The high desert

Back in the desert and trying to relish the last few days of the monsoon. I wove through Nevada and Utah before arriving in NM. It took an extra day but solitude in the desert has become a powerful refuge. I drove across Nevada in one day... stopped along the extraterrestrial highway and then camped in Zion. Spent half a day hiking in Zion, then drove to Bryce just to see it... took photos in the evening, then drove to Kaibab National Forest... just in time for a dramatic monsoonal thunderstorm. I slept in the Prius that night, then got up pre-dawn to drive to the overlook above the Painted Desert where I waited for sunrise to illuminate the Vermillion Cliffs before finishing the long drive to Albuquerque. This trip reinforced my belief that the Colorado Plateau is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Seeing my mom again was such a relief. She was alert and talking and up front about what was happening when I arrived, but she very quickly took a turn for the worse. It is now very close to the end and we are all gathering around her. I'm very thankful that I am here now to be with her, and that I got to say goodbye and tell her how much I love her. Someone gave me a book - final gifts - an immense help. It made me appreciate what we have and helped me know what to say and when to say it.

Ivan came a little bit early so that he could be here too, and I've never been more thankful for him than I am now. We have been trying to spend time in the mountains every day, birding and hiking. The migrants are steadily flowing through now... MacGillivray's Warblers and Wilson's Warblers down in the desert washes, Virginia's Warbler and Townsend's in the higher springs, flycatchers near water courses, raptors trickling in. I am hoping to see Grace's Warbler and some vireos tomorrow morning.

It is so great to read about everyone on the blog. This was such a great idea Susan!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at Palo this fall. Sounds like you are having a great season from koko's e-mail. My best friend might be moving to Northern California too - an immense blessing.

That's it, somewhat non-sequiter, but a brief update at least.