More Scenery from My New Favorite Spot

Last week one day, we decided to stay home and just relax... but, the sky was beautiful, and we had just been told about a neat spot, so we took off mid-afternoon and what we found were many photographic spots.  This is just a sample.

That is Roosevelt Lake way down there.

Mike thinks this was a cougar print in some dried mud.

The drive back down was pretty spectacular.

I have never seen the sky look like this - a true watercolor...

The last shot of the day.

 

Big Horn Sheep

When we were on Canyon Lake, I took several pictures of Big Horn Sheep and we felt very fortunate to have seen them.  WELL, last week we were told about an area to explore called the Little Plateaus.  Since we had nothing better to do, we drove the 21 miles to this area - we were richly rewarded!

"I think those are Big Horns - can we get any closer?"

"Maybe if we stay right here they will let us watch them for awhile."

"OMG, she is looking right at me."

"Must be mother and daughter"

"Look, the buck is whispering something"

"Must be father and son"

(This one is our current screen saver)

We were able to watch and take pictures for over 30 minutes.  This was a privilege few people get - one of the many things for which I am thankful this day.

Apache Lake

Apache Lake is a most beautiful lake!  We have been on it several times in the past few weeks and will return to this area in March.  Since I am "in town" and have a good internet signal, I will show you why we love the lake.

Clouds and time of day make all the difference.

You probably get the idea... I think I have enough pictures to do a 365 day calendar!  Fishing is just an added benefit.

Water and Mountains, Mountains and Water

And wild life! 

Oh, that's not wild life, that's Bonnie and Barry.  We enjoyed 4 full days of touring with them last week and only once did we get a little "wild"... sometimes, wine just tastes good!

We did see some real wildlife.  On Apache Lake, we enjoyed our boat lunch watching this young fellow...

and he kept an eye on us!

Barry actually caught a fish - we were all impressed!

And then he caught another...

and another!  OMG, this is definitely Barry's lake.  We all enjoyed his great fortune while we enjoyed the the scenery and the day!

We also harvested a fine piece of driftwood that will soon adorn their backyard.

This is a wildlife specimen that neither Mike nor I had ever seen before - it is a waterdog and is used to catch walleye - at least that is what they tell us - you can't prove it by us.

Another day, we visited Canyon Lake and spotted this Big Horn Sheep upon a rock.

It didn't take long for him to spot this female down by the water.

She must not have met his needs because after just a few minutes of "sniffing around", he sauntered back up the mountainside.

These mallards shared part of our lunch that day.

This vulture seemed to be injured - at least it didn't move when we got close.

I LOVE the antics of the "hell divers".  They are actually a type of Grebe and are regulars on all the lakes/reservoirs we have enjoyed in the Southwest.

Herons are on every point and most of the coves.

Pelicans hang out on the south end of Roosevelt Lake and you can count on them to entertain.

Another day, when the B's were here, we went to the mountain town of Young, Arizona.  Along the way (40+ miles) we spotted these cows grazing.

When we stopped for a beer and bite to eat, we dined with this guy

and this guy

at the Antlers Cafe and Bar - one of only a handful of businesses in this town at 5,000 feet.

Besides touring and taking pictures, I have caught quite a few bass; usually don't have picture taken since "boat hair" is not pretty!

On Roosevelt on Tuesday, we spotted this coyote along the shore.

We watched him hunt and he kept his eye on us.

After awhile, we lost him in the brush and then found him again later up on the cliff.  By this time, he was with a mate and she was "working" the top of the hill.

Certainly a pretty animal to watch.

Mike is good at catching those bass and lands a few every time we hit the water - nothing of any real size yet, but we keep trying.

This Heron was playing "peek a boo" with us yesterday.

And, of course, the open range cows wander around.  These beef cattle make me laugh every time I see them - just seem so out of place amid the cactus, mountains and water.

I will close with this "specimen" - since it was the day after the election, I will give you a guess as to whether he was celebrating or drowning his sorrows...

Great Wild Life on these lakes!