I was hoping that there would be another life bird to try for after the planned October 4th pelagic trip, but that wasn't the case. My backup plan was to drive up and see the Grand Canyon's South Rim. My wife and I had visited the North Rim along with the Utah national parks several years ago, but I had never seen the South Rim. So, I headed up there from Flagstaff, getting there just after sunrise. At around 7000 feet elevation, the temperatures were in the low 40's. The cool temperatures coupled with the early morning hours were most likely the reason that I had most of the viewpoints to myself until around mid-morning. Anyone who has seen the Grand Canyon will tell you that there is no way to photograph it to show just how immense it is. It has to be seen to be believed.
The viewpoint at Grand Canyon Village, looking northwest.
The viewpoint at Grand Canyon Village, looking north.
Western Bluebird below Grand Canyon Village.
The viewpoint at the Village Route Transfer, looking north. Note the two people standing on the cliff face just right of center.
Maricopa Point, looking north-northwest.
Maricopa Point, looking northwest.
Powell Point, looking northwest.
Powell Point, looking north.
Hopi Point, looking northwest. The Colorado River is near center.
Hopi Point, looking northeast. The Colorado River is near center.
Mohave Point, looking northwest. The Colorado River is near center.
The Abyss.
Pima Point, looking northwest, taken with the camera sitting on a bench and set on 'self-timer'.
Pima Point, looking north.
Pima Point, looking northeast.
Yaki Point, looking northwest.
Yaki Point, looking north.
Yaki Point, looking north ten miles across the canyon at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim.
Yaki Point, looking northeast. Wotans Throne is just left of center and the Vishnu Temple is the sharply-pointed peak just right of center.
Yaki Point, looking east to the Desert View Watchtower. For scale, the tower is 70 feet tall.
Yavapai Point, looking northwest.
Yavapai Point, looking northeast.
Yavapai Point, looking northeast. The tiny section of river visible just below center is where the Phantom Ranch is located.
A telephoto shot of the Phantom Ranch area from Yavapai Point. The river is about 4400 feet below (over 8/10 of a mile)! Note the yellow river rafts on the beach in the lower left. For scale, the black suspension bridge near center is 120 feet long.
A telephoto shot of the Phantom Ranch area from Yavapai Point. Note the yellow river rafts heading out on the river.
Hopi Point, looking west. Note the people on Mohave Point at the top left.
Hopi Point, looking east. Note the people on Powell Point at the top right.
Grandview Point, looking northwest.
Grandview Point, looking north-northeast. Note the sharply-pointed, light-colored Vishnu Temple located just above and left of center.
Grandview Point, looking northeast. Note the Colorado River winding through the canyon located just above and left of center.
Grandview Point, looking northwest at sunset.
In addition to the Western Bluebird, I saw Western Scrub-Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, and Orange-crowned Warbler. Despite looking, I did not see any California Condors. Mule Deer and Elk were present along the park roads. After sunset, I drove the hour-and-a-half back to Flagstaff.
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