After our cool night, we were up and at ’em with the sunrise. The camp was quite and we noticed a visiting deer. We made breakfast and headed out for a leisurely tour of the many scenic viewpoints. We also took the time to visit the Tusayan Ruins — another Ancient Pueblan site.

We finished our tour in mid-afternoon where upon we visited the main village facilities for a little light shopping (giant marshmallows, and some souvenirs) and a small stop for some much-needed wi-fi access ;-).

We had another in a series of fine dinners at camp and had a nice relaxing time enjoying a warm fire (and the marshmallows).

Dawn Deer. Just at sunrise, as we emerged from our night's sleep, we found a deer having a tour of the camping area to see if anyone had left out any comestibles.Dawn Deer. The deer did seem to find some pickin's. At least until a dog a few campsites away noticed the deer and gave a shout. The dog was in a cage so the deer was not at risk, but none-the-less it decided to quit the campground.Taunting Ravens. This ground squirrel was scolding something as we walked along the trail to Mather Point. The ravens swooped in and tried to make him breakfast. The squirrel was prepared and went to ground quickly (he had a nice hole under a large rock). He played cat and mouse with the ravens for about 5 minutes until the Ravens gave up the chase. Here he is once the Ravens have left the scene -- Bold as brass and daring them to come back and have another try.Squirrel Enjoys a Nut. As we walked the trail to Mather Point. I noticed a ground squirrel calmly eating a nut by the side of the path. I was only a few feet away and it did not seem to mind a friendly camera.Food? The ground squirrel decides that I might be prepared to give it food. Unfortunately, just at that moment a blind tourist walked right by with out any awareness of this animal only inches from her clod-hoppers. The squirrel, of course, beat a hasty retreat.Mather Point. A nice early morning (less aerial perspective) shot looking east from Mather point. You can see the Colorado in the right/centre.North from Mather Point. The bright sun almost washes out the left of the frame while the morning shadows darken the right. A study in contrast.Pipe Creek Vista. Mather point in sunlight. Yaki Point in shadow. The Kaibab trail leads down the side of Yaki Point and out along Cedar Ridge , before crossing over to the other side of Cedar Ridge and down to the Colorado River.Usual Suspects at Mather Point. Prickly Pear, Yuca, Mormon Tea, Sage, Utah Juniper, Pinyon Pine, they're all here.Duck on a Rock. A fun formation -- with a view!Grandview Point and Pinyon. The view from Grandview framed by a dead Pinyon ping tree and some live Junipers....Grandview Point. Looking north from Grandview point towards the north rim. The morning sun shows the shadow relief.Grandview Point. Looking North West from Grandview point. The Morning Sun (behind) shows the colour of the canyon very well.Pinyon, Cap Rock, and Morning Shadows. Also from Grandview Point. Just trying some composition....Utah Juniper at Moran Point. I do have a weakness for solitary Pinyon or Juniper trees.Lipan Point. A very colourful view from Lipan Point.Lipan Point and the Yuca. The Colorado River is visible, Also the Vermilion Hills in the far distance near Page and Marble Canyon. Note the small yuca plant with the enormous frond in the lower left of the picture.The Colorado River. From many locations, it's not easy to see the Colorado River itself. Here's a look east from Navajo Point. I've processed this image to remove some of the aerial perspective and sharpen the image.

 

A Panorama from Navajo Point. This shot shows the north rim on the left, Wotan's Throne, Vishnu's Temple, Jupiter Temple, the Colorado and Little Colorado canyons, the anticline to the painted desert, and on the very right, the Desert View watch tower.

 

Kanab, Vermillion Cliffs, Glen Canyon, Grand Canyon 2017
Petrified Forest 2017