beluga

beluga

Saturday, March 12, 2016

last day in the Sonoran desert

Yesterday was our last day in the Sonoran desert for this year.   We spent it in the water.


We packed a lunch and headed for two spots where we could access the Salt River.    We ate lunch at the first, Blue Point, and afterward walked a long way in the cool, shallow water.    Its much more fun to walk in the river than beside the river.    The day was warm and cloudy, not very good for picture taking but wonderful for water walking.


We passed diving ducks, wading birds and shorebirds on our hike.   A Kingfisher was diving into the river near us but I couldn't convince him to sit still long enough to take his picture.





A pied billed grebe was zooming around among a small group of Scaup (lesser or greater, I can't tell the difference) as if someone was chasing him.   Perhaps he just had spring fever.   We watched for awhile, laughing at his antics.




The Scaup were having none of it.   They appeared to stare the little idiot down, then turned their backs on him and paddled away.



We continued our water hike, enjoying the sound of a few tiny waterfalls and keeping pace with four or five little least sandpiper's rushing about at the water's edge.


They'd hustle along while we were moving but when we stopped to watch, they all stopped dead.



It was a peaceful and calm walk.     Later in the afternoon we stopped at another access point - Water Users - and scrambled down a steep bank to the water's edge further upstream.   The clouds were beginning to break up and it was getting warmer.

desert sand verbena



Salt Cedar flowers





We walked a bit then climbed up on a large rock, midstream, to just enjoy the sounds of the water.



Bill, we saw a number of large trout darting around in the shallows but I couldn't get a photo of them for you.


majestic Bulldog cliffs rise above the Salt River


It was a lovely way to spend our last day in the desert.

This morning we broke camp and drove north to Prescott.   We're at the Point of Rocks Campground until mid week when we more further north to the Wahweap Marina and Campground at Lake Powell.

our view through Beluga's windshield

This is the first private campground we've stayed at since we were in Tucson in January and it feels odd having people so close to us again.    However, this site has some pretty fabulous rock views right out the windshield so I think we'll adjust nicely!  


8 comments:

  1. Not a bad way to spend your last day in the desert. But it is strange to see so much water in the river. Even though it was cloudy your photos are beautiful. Love any photo of the water and rocks:)

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  2. Not a bad way to spend your last day in the desert. But it is strange to see so much water in the river. Even though it was cloudy your photos are beautiful. Love any photo of the water and rocks:)

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  3. What lovely photos. I just love the desert in the spring. The flowering plants are so beautiful. Your site is awesome.

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  4. We've not spent any time along that river...looks like a must-do!

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  5. What a lovely, peaceful way to spend a day. I love walking through the water, too, and just hanging out on the rocks and contemplating nothing. Looks like another nice view at your new site.

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  6. Beautiful photos of the birds. What was up with the little Pied-bill? Too funny! Love those little guys!

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  7. Trout? Big? More than one? I'm on my way!!

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  8. Wonderful, peaceful water walk- thanks for sharing. The grebe looks like he's crashing a formal party :) Love those amazing rocks at your new site!!

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