WOODS CANYON LAKE

Larry wanted to get some fishing done since he has a new license. I have the new camera lens to play with. A perfect match. We headed north through Pinetop and drove along the Mogollon Rim to the lake.

It wasn't long before I spotted a bald eagle watching all the action. I first saw him fly into my view and after he landed I realized what he was.

I was near the rocky shore secretly taking Larry's picture and wanted to get a closer shot of the eagle. That's how the trouble began. I was climbing through boulder city but looking up. Was I surprised to find myself behind a family fishing! The lady yelled at me for being too close. As she cast her line and the hook whizzed through the air inches from me I could see how I needed her advice! She shouted "there's a beautiful path right above you".

As I got closer to the eagle I kept taking pics so now you'll be bored looking at them! You even get a butt shot.

So, after 100 pictures I found the beautiful path 10 feet up the bank and returning to Larry was a piece of cake. Only now his pole broke and he's replaced the pole with his camera. HMMMMM I really did not need competition. Ha! A light bulb went off in my brain and I slap myself upside the head near the explosion. This is my blog!!! You can see his pictures on his facebook page.

It was so good to walk through the trees and smell the pines. Sunlight flashes through the branches and it's hard to follow the paths of startled birds and critters. Down below the water sparkles and I spy on all the activities.

The familiar American Robin and the Southern Rockies Steller's Jay



It was another great road trip. As we drive home and the familiar desert scenery takes over I think about how fickle I am. It's so beautiful.

IMPROVED PHOTOGRAPHS THANKS TO LARRY

A few weeks ago Larry surprised me with a present! Here you can see it on our recent trip to Woods Canyon Lake. Yes, I have a new lens for my camera, the Canon Image Stabilizer. He must have noticed that I can't hold the camera steady! Hm mm, a flash image of me pumping my arms with those misplaced dumbbells has appeared. Now I can see a whole video of it. Go, Eileen, go! More muscles should help the wobbly problem, huh? I wonder where they are?

Never mind with that. I want to share my improved photos with everyone. First we were up at the crack of dawn the next day and went to our favorite riparian park in Gilbert. Swallows were swooping over the ponds, a butterfly sunned herself, duck families played follow the leader in green yuk and the great tailed grackle found breakfast.

This tiny little bird, a Verdin, is about 4 inches long and he can be spotted everywhere. This month all the new blossoms are yellow and he looks color co-ordinated. I have featured him before in this blog.

This bird is a new sighting for me. After much studying I think he is a "Albert's Towhee".

A secretive bird found in west and south Arizona.

The entrance of the park was a good place to rest and observe birds who occupy those holes the woodpeckers make in the saguaros. The woodpeckers of course live there but the thrasher and the European starling were taking advantage of them too. The saguaro blossom is our state flower and they are beautiful right now. The Gila woodpecker with the red spot is the male.

ELLEN AND I WALKED FERDIE AND MIMZIE AY THE RIPARIAN

Sunday morning's walk was different for me. We took Ellen's Yorkies along and they wanted to visit with every other dog they saw. Believe me, dogs were plentiful. Gazillons of flowering shrubs were showing off their beauty.





My idea was to look for the peach love birds I photographed last year and the yellow headed Verdin's nest in the same area. We weren't the only people disappointed by the lovebirds absence. And the nest was hidden by the spring growth so that was a bust too. All was not for naught. I enjoyed walking with Ellen, Ferdie and Mimzie surrounded by ponds, blossoms, trees and all the wonderful sounds of nature.








The American Avocet pictured here is new for my list. I saw a huge Blue Heron take flight and only managed to get a distant blurry photo.

PECOS PARK WATER FEATURE IS A HIT

There we were all prepared for the park with lots of water TO DRINK and snacks and hoping to have as much fun as last week. Oh boy, were we surprised. Silly me forgot about the large area with snakes that spout water and holes underfoot that shoot water into the air.

Did it matter that the kids were not wearing swim clothes? How about towels? Rules? When I turned around and saw Luke rolling in the sand by the play equipment I quickly realized I had to make a rule. But truthfully, the kids were on their best behavior.

A parent remarked that the feature was just turned on last Thursday. I missed that notice. But heh! We live in Arizona. Things like upholstered car seats, hair and clothes dry fast here. So does skin and when I realized Brayden and Sophie were shivering statues, I knew it was time to leave. We had a greaaat time. And on the next visit we'll need suitcases for all the paraphernalia necessary.

SATURDAY FUN WITH LUKE, BRAYDEN AND SOPHIE

I've always enjoyed playing hide and seek. I had so much fun with the game when our kids were little and I can't think why I've waited so long to play with the grandchildren. Last Saturday I met the challenge. It was great fun helping Sophie hide-she's so little it doesn't take much space to make her disappear. Next time I'll plan ahead and create more super hiding places. We'll have to do something with Bruce though, you'd think he was a pointer instead of a Yorkie!

Next we hurried to the Phoenix Park off Pecos Road and 48Th st. The children met a family who invited them to play touch tag. Running and chasing and getting rid of a lot of excess energy hit the spot.

I'm constantly counting them to keep track of their whereabouts but somehow I missed seeing how Sophie was able to hang upside down.

It could have been when Brayden was performing his drum solo. DO I HEAR MUSIC? DRUMS? CAN YOU NAME THAT TUNE? HERERRRRRS BRAYDEN PAUL BAUER!

UGH OH, THE CAMERAMAN'S BEEN SPOTTED!

We're hoping to meet that family another Saturday. I'll take extra water for dunking and good treats. Mr. Brayden had hunger pangs. It was a good thing the ice cream truck made a stop at the curb!