2019 RRAS Southern Utah Fall Color Trip

​Doug and Nancy Chang, Barb Flanders-Krause, Sue McPherson, Richard Walker, Lucy Wu and Jimmy Alexander embarked on a trip through Southern Utah on September 27th and 28th to do a little birding and experience/photograph the fall colors that the area has to offer this time of year. On Friday morning, we met at the Cedar Breaks Visitor Center and took pictures of the beautiful views that Cedar Breaks provides. The group enjoyed a hike of Alpine Pond Trail. A highlight of this hike was a visit at the Alpine Pond by a Dusky Grouse. It was not camera shy and allowed the group to take many pictures.  

​After the hike, Janice Phillips hosted lunch for the group at her cabin near Brian Head. We enjoyed the spectacular views, rode ATVs and got some tips on where to go to photograph the fall colors. Thanks to Janice for her hospitality hosting us. We left after lunch to head to Bryce Canyon, stopping along the way to photograph the beautiful landscapes that Southern Utah has this time of year. Although fall was late arriving this year, the fall colors did not disappoint!! Continuing our journey to Bryce Canyon, we stopped at Panguitch Lake to see what birds were hanging out there, of which a few White Pelicans and a Red-Tailed Hawk were seen. Once we left the lake, we started heading to Bryce Canyon when a flock of sheep was being herded on the road heading in the opposite direction. Of course, we pulled over, got our cameras and phones out and captured the moment! Then off to Bryce Canyon for dinner at the Lodge and photographing sunset at the Sunrise Point Overlook. Bryce Canyon was as breathtaking as ever. Once the sun went below the horizon, the group went back to the hotel to rest up for an early rise to capture sunrise at Sunset Point.  

​We left the hotel the next morning and arrived at Sunset Point at 6:30 am to photograph sunrise. Watching sunrise at Bryce Canyon is an experience that is highly recommended, it is such a beautiful place. The group had breakfast at the Lodge and then went on a hike of the Navajo and Queen’s Garden Trails. After experiencing Bryce Canyon for a couple of days, we headed back to Cedar City that afternoon and met with Martin and Susan Tyner of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation where they talked about their foundation and the wonderful work that they do. Here is a link to their website, https://www.gowildlife.org/ . After the presentation, Martin showed us birds that he is currently rehabilitating, along with birds that he uses in his presentations. We saw Scout, his Golden Eagle, a Peregrine Falcon, a Harris Hawk and a few other birds that were in various stages of rehab. Some of the group got to hold these birds, which was an amazing experience. We went to dinner afterward and talked about our experiences of the weekend.  

​It was so enjoyable experiencing with such good people the fall colors of Southern Utah and exploring Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks. Can’t wait for the next adventure.