CHRISTMAS AT THE FAIRMONT PRINCESS SCOTTSDALE

Every year in Scottsdale, Arizona The Fairmont Princess Hotel puts on a Grand Display to celebrate the holidays. The lagoon on the property is populated with lighted sculptures as well as numerous displays throughout the massive grounds.

There are numerous experiences offered for all individuals including ice skating, train rides, fire tables where you can stay warm and have snacks and cocktails or elevated hot chocolate.

Strap on some skates and hit the rink.

This monumental tree helps get you in the mood for the holidays.

ELF ON THE SPIRE

The Elf on the Spire has returned but not for long. Decorating the famous monument has been a holiday tradition in Scottsdale, AZ for many years and has been captured by many visitors and residents alike.

Located at the corner of Scottsdale Rd. and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, resides the 125-foot structure know as the Frank Lloyd Wright Spire . It was completed in 2004 as an element of a design originally proposed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1950’s for the Arizona State Capital. Come check out the Holiday addition before it’s gone for another year!

ELF ON THE SPIRE

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

STILL HANGING ON

DECK THE HALLS!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

BACK IN BLACK

The Great-tailed Grackle can be seen mainly in the West and Midwest Regions foraging in feedlots, golf courses, parks and neighborhood lawns. They have a tendency to gather with the Blackbirds (whom they are at times mistaken for) as well on lawns and fields surveying for trash.

GREEN WITH ENVY

The Green Heron is relatively viewable in most regions of the United States while being more limited in the West. It can be spotted motionless near ponds, rivers and marshes while hunting for fish and amphibians.

THE COOLEST BIRD IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION

Today’s photo is from one of my many recent trips to Arizona. As I am unable to travel, it;’s a good time to reminisce. This is a photo of Gambel’s Quail, named in honor of William Gambel, a 19th-century naturalist and explorer of the Southwestern United States. These non-migratory birds are surprisingly fast and are a pleasure to watch. They are rarely seen in flight and spend most of their time on the ground scurrying around the desert.  These are monogamous birds which rarely breed in colonies. . The female chicks which are precocial, leaving the nest with their parents within hours of hatching.

SEDONA'S FAVORITE GEM

A small locale tucked away in Verde Valley, Arizona, Sedona is best known for its glorious red sandstone structure and mild year-round climate. The city sits 1372 above sea level providing some of the most marvelous views of all the existing nature and wilderness.

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The most visited landmark in Sedona is Cathedral Rock which also happens to beone of the most photographed sites in America by enthusiasts and professionals alike. The Rock formations which change colors throughout the day are known to resemble a shrine. The area appeals to hikers and nature enthusiasts as well as the risk-takers who attempt to climb this gargantuan structure. Cathedral Rock is located in the Coconino National Forest in Yavapai County. Words simply cannot justify the vision that awaits anyone visiting this amazing landmark.