A taste of Soldier Pass Trail

After some time at the dog park which must have the best views on any dog park anywhere, we drove to a nearby trailhead and waded through some mud to get a preview of this trail which deserves a longer dryer go.

 As promised, a guide to the rocks. click to see a larger version

 I am torn between the telephoto - because of the neat elements


and the wide angle to try and show an overall picture.

 A passing stranger took our picture.

 Wood does not rot in this climate

 These are the "sacred pools"  a series of potholes in the sandstone where water had mad a necklace for the canyon.

Morning Bird Report - Sedona

There is a fairly large yard out back - trees and bushes - good habitat - so we have started being kind to our fine feathered friends and are starting to attract a few.

The western scrub jays have discovered the peanuts - though the Stellar jays have not come down from the trees yet.

 
 There are western bluebirds (female), a warbler, a male
phainopepla, and a red naped sapsucker kinda hidden in the foliage

 Yellow Rumped Warbler

We are hoping for ravens - but that may require relocating roadkill or take out BBQ - and the feasibility study of that is still being worked on.

Rocks, more rocks.

It's good that I love rocks.  In some ways they are less geologically interesting in Sedona than they were in Bisbee.  Mostly Sandstone not a lot of metamorphosis going on - unless you look at the grains of sand in the sandstone.

But - because it's relatively recent, the erosion which has caused the cliffs, spires and other amazing features, they are sharper much more dramatic.

First, The morning light on the rocks behind the house.

 makes walking the dog less a chore.

And then Buddha, the Rock Star at a 14 acre temple fairly nearby.

 

 Stay tuned, tomorrow I may dig out the reference book and name those layers....

But to prove there is more to our days than rocks a female phainopepla  very cropped.

Phase II - Sedona.

As much as I love Bisbee - and it does have a unique charm, Sedona is so spectacular, so rich in natural beauty, I was not sad to leave to come here.  The time in Bisbee had been good for helping get me back at least towards being in shape which we will need here.

 The forecast was such that leaving early made a great deal of sense and we got here in time to stock up on food - and spend most of the storm on Monday setting up another temporary home.  This house is quite nice, at the end of a cul d'sac with less of a stunning view than last year, but a larger yard for Harley and still with a view.

We are much closer to a great Mexican restaurant too... the universe provides.

 These first two are from the  back yard...

 This is a popular stop for tourists. I had never seen a selfie stick before - now I have.

seems like it can be a themsies stick too.

The trails are quite muddy so today's jaunt was mostly a visit to trail heads, and a short trek up one in the afternoon.

more will be revealed.