For Anna

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts”

-Rachel Carson

I have lived in many diverse places, from the sub-arctic and temperate rainforests of Alaska to the sticky, humid sub-tropical climate of central Florida and many places in between. Now, I can add the arid warmth of central Arizona and the Verde River Valley to the list. Camp Verde, the town where I live, sits at 3200 ft. above sea level and is surrounded by peaks of over 7000 ft. It is quite green and not very desert-like in the classic sense. It is wine, horse and pecan country and I think it is beautiful.

The amount and variety of critters here has been surprising. On my property alone, I have counted over 25 species of birds, and there are squirrels, jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, coyotes, gray foxes, two species of deer (Coues and Mule), javelina, and all kinds of lizards.

I keep active here. There are eight national parks/monuments and seven state parks in the vicinity— many places to walk. And I have passes for all of them. 😊

Thank you for reading!

(I broke down the pictures into categories and will be adding more and more as the right photographic opportunities allow).

State Parks

My rehab center. Rockin’ River State Park (silly name, but faithful to the ranch that was once here), Arizona’s newest, is a few miles from my house. I go here as much as possible, and it has changed my life. On these trails, I re-discovered my heart and healed my body, reacquainting myself with what I have always known—fresh air, exercise, sunshine, and nature are the greatest healers of all.  

The Verde River flows through the park.

About an hour from home is Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. At 180 feet high and over 400 feet long, it is the largest travertine natural bridge in the world. Of course, pictures don’t do it justice.

Native American History

Not far from home is Montezuma Castle National Monument. Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This over 1000-year-old, 20-room high-rise apartment is nestled into a limestone cliff 90 feet above the valley floor.

Another ancient gem on the other side of the valley is Tuzigoot National Monument. This 1000 year old pueblo is said to have 110 rooms!

Flora and Fauna (mostly fauna)

One of the prettiest birds ever in my opinion- a male Gamble’s Quail. The females aren’t quite so flashy, and I’ve yet to get a good picture of one, but I am working on it.

Bullock’s Oriole.

This Hooded Oriole is sitting on a hummingbird feeder. At first I thought he was confused, but it turns out they are known to visit such feeders to partake of a drink. His beak does appear suited for it.

A Black Headed Grosbeak, caught in mid-fluff.

Not the greatest picture but the Blue Grosbeak is such a striking bird I had to share. Always in motion and very skittish, he is nearly impossible to catch with a camera but I will keep trying, and hopefully I can replace this picture with a better one soon.

I was in the backyard grilling when this cute little guy came wandering up. It is a Desert Spiny Lizard and is the biggest lizard I’ve ever seen, short of the Iguanas I’ve seen in Mexico. He wasn’t far from a foot long. Yikes!

Home

My home is off this road. Some pretty nice fall color.

“A bridge of silver wings stretches from the dead ashes of an unforgiving nightmare
to the jeweled vision of a life started anew.”
― Aberjhani