Day 7 Grand Canyon, California Condors

Bright Angel Lodge. One of the old rustic lodges in Grand Canyon Village.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Bright Angel Lodge. One of the old rustic lodges in Grand Canyon Village.

Bright Angel Lodge is surrounded by quaint and colorful cabins that look like they'd be a blast to spend a weekend in.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Bright Angel Lodge is surrounded by quaint and colorful cabins that look like they'd be a blast to spend a weekend in.

All the doors and windowframes in the Bright Angel Lodge complex are painted bright colors and patterns. I liked the contrast with the dark wood.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
All the doors and windowframes in the Bright Angel Lodge complex are painted bright colors and patterns. I liked the contrast with the dark wood.

Looking straight up Bright Angel Canyon

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Looking straight up Bright Angel Canyon

Lookout Studio was built in 1914 as an artist's or photographer's studio. Mary Colter, architect for Bright Angel Lodge, also designed the Lookout.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Lookout Studio was built in 1914 as an artist's or photographer's studio. Mary Colter, architect for Bright Angel Lodge, also designed the Lookout.

Colter's buildings all use native materials; see how the Lookout seems to be growing right from the rim rock. It was also intended to look somewhat like native pueblos.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Colter's buildings all use native materials; see how the Lookout seems to be growing right from the rim rock. It was also intended to look somewhat like native pueblos.

Just an informational sign to remind me what's going on.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Just an informational sign to remind me what's going on.

The Buckey O'Neill cabin, built in the 1890s, is the oldest surviving structure here. (Avoid snide comments about park service tearing down structures built by the Havasupai.) Colter incorpo ...

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
The Buckey O'Neill cabin, built in the 1890s, is the oldest surviving structure here. (Avoid snide comments about park service tearing down structures built by the Havasupai.) Colter incorpo ...

Wandering along the canyon rim, I snapped several photos of turkey vultures against the overcast sky.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Wandering along the canyon rim, I snapped several photos of turkey vultures against the overcast sky.

Turkey vulture soaring below the rim level.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Turkey vulture soaring below the rim level.

Three turkey vultures ready to try out for the Seigfield Follies. (I believe it's a cooling posture, but not positive.)

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Three turkey vultures ready to try out for the Seigfield Follies. (I believe it's a cooling posture, but not positive.)

The view past Lookout Studio.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
The view past Lookout Studio.

El Tovar, the really big lodge, opened in 1905. Built by Santa Fe Railroad, decorated by Mary Colter, and operated by Fred Harvey.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
El Tovar, the really big lodge, opened in 1905. Built by Santa Fe Railroad, decorated by Mary Colter, and operated by Fred Harvey.

And, suddenly, there were California condors in the air! I was delighted; knew there were around but hadn't expected to see one, as they range up to 150 miles a day.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
And, suddenly, there were California condors in the air! I was delighted; knew there were around but hadn't expected to see one, as they range up to 150 miles a day.

Virtually all condors are tagged permanently with numbers on their wings, which can be seen from above and below.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Virtually all condors are tagged permanently with numbers on their wings, which can be seen from above and below.

There are only around 330 condors left in the entire world, from a low of 22 back in the late '80s. And here they were, several of them, hanging out on the cliffs and soaring from outcroppin ...

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
There are only around 330 condors left in the entire world, from a low of 22 back in the late '80s. And here they were, several of them, hanging out on the cliffs and soaring from outcroppin ...

None of my photos turned out well. Even with my telephoto lens, they were too far away; it was a dark and overcast day; and I didn't have a tripod to help steady my shots. I was trying to pa ...

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
None of my photos turned out well. Even with my telephoto lens, they were too far away; it was a dark and overcast day; and I didn't have a tripod to help steady my shots. I was trying to pa ...

The color of the head varies from golden to red or patchy, apparently depending on the bird's mood.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
The color of the head varies from golden to red or patchy, apparently depending on the bird's mood.

This one, still a youngster, was hanging out on a rock right below Lookout Studio, watching us lean over the stone wall to watch him

2009-08-01T11:44:17Z

elf1
This one, still a youngster, was hanging out on a rock right below Lookout Studio, watching us lean over the stone wall to watch him

This one, still a youngster, was hanging out on a rock right below Lookout Studio, watching us lean over the stone wall to watch him.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
This one, still a youngster, was hanging out on a rock right below Lookout Studio, watching us lean over the stone wall to watch him.

Looking straight out Bright Angel Canyon again, as the sun breaks through for a moment.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Looking straight out Bright Angel Canyon again, as the sun breaks through for a moment.

One of those many temple formations, but I have no idea which.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
One of those many temple formations, but I have no idea which.

OK, gang, there are only 151 condors in the wild (according to yesterday's newspaper, and you're lookin' at 5 of 'em right here. In fact, there were times when I could clearly count 10 in vi ...

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
OK, gang, there are only 151 condors in the wild (according to yesterday's newspaper, and you're lookin' at 5 of 'em right here. In fact, there were times when I could clearly count 10 in vi ...

I loved the colors, the layers, the clouds, the shapes.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
I loved the colors, the layers, the clouds, the shapes.

