Parker Canyon Lake in Coronado National Forest

Parker Canyon Lake is southwest of Tucson, about 75 miles away. It is only about 4 miles from the border with Mexico. Many US Border Patrol vehicles are zooming around the two lane paved and unpaved roads on the watch for smuggling activity and illegal immigration. When traveling to and from Tucson, there is always a checkpoint to pass through as a Border Patrol officer peaks briefly into the back of your car.

 And all the cattle! Horses, cows, and cowpeople are everywhere as you come and go from Parker Canyon Lake. (Is "cowpeople" the politically correct word for including cowgirls?) Anyway, it takes more time to get past the cows walking down the road than it does to get through the Border Patrol checkpoints.

These two turkey vultures were just waking from a cool night of mid 50 degree temperatures. I've been rising early and taking a little hike around the lake with my camera. These two birds were in a group of 10 others in the same tree. They seemed to pose well for this picture. It's one of my favorites.

And of course, yours truly.

More at Buenos Aires NWR

This is just one of those more creative photos I made one evening at the campsite in Buenos Aires NWR in Southern Arizona. It's remarkable that I've owned this old bus for 7 years and am still getting to know how it works. Like the awning...don't tighten the adjusters in 30 mph winds. Just let it hang loose. It knows how to adjust itself.

Sunset at BANWR

2018 Summer Roadtrip - Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

 The wildlife refuge southwest of Tucson, AZ is virtually unknown to longtime residents of the area. My idea is that the area is more known to hunters, of which there are many in Arizona.

This photo of a pronghorn antelope was taken at about two hundred yards, handheld with a zoom. It was a tough shot to keep focused, but the shape of the antlers was really what I was after.

This picture is a little washed out, but the shape of Baboquivari Mtn stands above the rest of the mountains in the range just west of the wildlife refuge. The story goes that the mountain is the origin of all animals and humans, according to the native-american peoples called, Tohono O'dom. Their reservation covers a large area west of Tucson, stretching far out toward Yuma, AZ., at the border of California.  According to legend, the view from directly over the mountain roughly describes the ancient symbol of the Tohono O'dom people, "The Man in the Maze." 

Oracle, AZ and Albuquerque, NM

Well this may take a little practice. I haven't been blogging regularly for over a year. I do have a plan of action, though. I have a collection of pictures on a SD card and I'll just post one I like and give a little background dialogue. And hopefully I won't get too wordy as I get carried off on a memory inspired by the photo.  Thanks for visiting. Let me know what you think. peteykale@gmail.com

This photo seems to be a morning sunrise picture of the mountains west of Oracle, AZ. The yellow and orange lighting seem to bring out the red in the land.

On a visit early 2018 to my high school buddy's home in Albuquerque, NM, we took a day-hike to  a place called Tent Rocks National Monument.  We entered through a slot canyon. The desert southwest continually amazes me.

 The rocky outcrops were formed by exposure to the elements, and eroded into these cylindrical, tent-shaped forms. Very unusual.