Desert, Mountains, Canyons, Springs, Grotto - How does it get any better?

Last weekend we visited the well known Sitting Bull Spring in the Lincoln National Forest. The spring sits high in the canyon releasing water continually creating all sorts of life giving pools. Here's a collection pool... (People are actually allowed to get in the water here!)

The spring(s?) sit up further in the canyon. The water trickles over this rock ledge allowing lush vegetation. The wind blew quite consistently last weekend causing the water to fly in all directions. We watched birds swooping in to play and cool off.

We enjoyed for quite a bit just sitting and observing...

Rock Squirrel...

A grotto - how magical is this? Dragonflies hunted, kingfishers patrolled...

and we watched...

A little further away we watched yellow-rumped & Wilson's warblers, a yellow-breasted chat, hermit thrush, black phoebe & the kingfisher again. The desert was hot last weekend and this place was a cool reprieve for all of us.

We plan to return to this area soon for a longer hike and maybe a backpacking adventure; water is easy to come by here with a filter - making our loads that much lighter. That's quite a treat hiking in the desert.

Have a great weekend everyone!