@devonman Mother nature puts on some great shows.

@goodlil666 That is the best praise of all and something to be cherished. Leaving the world a better place for you having lived could not be more satisfying.

@goodlil666 You have been to so many interesting places and seen so many interesting things.! You and I have some interesting parallels. I grew up in Michigan and moved to El Paso halfway through high school, then went to college in Texas, received a couple of degrees, and started working there. I went into the desert as often as possible, and my general rule was the furthest from civilization the better. I am good at reading topographic maps, and would plan to go to areas with no trails that the topo maps indicated would be promising. I saw some of the best petroglyphs and Native American encampments there, and rarely saw anyone other than a backpacking partner. Once in a remote trailless area in Big Bend I came across a desert spring and noticed that there was permanent water and several leopard frogs that looked different. I caught several adults and juveniles and sure enough, all lacked the spots on their legs and were very different from the Rio Grande Leopard Frog. I reported it to the park rangers, but they didn't seem too interested, so I contacted the State Herpetologist when I got back and gave him location information. He was excited because he has always believed there were relic populations of different leopard frog species. I don't know what happened after that.

@windinhishair That's awesome !! Yes topo maps were a must for me and always carried topos of the areas I was hiking in.
When the anthropology professors asked me for GPS coordinates of the petroglyphs I reported I told them I don't have a GPS but would locate them on my topo map and email them a photocopy. The professor responded you go into that area without a GPS? Its such a remote and little traveled area he said he wouldn't dream of going there without a GPS. I thought that was humorous he was afraid to enter remote wilderness areas without one. I never needed or felt the need for one. A compass and a topo is all I ever needed. I

It's great to correspond with other nature lovers that truly love the experience. I spent many years and hours in public libraries educating myself on the flora, fauna, geology and archeological history of the areas I live and hike. No internet back then so that was the only way to learn a lot of these things. Over the years I have tried to pass on my love ,knowledge and respect of the great outdoors to my daughter, grandchildren and other family , friends and young people interested in it.

@goodlil666 I don’t even use GPS when I drive, let alone hiking. I can’t imagine doing it as it detracts from the wilderness experience. If you can read a map and compass, you can easily get around. Only twice in 50 years did I not know exactly where I was. And that only lasted until I got the maps out to pinpoint my location.

You are smart to pass down your knowledge to kids and grandkids. I have done the same, and all of them like the outdoors and nature and feel very comfortable in nature. I had a complete set of Audubon Field Guides and the rule was when they found something, they would look it up. I didn’t realize how much it was working until I heard and saw a tree frog and said to my three year old son, “Look at the tree frog!” “No, Dad”, he replied, “that’s an Eastern Gray Tree Frog.” He was correct, of course. Lol

This has been a most enjoyable discussion with you.

@beermeplease is as short for Arizona?

@Monalisaa1986 Yep AZ is the abbreviation for Arizona

@Coralmist I know

@ArishMell Mother nature puts on some great shows that's for sure.

@Iwillwait Thank you

@Ramrod Thank you