It wasn't all vast sweeping views, towering glowing cliffs, emerald waters and painting... the canyon is also, well, odd. There are textures and shapes, critters and dead things. Here are some of my favorite strange things from the river trip.
Critters. Crows, Turkey Vultures, Ringtail Cats, BATS, Swallows, Big Horn Sheep, BONES, Lizards, Song Birds and Fish... and thankfully I saw NO SNAKES.
My crow friend. Actually, he's a thief.
Just stopped by to say hello
This little fella was about 9" long
Everyone got excited when we'd spot a Big Horn Sheep
Another sighting...
A not so lucky Big Horn Sheep. Found at camp.
Assuming this is the leg to the skull...
This 3" flying creature is a Tarantula Hawk Wasp. Nasty, nasty
I'm a fan of design in nature. I see the shapes and the movement and the colors... here is some of the specialness that caught my eye!
Geology!
Gorgeous granite!
We had to skirt this giant Lava Rock sitting in the middle of the river.
Pumpkin Spring rock... Mile 212.9. This is travertine, which is a form of limestone and also contains high levels of arsenic and lead.
The Vishnu Schist looked like Rodin sculptures to me
Sun rainbow!
My first time to see a 'Sundog' or Fire rainbow. It was particularly HOT this day