"Above the Circle"

  

Portal, Arizona

Welcome to the isolated world of Portal, Arizona.  I ran away from home to escape the urban life for a much needed break. I had indeed found one of the last remaining places on this world mostly untouched by humankind.

Coyote

Well not really isolated when you consider all the incredible animal life around me.  But being the only one of the trails in the darkest forests felt at times eerie.

Mexican Fox Squirrel

I wrote to you all that I wish I could find bears.  And indeed I did but the danger factor was high.  I knew several spots where they were watching me from the bushes and I don't normally feel that "spider sense" on my walks but in Portal I did.  There was an edge of danger to the walks.  In this part of the world, Mountain Lions, Jaguars, and Bears roam freely up and down canyons. I decided that my life was much more important than to get a shot of a bear.  At one point I chased the Elf Owls but stopped when I realized that there was a bear hiding behind a boulder. The Elf Owls can wait.

Mule Deer

Portal is a world protected by desolation. In fact, I had to enter the sandy deserts of New Mexico. I could tell immediately that I had left my beautiful Sonoran desert home.  Not many humans live here and the ones that do consider themselves to be lucky to live "Above the Circle"......those fortunate enough to be surrounded by nature and escape the madness of the human world.  It's a world of quiet, deep reflection and constant exploration.  I think I could like that life:)  Well except for the little inconveniences like not having a gas station nearby.  There was an OLD fashioned one 40 miles away!!!  And all the ATM machines(3 in a 50 mile radius) were blown out by a storm.  It was isolating. So bring cash.

Tarantula

I did attend a lecture by the research station on a wonderfully cold evening.  I will write about the research tomorrow and it again backs up the importance of our sky islands and diversity of life in Arizona.  

Mexican Jays

I found myself on hikes during the day and reading my book during the dark and cold nights sipping coffee.  One night I sat and listened to bird calls on my CD player to help me find all the incredible feathered ones.  And I'll share those finds with you all in two days. Until then, I leave you with this Jay flying off into the Portal skies......