Report from the big ditch

[mtnman]

I just returned topside from another wonderful fishing trip. We had some muddy water for the first part of the trip, but the water cleared and there was no flooding this time.

I thought I'd share a few pics with you. On the second day, we encountered a bighorn sheep that was coming down close to camp. By the time I got my camera out, he was well up the slope from the initial 20 yards away. If you see the bighorn in this photo, your eyes are better than mine, but I'm sure he is there.

bighorn.jpg

Saw a cute beetle.

Colorful beetle.jpg

Even in October, there are flowers in bloom. The yellow one is broom snakeweed. The other one is not in my Plants of the Grand Canyon book.

Broom snakeweed.jpg Lavender flower.jpg

There are many varieties of cacti. One of my favorites is a tiny (approx 1.5" in diameter) Mammalaria (AKA Graham's fishhook) that is next to the trail. I caught the crew taking pictures of a clump of barrel cacti.

mamalaria.jpg trail through rocks.jpg photographing a barrel cactus.jpg

The river & canyon always provides some good photo opportunities. I love the traqvertine dams that terrace the river.

mud flat with reflection.jpg travertine dams.jpg

We always eat well in the big ditch. Here is breakfast one morning. Pound cake with strawberries & whipped cream make a tasty dessert.

Breakfast.jpg dessert.jpg

[Daddy's scroller]

great pictures, i love when you show them. they would also make great puzzles. thanks for sharing

[jim_mex]

Hi Jim - good to see you posting another of your tales of the big ditch.
Surprisingly I did spot the bighorn without needing a magnifying glass!
Don't even ask me about the names of flowers, I wouldn't have a clue.
As to those last two shots. You certainly know how to make me drool!
Good to see that you are putting your Coleman to excellent use!!

Keep having fun pal!

[scrolling_grandma]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing. I never was good at those seek and find pictures. I swear there is no fox in any of my books and now you say there is a bighorn in the picture posted above. Yeah right. Maybe I need new glasses.....

[Sally]

What a beautiful area!

[Jan]

Welcome back, Jim. Great photos. I think I'm going to need a magnifying glass to see the Bighorn.

Jan

[ubgoofy2003]

Jim, those are some fantastic shots you brought back for us. Thanks a bunch ! What kind of breakfast has strawberry's & whipped cream for dessert. I envy you. HA Glad you had a good time & thanks again for the great show. Love that Big Ditch !

[ncsealeveler]

Thanks for the pics.
Tony

[Greenfield_Bob]

Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.

Bob

[mtnman]

Always glad to share some pics. I love my home away from home.

Tricia (& others) if you want to use any of my pics for a puzzle, I'd be happy to share the full-size/resolution images with you.

[Wood Dog]

Sweeeeet pics Jim thanks for sharing......just a suggestion here, but you may want to add the name of the place you call big ditch for future readers. It's also nice to go back on old post sometimes, and memory will fade as to just where your big ditch really is.
Your photos are stunning and if someone wants to make a puzzle they would be able to call it where it is.

[ChuckD]

The only thing I can see that could be a Big horn is its horn over a big rock, but I would not swear to it. Great pictures and thanks for sharing... Now I am going to get some cake.

[wood-n-things]

I always look forward to your latest adventure in the ditch. You have not disappointed this time. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.

[mtnman]

WD -- Thanks for the reminder that many folks might not know where what I call the "big ditch" is located. For those who don't know, it is just outside of the Grand Canyon National Park in a side canyon that flows into the Colorado River. We frequently walk to the Colorado River (and the National Park) where we frequently encounter raft trips.