LEAPIN' LIZARDS!

I was recently in Joshua Tree and Death Valley with a National Parks Conservation group. One of my clients, Mike Crowley (thanks Mike!), took some great pictures of area lizards. They are so cool! Thought I'd share a little info on all of them.

                         WESTERN FENCE LIZARD

This common lizard will most likely be seen in the Mohaje Desert

or in the back yards of California residents. Otherwise known as 

the "Blue Belly" because of its distinctive coloring.

COMMON SIDE-BLOTCHED LIZARD

The male of this species has blue flecks that cover their backs and tails. 

Their sides can very, either orange or yellow.  Mating behavior indicates this color.

                                                                                                        CHUCKWALLA                                   

        

 JUVENILE CHUCKWALLA 

The Chuckwalla is part of the Iguana family. These Chuckwallas were found 

in the Mohaje but they can also be found in the Sonoran. They habitat preferences include

lava flows and creosote bush.

                         NORTHERN DESERT IGUANA
During breeding season the Iguana's side become pink, in both
sexes. Only one clutch of eggs is laid each year. The tail is unusually
long as it is one and half times the length of its body.

HORNED LIZARD

This lizard is also known as a Horny Toad or Horned Frog. 

These fascinating creatures, when attacked, will shoot blood from their eyes.

Ants makes up the majority of their diets.

I travel back to this area tomorrow for a personal trip with friends. I can't wait to share the desert's diversity with them. When I return I will share more details about this fascinating part of the desert.

WINTER WONDERLAND

My trips into Yellowstone totaled five this winter! So much beauty. Two of the trips were with National Geographic and one of those was a photography based trip. Some of my clients have been kind enough to share their photos from that trip (and others). I love the photography adventures because I get to work on my skills as well!

Here are some highlights...

THE CURIOUS PINE MARTEN

This adorable weasel's looks deceive it's great hunting skills. They often catch prey much larger than itself. Robert Caddy got these pics.

And these are by Glen Mai.

So cool to see how each photographer captured him.


WINTER SOLACE
Great shots by Bill McNeece that really show off this frigid wonderland.

BISON

Robert Caddy's bison shot is too cool!

                    

Tim Lewis wasn't on the photography trip but he also has an eye for "shooting" bison.

I am so fortunate to guide so many fun, interesting and talented individuals. Here is a group shot of from one of this year's trips. What a crew!                        

MY RECENT PICS

The Winterkeeper at Canyon is responsible for keeping the roofs of various buildings in the area from collapsing under the tremendous amount of snow the park gets each year. He and a co-worker are seen below clearing the roof that houses a restaurant and gift shop. He's been doing this gig for 40+ years! The snow on the roof is over 6ft high. They cut the snow into blocks with saws and then push the incredibly heavy snow off the roof. With 300-400 inches of snow so far this winter the entire side of this building disappears behind the wall of removed snow, only the roofline is visible!

Beehive Geyser's eruption is more erratic and higher than Old Faithful's. Intervals between eruption can be up to more than 24 hours and it consistently spouts to 200 feet, compared to Old Faithfuls whose average is 145 feet. As we walked by we were surprised by its eruption! Lucky to catch it but not so lucky to be drenched by it in the middle of winter. An incredible sight though, even when soaked.

Winter in Yellowstone is always magical. The ice rink at Snow Lodge in Old Faithful simply magnifies this allure. Don't you expect to see Anna and Elsa gliding along this "frozen" scape?

And so after five trips this winter season to our country's first National Park I had my last ski and bid one of my favorite places in the world adieu!

GREAT TO BE BACK!

Winter in Yellowstone

After a nice break and time back in Livingston, MT I've had two trips into the snowy wonderland of Yellowstone National Park. It is truly one of the most beautiful winter getaways. I love sharing the Narnia-like landscape with those who have never ventured into the park during these frosty months. 

