High Grew the Grasses

Look at Sunny Juliet, close to sunset, sitting in this year's tall grass! Good thing she has that bright orange harness so I don't lose her on the savannah! 

 

Even a big ol' barrel cactus can be tricky to spot this year, unless you're right on top of it. 

And Peasy's tree, below -- usually surrounded by cow-trampled bare earth, this year it emerges from a sea of grass. 

Blades of grass as numerous (or so it seems) as stars in the nighttime desert sky. And yet, myriad as they are, they always merit a closer look. 

And now, if you're feeling lonely or altruistic or wise or holidayish or on-the-fence-about-the-hollidays, consider joining the conversation here. Thanks!

Sunset Cruise, Blue Sky Road

 

Looking the opposite way

The image above was taken of what to me always seem like the sand dunes of the prehistoric lake -- or, as I call them, "the duney bits" -- along the highway and accessible from Blue Sky Road. Low evening sun made the dunes look warm, and I liked Dos Cabezas framed by the grass-tufted hills. 

Looking toward the late day's sun, I saw the silhouette of a bird perched high against the bright sky, and it was then I felt once again my equipment limitations. Without a good telephoto lens, there is no way to capture the shot I really wanted. 

But it was a lovely evening and good to be out where I could appreciate the show put on by the desert sky. The quiet directions were as enchanting as the spectacular ones to my eye. Though there was no denying that the spectacular was spectacular.

Light Magic Without a Lot of Color

 

Rabbit brush blooms yellow in the summer, 

turns pale ivory when it goes to seed.

Vine climbed hackberry tree and left behind

a coyote gourd, like an ornament.

And always, the ghostly remains of last summer's

brilliant red and blue morning glories --

All it takes is light

and open, seeing eyes!

Happy Dog Morning

 

A Few Minutes of Peasy's Morning Adventure

Peasy explored down into a deep arroyo and up to the other side. This is a series of photos I took (instead of a video, which challenges me) of the good dog coming when called.

Sunset West + South

 

Desert Dog!

 

This is Peasy.

This is the high desert, Cochise County, AZ.

This prickly place is Peasy's world.

Peasy loves to explore his world.

He loves to run!

He loves STICKS!

Peasy is a happy dog!

Beautiful Sarah and Her Ghost Town Friends

Sarah's friends: Buddy in front, Mollie in back (ready to go)

All on the trail (following a cow path)

Catclaw is flowering and going to seed already

Is this monkey flower?

Desert willow in the wash

Desert willow flowers

Water break

Buddy and Sarah are senior dogs

Beautiful Sarah!

Beautiful morning!

Gradually But Quickly, Morning Builds

I often begin my outdoor day by sitting in the car, watching light change on the mountains while visiting by phone with my son. Whether or not the sun is "up" yet depends on where you are in the mountains and which way you're looking. -- Ah, there it is! In the east but much farther to the north than it was months ago.

And now come the birds, and day is truly underway.