through part of Bearizona while we shot away.  His camera . . . silent even though the animals were especially active.  Now that is a true friend!

Well, it is, sort of, all about the bears.

Leaving the bathing tub.

Did you know that black bears can be brown?

A female had just relieved herself and this big bull came over to check out her out.  He withdrew from his sniff and made this face.  We all cracked up in laughter.

This is Potter, a Dahl sheep. His horns are a full curl and are the size of two 15 pound bowling balls just sitting on top of his head.

This is a mountain goat.

A Big Horn Sheep

Once you are done with the drive through part of Bearizona you can park and take in the rest of the story.  Man oh man!  This 'theme' park as I call it just keeps getting bigger and better.  There is a new gift shop, a new area built for the raptor flight, a new restaurant under construction, more flowers . . . if you have not been there you really should put it on your list.  Let Greg know you are coming.  He is their best tour guide.

Bobcat

Badger

Javalena

Usually the Red Fox are asleep in some remote corner of their enclosure.  Not this morning!  The were both pacing and then stopping close by and posing.  We took full advantage of their behavior.

This is a Swift Fox.  It was also very active.

Peacocks roam the grounds freely.

The new gift shop opened in July.  One of the more interesting things, being built right in the middle of all of the merchandise, is a scale model railroad that reflects the historical importance of the railroad in Williams during the 20's and into the 30's. This exhibit is so detailed and gorgeous that I can hardly wait to go back when it is completed.

For Kati and Cory, my flower loving friends.

If you are looking for a cool (several meanings) place to go up north this would be my recommendation.  If you don't dawdle along the way taking photos you can make it up and back in a day from Phoenix.

Sycamore Trail

If you look up Sycamore Trail you will be amazed at this gem . . . so close, but few of us go there.  Greg took me there in October, 2010 and I wanted very much to go back.  What better way to follow up on the Grand Canyon for my brother (with his new Canon 5DS) than to take him to Sycamore Canyon?  The first three photos were taken on my earlier trip.  I include them in this post because the photos taken yesterday are a bit different.  For one thing, there is not enough water for waterfalls although there is some running water along the canyon.  Even without the waterfalls the rest of the canyon did not disappoint.

Taken October 5th, 2010.

Taken October 5th, 2010.  We did not go to this part of the Canyon this time.

The area is just full of very interesting trees.

For this trip we took along a friend of Greg's named Mark.  What a great guide he turned out to be.  I want to go back again . . . soon!  Hopefully, Mark will be able to take us back.  One reason that this area is not so crowded is that, apparently, not too many people know how nice it is.  Shhhhhh.

These smallish ponds are named the Pomeroy Tanks.

I was so determined to get this shot.  I slid twice, fell twice, cursed twice and hurt my hand.  But, oh the smile on my face . . . 

There are actually two waterfalls in this area.  I did not know that.  They are both dry at this time but one might find water in the spring.  We hiked a bit to the area of the first fall.

We left our canyon hiking and went to an abandoned house and barn.  The site was an 1880's homestead.  At some point it became the property of the Forest Service and they used it for conferences, etc.  It is now abandoned.

This is such a beautiful part of our state.  A special thanks to Steve, Greg, Tom and Mark.  You help make dreams come true.

South Rim with a Newbie

My brother, believe it or not, had never been to the Grand Canyon.  Greg, Tom and I gave him a full day tour.  We started in the middle, rode the bus towards Hermit's Rest, returned to Angel Lodge for lunch and then drove to the Watchtower.  Lots of stops.  Lots more fun.  The Canyon was not quite as hazy as it has been all summer.  But, as the humidity increased during the day, the haze increased right along with it.  Steve loved our 'big ditch'.  Hope you enjoy our photos.

Tom's version.

Carol's version.

If you look away from the Canyon you still get 'eye' treats.

This is just before the Golden Hour.  See below for the later shot.

This trip was the first in which I made it inside the Watchtower.  Check out the story of this fabulous building.  We all tried our best to capture the beauty, the grandeur, the story.  Sorry, but you just have to go and take the narrow steps up to the third level.  Steve tried getting a fisheye shot by holding it up high in the very middle of the first level.  He gets a view all the way to the top.

HA!  Steve got a bit interpretive here.  But, the site can do this to your mind!

First level taken with a 14-24mm Nikkor f/2.8.  Set at 14mm.

This is the second level looking down and then up at the third level.

We had one very full day of shooting.  The Canyon never ceases to both inspire me and frustrate me.  Steve had a good time and got in some serious time with his new Canon 5DS.  That camera is exceedingly impressive and Steve was delighted with the results he got.  Thanks for sharing our trip.