Arquivos de periódicos de junho 2020

28 de junho de 2020

Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Arizona

Saguaro Cactus desert mountains, Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Arizona
© Photographer: William Wise | Agency: Dreamstime.com
At 11:00 AM, we arrived at Colossal Cave Mountain park about an hour-and-a-half ahead of the rest of our friends from church. So we took a short mountain desert hike up the Arizona Trail. It was such a stereotypical southwestern desert scene! A hot, bright high noon sun overhead; burning sand and rocks underneath our feet; parched lips and not a spot of shade to be found. The desert mountains stretched off into the distance and a Turkey Vulture soared overhead.
White Winged Dove, Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Arizona
© Photographer: William Wise | Agency: Dreamstime.com
In this high heat, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! We hiked about a mile and turned back to meet our group. In a dry creek bed near the trail-head, I spotted a Blue Grosbeak singing in the scrub. I was sort of taken aback, for it was odd to see a regular visitor in my green Georgia backyard out in this dry, brown desert.

Up at Colossal Cave entrance we met up with our friends. Our group being so large, my wife and I stayed back from touring the cave (which we had both been into before). More time for photography on the short nature trail!
Black Throated Sparrow bird, Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Arizona
© Photographer: William Wise | Agency: Dreamstime.com
On all my last visits to the Tucson International Bible Conference over the last 25 years of my salvation, reptiles were the focus of my desert treks, if time allowed for any treks at all. But with birding being my “new thing”, the afternoon was filled with excitement. So many Life Birds! One special shot in particular was of a Zone-tailed Hawk soaring overhead. A zoomed in display on the Nikon view screen showed a small lizard in the grip of his talons.
Saguaro Cactus desert mountains, Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Arizona
© Photographer: William Wise | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Posted on 28 de junho de 2020, 10:38 AM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

29 de junho de 2020

USFWS - COVID Update on Operations

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
https://www.facebook.com/okefenokeewildliferefuge/
June 26 at 4:45 PM ·
COVID Update on Operations:
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is excited to announce that our hours of operations for the Main Entrance - Suwannee Canal Recreation Area will resume our seasonal hours beginning tomorrow, Saturday June 27. See the details from the press release below...
Canoe and paddle with Okefenokee Swamp Stephen C Foster sticker
© Photographer: William Wise | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Beginning Saturday June 27, the refuge will resume opening at 30 minutes before sunrise and closing at 7:30 p.m. daily. Entrance fee collection has resumed – a 7-day pass is only $5 or a refuge-specific annual pass can be purchased for $15. The onsite concession, Okefenokee Adventures, is offering modified services at this time. Information on services and hours of operation for the concession can be found on their website www.okefenokeeadventures.com or by calling 912-496-7156.

In addition, the following areas continue to be open and available for public access: Swamp Island Drive
Hiking Trails, Chesser Island Boardwalk, Chesser Island Homestead grounds, Boat ramp access to water trails for day-use, Kingfisher Landing, Suwannee River Sill, The Pocket.

The health and safety of our visitors, volunteers, and employees remains our number one priority and the following facilities or areas remain closed with no projected date of resuming these operations at this time: Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, Overnight Campsites (permit issuance has been suspended until further notice)

Posted on 29 de junho de 2020, 10:02 AM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário