WBW 37-ITs a Long Story!

OK Im not going to complain about the heat anymore...I went through some of my photos from last yrs trip to the Western US and found some interesting birds to share--And whats special about them is they have something LONG...like this black billed magpie...check out the longgg tail.

And look at these Boat Tailed Grackles..showing off those beautiful tails and glossy black feathers!!

And the Scissor Tailed Flycatcher has a REALLY long tail and if you catch him in flight you can see why its called Scissor Tailed! V

This Stellers Jay has a long tail and a LONG TUFT on his head he looks Punked!

And the Scrub Jay...this one came to beg at our picnic and we shared...HE has a really long tail and a beautiful mix of blue and grey feathers.

AND last but not least this NON native bird he has BIG eyelashes....

Check out other birds from around the world at Springmans Meme and add your to the mix too!! World Bird Wednesday.



PEACE

ZION

ZION was busy--crowded--hot--dry--and AWESOME!!
Here are some of my favorite shots from that visit..we stayed in Cedar City Utah about 35 miles from the crowds in a fab room at the Best Western Town & Country which had been only days before remodeled..what an awesome room we had!!! BIG fluffy Beautyrest mattresses...with 4 big soft pillows on each bed..omg we were spoiled...the hot tub was nice the pool was cool, we give it a 5 even tho its listed as a 2 star hotel.

                                                              sis already unpacking. 
The first day we drove the Kolob Canyon
and then down to the Carmel Highway...now that was some drive...narrow steep roads with few turn outs..but what views!! We hiked the Timber Creek Overlook trail off Kolob Canyon Drive...it was an easy hike about a mile round trip and we had a picnic--with a friend.

Canyon Drive

                                                                             Scrub jay was....

Overlooking our Picnic...

CheckerBoard Mesa..

Some of the formations are so colorful this area reminds me of the Wave which I didnt get to see last yr..over near Page, AZ Still on the Bucket List.

Sis on the Carmel Highway 

                                         

 THE Watchman's Peak

Then on Sunday we did the Bus Ride which is the only way to get on the Zion Scenic Road after April 1.. till Oct. So we hopped on the bus with everyone else!! 

We decided to hike the Emerald Pool trails and the Upper Pool trail was steep & rocky but we made it up and back...the pool was so cold we could only wade in for a minute and our feet were turning blue!!

Standing under the overhang of Lower Emerald pools..

View of Red Arch 

                                                                           

Getting to the Lower Emerald Pools, 

Now on to the Upper Emerald Pools...

View of the Bridge, 

Trail up, Navajo White Sandstone in the distance

The Upper Emerald Falls,

                                           

The Temple of Sinawava 

Marks the parking and entrance to the  Riverside Trail to the narrows but the Narrows was so full of swift water they closed it to hiking!! Normally you can hike in the water the Narrow part of the canyon, but not this time. 
 The following photos are shots of the Virgin River as it tumbles thru Zion Canyon, and the Narrows part of the canyon. 

Sis and me on the Trail 

On the Riverwalk Trail you pass the Hanging Gardens, so very beautiful 

We got as close as we could but I imagine it will be about 2 weeks before the water returns to normal levels---

The Narrows Entrance 

We had a wonderful trip and we want to return to see what we missed and hike the trails we didnt hike..etc. I took lots of photos, -Today sadly I left Colorado sis had to go back to work and tonight Im headed back home...cooling my heels in a motel off the Interstate in Kansas. Tornado Alley---I plan to arrive back home on Friday!!