May 14th, 2010 Grand Canyon West Quartermaster Point

On May 14th, I went on tour to Quartermaster point at Grand Canyon West. I took some great photos while I was out there. Now is a great time to visit the Canyon because there are a lot of desert flowers in bloom.

Globe Mallow on the rim at Quartermaster Point.

Mariposa Lilly at Quartermaster.

Does anyone know the name of this desert flower?

We came upon a strange Lizard on the lower level at Quartermaster. It was about 10 inches long.

Here is a close up of the Lizard.

And another close up. Look at the orange markings on its back. Do you know what it is?

It has large, course scales. I'm baffled!

On the way back up, we came upon a Horned Lizard. I caught him and we took some great photos. Can you see him in the photo?

He is so camouflaged that he is hard to see.

Remember that you can click on the photo for a close-up. Another click zooms it in even closer.

On May 15th, I took a tour out to the South Rim National Park. My guests were Walter, Nevin, and Geraldean. We had a great time. Highlights of the trip were great views of the canyon and a Mule Deer that we saw along the road.

This photo was taken at the widest part of the canyon. 18 miles!

Me, enjoying the vastness and the silence.

Have you gazed on naked grandeur where there's nothing else to gaze on,

set pieces and drop-curtain scenes galore,

Big mountains heaved to heaven, which the blinding sunsets blazon,

black canyons where the rapids rip and roar?

Have you scanned the visioned valley with the green stream streaking through it,

searched the vastness for a something you have lost?

Have you strung your soul to silence? then for land sakes go and do it;

hear the challenge, learn the lesson, pay the cost.

Have you wandered in the wilderness, the sagebrush desolation,

the bunch grass levels where the cattle graze?

have you whistled bits of rag-time at the end of all creation,

and learned to know the deserts little ways?

Have you camped upon the foothills, have you galloped o'er the ranges,

have you roamed the arid sun-lands through and through?

Have you chummed up with the mesa, do you know its moods and changes?

Then listen to the wild, . . . . It's calling you!

The Call of the Wild - Robert Service

A mule deer (doe) along the road as we were leaving the park.

They are called Mule Deer because they have big ears like a Mule.

Close-up of the Mule Deer.