But how to label the photos? "Here's another grand canyon photo."

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
But how to label the photos? "Here's another grand canyon photo."

If you want to go down the Bright Angel Trail, this is where it all starts. You're lookin' at it.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
If you want to go down the Bright Angel Trail, this is where it all starts. You're lookin' at it.

Note about the Kolb Studio.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Note about the Kolb Studio.

I took billions of condor photos, but had to delete most of them, they were so blurry. Just pulled out the best of a bad lot. Sigh again.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
I took billions of condor photos, but had to delete most of them, they were so blurry. Just pulled out the best of a bad lot. Sigh again.

Here's one of the condor gang--number 53, apparently--waiting for the sun to come out.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Here's one of the condor gang--number 53, apparently--waiting for the sun to come out.

Bright Angel Canyon again, from a slightly different perspective.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Bright Angel Canyon again, from a slightly different perspective.

Info about the Bright Angel Lodge.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Info about the Bright Angel Lodge.

Mary Colter designed this fireplace to show all the layers of rock in the canyon, and its shape reflects the shapes of the appropriate layers, and the stones are actual stones from the corre ...

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Mary Colter designed this fireplace to show all the layers of rock in the canyon, and its shape reflects the shapes of the appropriate layers, and the stones are actual stones from the corre ...

This sign says the same thing.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
This sign says the same thing.

Sign with El Tovar info.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Sign with El Tovar info.

Fireplace in Bright Angel Lodge. A popular place on a cold, snowy day.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
Fireplace in Bright Angel Lodge. A popular place on a cold, snowy day.

The storm blew in, blew out, blew back in again, somtimes snow, sometimes rain, sometimes both. Here's what it looks like from Bright Angel Lodge. Normally there's a Grand Canyon beyond that ...

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
The storm blew in, blew out, blew back in again, somtimes snow, sometimes rain, sometimes both. Here's what it looks like from Bright Angel Lodge. Normally there's a Grand Canyon beyond that ...

El Tovar. The name comes from Don Pedro Tovar, one of the Spanish explorer Coronado's captains in their 1541 tour of the area, where they stated that no man would ever want to, or likely wou ...

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
El Tovar. The name comes from Don Pedro Tovar, one of the Spanish explorer Coronado's captains in their 1541 tour of the area, where they stated that no man would ever want to, or likely wou ...

El Tovar, the Back Side, which faces the canyon.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
El Tovar, the Back Side, which faces the canyon.

El Tovar, the Front Side, which faces Hopi House. It's a wonderful, broad porch filled with comfy chairs.

2008-07-18T14:43:23Z

elf1
El Tovar, the Front Side, which faces Hopi House. It's a wonderful, broad porch filled with comfy chairs.

Here's Hopi House, another Mary Colter design, now used both as a store for native (and other) arts and as a studio.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Here's Hopi House, another Mary Colter design, now used both as a store for native (and other) arts and as a studio.

The storm rolled in again; here's what the Grand Canyon looks like from El Tovar. Not.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
The storm rolled in again; here's what the Grand Canyon looks like from El Tovar. Not.

We moseyed through El Tovar's hallway. Very snazzy carved-wood doors.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
We moseyed through El Tovar's hallway. Very snazzy carved-wood doors.

Linda asked the maid whether we could take a peep into one of the rooms, and she let us. Not huge, but very comfy and cushy looking. And way neato bathroom.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Linda asked the maid whether we could take a peep into one of the rooms, and she let us. Not huge, but very comfy and cushy looking. And way neato bathroom.

All lodges need a big central lounge area, and El Tovar is no exception.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
All lodges need a big central lounge area, and El Tovar is no exception.

Many heads perused the human guests huddling below from the storm. I'll always have a fondness for moose heads because there was one in the big central room of the lodge where I lived when I ...

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Many heads perused the human guests huddling below from the storm. I'll always have a fondness for moose heads because there was one in the big central room of the lodge where I lived when I ...

I tried a bunch of photos to make it look like this antelope (head) was just wandering through.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
I tried a bunch of photos to make it look like this antelope (head) was just wandering through.

This arrangement reminded me of nothing so much as Bear Country Jamboree. Remember that? Or was it Chuck E Cheese? Maybe both? With the talking bison head?

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
This arrangement reminded me of nothing so much as Bear Country Jamboree. Remember that? Or was it Chuck E Cheese? Maybe both? With the talking bison head?

Wooooo, the flying antelope soars above....

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Wooooo, the flying antelope soars above....

Mr. Bison head.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Mr. Bison head.

Linda hanging out in the comfy rockers on El Tovar's porch. It was too cold to really enjoy it for long, but they WERE comfy, and sheltered, and it was nice just being there, looking out at ...

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Linda hanging out in the comfy rockers on El Tovar's porch. It was too cold to really enjoy it for long, but they WERE comfy, and sheltered, and it was nice just being there, looking out at ...

I took a bunch of photos of Linda and she can pick the one(s) that she likes.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
I took a bunch of photos of Linda and she can pick the one(s) that she likes.

Here's I'm getting artsy and framing the view as we saw it from the El Tovar porch.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Here's I'm getting artsy and framing the view as we saw it from the El Tovar porch.

