Tuesday, March 1, 2016

In A Galaxy Far Far Away.......



  Around the sandy dunes along the shores of the Sea of Cortez, we searched for life.  The blinding hot light of the sun bleached the vast and often barren landscape. 

Osprey
But wherever the salty ocean kissed the shores, we were able to find some very special birds. 

Red-breasted Merganser
I have observed most of the birds, like this Red-breasted Merganser above, in the bitterly cold waters of the North. To observe them swimming around a desert oasis was quite simply....amazing!


We walked the endless shores covered in sea shells.  In the distance, we found the elderly dabbling around the water for little treasures.  In the background, Surfbirds formed a large cloud and flocked to another area to find their own little treasures.... for food.

Surfbirds fly in the distance
The tiniest of crabs scurries away from the great giants towering above this almost invisible crustacean.


Alien birds. Alien landscapes.  Nowhere to phone home.  Really!  There wasn't any cell service:)

Reddish Egret
It's a harsh landscape full of drama and danger.


We are intrigued by it all. We wonder how this magnificent wildlife can survive this harsh and sometimes terribly polluted environment.

Hermit Crab
Yet somehow it manages. We are fortunate to experience it all.  


Wilson's Plover
We can look at something and say, "How can anything survive in this?"  When I look at this landscape, I think of places like Tattoine, a desert planet, from the movie Star Wars. The desert that surrounds Rocky Point, Mexico is a barren one to the naked eye. 

Bufflehead and Red-breasted Merganser
But if one takes a closer look, they will find it full of amazing life.  Until next time......


20 comments:

  1. Beautiful images conjoured up by your words and pictures, Chris. Best wishes - - - Richard

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  2. A wonderful post Chris with some super photos -love the one of all the seashells! It never ceases to amaze me how creatures can adapt to live in all sorts of harsh environments.

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  3. Nature is always full of surprises.

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  4. It really was. I guess if Matt Damon can survive on Mars, anything can happen!

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  5. These are gorgeous photographs. Nature is amazing.

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  6. What a fantastic place to visit. - plus the birds you photographed obviously like it there.

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  7. It's amazing what you can find when you look closely. Great post.

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  8. Very beautiful place for birding.

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  9. Fantastic photo of the Red-breasted Merganser and beautiful landscapes.

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  10. Remarkable images Chris. Yes, it is indeed wondrous how birds and animals can survive man's interference. Even thrive at times.

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  11. Fascinating to see this landscape, so beautifully barren and yet home to all that life. Superb shots Chris.

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  12. That first RB Merg shot looks like its levitating! Great image.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  13. Beautiful desert landscape with the sea of cortez near by. Y'know I don't think I've EVER seen a bufflehead fly...when I spot them they're always swimming and what they do best...DIVING!!

    Excellent adventure you shared.


    I apologize for taking so long to come by and visit. It's been a busy week, and I'm up early to sit at the computer today before another day begins and I won't have much time!! Thanks for dropping by this week.

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  14. a beautiful nature in every way possible. Love it and you have gorgeous shots to share. :)

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  15. As warm as it is in Phoenix an escape to the beach would be right up my alley!

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  16. People who love the desert I think love it best precisely because the treasures are so rare and everything has to struggle to survive. And thus even more special. It sounds as if you are well on the way to becoming a desert lover!

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  17. It always amazes me that birds and animals adapt so well to certain conditions Chris, you proved this well on this trip!

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Thanks for stopping by!