I've have to lead this entry with the highlight so far this season! It is rare to see a wolf close up and even more unlikely that you will see them just below the Mammoth Terraces. This incredible sight was doubled in drama because it was the Canyon Alpha Female we encountered. She is estimated to be 11 years old. The average life expectancy of a Yellowstone wolf is 5 years! I am shocked that I was able to capture her on video. I feel so fortunate that I saw her with clients and can share the experience with you

My first trip out this winter had me celebrating Christmas with all folks from warm regions of the states, so what a change this was for them. The snowpack was great and added to the magic of the surroundings. We were so lucky to see many otter and moose. If anyone from this trip has pictures of the moose or otters please send them to me and I will add to the blog!

Canary Spring on the Mammoth Terraces.


I was getting pretty artsy fartsy with this pic. This is Hoarfrost, which formed on a fence near Palette Hot Springs.


Castle Geyser erupting as we tour the Old Faithful Geyser Basin. Even though I shot this in color it looks black and white except for the yellow of the sun and its reflection. A haunting and somewhat eerie shot, but gorgeous!


Usually the snow around the Old Faithful geyser basin are clear enough to walk around. On my last trip the snow cover was so great that we had to snowshoe. It was a bit daunting because at times it was hard to tell where the boardwalks were. But we had stretches of the basin all to ourselves, and the snow accumulation created a fantastic views.

From me and my favorite ghost tree, we say enjoy the winter while you've got it!

THE GRAND CIRCLE PART TWO

NAVAJO RESERVATION, HORSESHOE BEND AND ZION

After the Grand Canyon we headed north through the Navajo Reservation. I am always fascinated by the evidence of ancient societies. Below are pictographs from 100-900 years old.

Horseshoe Bend was our next stop. It is located just downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, directly above the Colorado River. 

Here I stand at the overlook. This is another fabulous shot shared by Brynne Harold. The next day my clients were rafting on the river below. Great view from above or below.

Zion in the fall is exquisite. As the leaves change colors it adds to the already dramatic color of the rock. The shots below are on The Emerald Pools trail. It is one of the most popular trails in the park because the pay off in regards to beauty compared to the ease of the hike is great.

In this area you can see the water seeping through the cracks in the wall which creates a fern filled wonderland. This wet landscape is home to many species of plants.

Early morning in Zion is always a great way start the day. I love my new hiking kilt!

A view from watchmen trail overlooking Angel's Landing. Stellar shot Brynne!

This riverbed is typically dry in the fall but flows after snowmelt or heavy rain.

THE GRAND CIRCLE PART ONE
This large cluster of National Parks and public lands in Northern Arizona and Utah offers opportunities to view America's largest concentration of diverse scenery, geologic shapes, and the remnants of ancient civilizations. This was a combined trip between Off the Beaten Path and the National Parks Conservation Association.


GRAND CANYON


Visiting this area in late October brought a new perspective for me. The angle of the light in the canyon created extra gold and red colors. Less visitors is also a perk of the time of year. Brynne Harold, the NPCA representative of this journey, also became trip photographer.
Thank you Brynne for sharing your fantastic pics with me and allowing me to share with others!

SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL

The two pictures above are a section of the trail known as The Chimney. It is a narrow heart pounding zig zag built into the Canyon's wall. 

These Juniper trees seen here, clinging to the walls along the edge of the trail, are incredibly hardy. They grow out of mere cracks in the limestone and can survive these conditions for more than 600 years.

The South Kaibab Trail was built by the National Park Services, starting in 1924, to compete with the more popular Bright Angel Trail. I prefer The South Kaibab because the views are more dramatic and it is less exposed to the sun making it a cooler hike.

OOH AAH POINT

This is the first photographic opportunity of the trail. A great place to take in the full vista of The Canyon, as the Navajo Sandstone juts out from The Canyon wall.

THUNDERSTORM OVER THE NORTH RIM
I want to especially thank Brynne for this exquisite shot!


Stay tuned for PART TWO: Horseshoe Bend and Zion