Linda again, patiently enduring my photos.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Linda again, patiently enduring my photos.

Linda again. Oh, wait--this is cool--if you go back and forth between this one and the previous one, it looks like she's rocking! Oooo!

2008-07-18T15:02:38Z

elf1
Linda again. Oh, wait--this is cool--if you go back and forth between this one and the previous one, it looks like she's rocking! Oooo!

Oh, it's me this time. In my down jacket AND new fleece sweater.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Oh, it's me this time. In my down jacket AND new fleece sweater.

Oh, yeah, I have to show off my brand new Grand Canyon condors fleece sweater that I just bought at Lookout Studio.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Oh, yeah, I have to show off my brand new Grand Canyon condors fleece sweater that I just bought at Lookout Studio.

More artsy framing shots, of Hopi House.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
More artsy framing shots, of Hopi House.

More artsy framing shots, of Hopi House again.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
More artsy framing shots, of Hopi House again.

Hopi House without the artsy framing.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Hopi House without the artsy framing.

Hopi House. I wonder whether they ever let anyone climb around on those ladders? It looked like fun.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Hopi House. I wonder whether they ever let anyone climb around on those ladders? It looked like fun.

And now, a bunch of Grand Canyon shots with clouds rolling in and out and around the rocks.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
And now, a bunch of Grand Canyon shots with clouds rolling in and out and around the rocks.

IMG_9585GrandCanyonLowClouds_cn.jpg

2008-07-18T12:53:27Z

elf1
IMG_9585GrandCanyonLowClouds_cn.jpg

IMG_9587GrandCanyonLowClouds.JPG

2008-07-18T13:02:04Z

elf1
IMG_9587GrandCanyonLowClouds.JPG

IMG_9588GrandCanyonLowClouds_cn.jpg

2008-07-18T13:14:28Z

elf1
IMG_9588GrandCanyonLowClouds_cn.jpg

IMG_9589GrandCanyonLowClouds.JPG

2008-07-18T12:58:33Z

elf1
IMG_9589GrandCanyonLowClouds.JPG

IMG_9592GrandCanyonLowClouds_fx.jpg

2008-07-18T12:55:05Z

elf1
IMG_9592GrandCanyonLowClouds_fx.jpg

IMG_9593GrandCanyonLowClouds.JPG

2008-07-18T12:53:57Z

elf1
IMG_9593GrandCanyonLowClouds.JPG

El Tovar, the very front entrance by the big circular driveway.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
El Tovar, the very front entrance by the big circular driveway.

IMG_9596GrandCanyonNearRocks.JPG

2008-07-18T12:57:37Z

elf1
IMG_9596GrandCanyonNearRocks.JPG

From outside El Tovar, there's Lookout Studio, which is where I took all the condor shots. It really didn't seem like much of a walk.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
From outside El Tovar, there's Lookout Studio, which is where I took all the condor shots. It really didn't seem like much of a walk.

Lookout Studio again. You can see the terraces below, which made it easy to get closer to the condors.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Lookout Studio again. You can see the terraces below, which made it easy to get closer to the condors.

IMG_9599GrandCanyonLowClouds_cr.jpg

2008-07-18T13:14:42Z

elf1
IMG_9599GrandCanyonLowClouds_cr.jpg

Along the rim trail.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Along the rim trail.

Back to Bright Angel Lodge.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Back to Bright Angel Lodge.

Lunch indoors again, out of the snow, which is snowing outside our window again.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Lunch indoors again, out of the snow, which is snowing outside our window again.

Vegetable chips. Colorful AND good for you.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Vegetable chips. Colorful AND good for you.

Linda's tasty lunch.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Linda's tasty lunch.

My tasty lunch.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
My tasty lunch.

The little cabins near Bright Angel Lodge.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
The little cabins near Bright Angel Lodge.

Wouldn't you love to spend a weekend in one?

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Wouldn't you love to spend a weekend in one?

The train comes in from Phoenix (I think), right up to Grand Canyon Village.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
The train comes in from Phoenix (I think), right up to Grand Canyon Village.

And, last thing on our way out, these elk moseyed through so that i could jerk the car off the nearest pull-out and snap some shots. I didn't want to get too close, to avoid bothering them a ...

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
And, last thing on our way out, these elk moseyed through so that i could jerk the car off the nearest pull-out and snap some shots. I didn't want to get too close, to avoid bothering them a ...

So again it was telephoto lens, no tripod, blurry shots, couldn't get a great angle. Blah blah excuses. But not TOO bad, really, and they were so graceful.

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
So again it was telephoto lens, no tripod, blurry shots, couldn't get a great angle. Blah blah excuses. But not TOO bad, really, and they were so graceful.

Ravens hung out around the campsite all weekend, but every time I pulled out the camera, they flew the coop. This guy posed beautifully on that dead tree the whole time I walked to the car, ...

2008-07-18T14:43:24Z

elf1
Ravens hung out around the campsite all weekend, but every time I pulled out the camera, they flew the coop. This guy posed beautifully on that dead tree the whole time I walked to the car, ...