Got to Squaw Creek NWR in Mo at 1pm, tens of thousands of snow geese & other waterfowl, 35 eagles, 5 hawks. I'm here through Sunday.

Southwest, Fall 2005

The trip account and photos from my recent trip have been posted and I'm ready for the next one. Last summer when I was exiled to Kansas City I went through Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Missouri a couple of times. The brochures indicated the best time to visit was early December when bald eagles follow migrating waterfowl through the refuge. So that's what I'm doing next week.

Coyote in Death Valley

Phantom

Everyone who sees this photo says, "Where did you take that from?"

F-4 Phantom jet

I was standing on the ground at Nellis AFB in Nevada and the Phantom was above me. It was turning as it was taking off, and what looks like the ground below is actually the mountains next to the base. But of course if someone asks I don't tell them that right away. I usually say I was floating along in a balloon at about 5,000 feet when this Phantom zoomed below me.

Never throw anything away

On my recent trip I happened to have the same notebook with me that I had during the 2002 Arizona Fall League. I flipped through my photo notes and spotted the name "Jenks". Prior to the World Series just about no one outside of the South Side knew who Bobby Jenks was. He's still not a star, but maybe now he's a celebrity. For what it's worth, here's Bobby Jenks in the 2002 Arizona Fall League, two years before Angels gave up on him and the White Sox claimed him.

Bobby Jenks

Spending a few hours (no dollars) at the Luxor prior to overnight flight to Boston. Vegas - so much activity so little accomplished.

Taking in the view from Canyon Trail overlook, Bosque. Saw my first bald eagle of the season earlier.

The Bosque, Old Reliable

I drove and hiked various trails along the California-Nevada border earlier in the week and rarely saw the advertised wildlife. Except for a coyote and a covey of quail, there wasn't much on the critter front.

Yesterday I flew to Phoenix and today drove on to Socorro, New Mexico. The first order of business was a swing through Bosque del Apache NWR south of town. Within two hours I had photos of 3-4 different types of raptors, including one series very close to what I think was a red-tailed hawk. (Photos when I get back in a couple weeks.) And of course there are the sandhill cranes and assorted ducks and geese. That was just the first afternoon.

That's why I come here. I know I'm going to see something, usually several somethings.

Good day in Death Valley yesterday stalking a coyote. Brown smog over Las Vegas this morning. On to New Mexico, Bosque del Apache NWR.