Verde Valley - February 2011

Took a trip up the Verde Canyon, in Northern Arizona, on the Verde Canyon Rail Road. This was an incredibly nice and relaxing trip. The day was perfect and there was much to see including some bald eagles that have taken residence year around in the Verde Canyon.
Verde Valley.
View of the rail road cars. There is some open air seating available which allows for great photo taking. The weather was perfect and I spent most of my time…
Verde Valley.
This was our rail car the Santa Fe Bell.
Verde Valley.
The train heading up the Canyon. Off in the distance are the red rocks for which Sedona in Northern Arizona is famous for. Verde Canyon is about 22 miles…
Verde Valley.
The train heading up the canyon.
Verde Valley.
A working ranch.
Verde Valley.
Right in the center of this photo you can see a bald eagle nest.
Verde Valley.
The two locomotives.
Verde Valley.
The eagle is just to the right of the tree in the center of the photo.
Verde Valley.
There was a bald eagle sitting at the top of this ridge. The next photo will show an up close look of the eagle.
Verde Valley.
This is another view of the bald eagle nest. If you look closely at the center of this photo you should be able to make out the nest.
Verde Valley.
The rocks look like leggo blocks that have been put together into strange designs.
Verde Valley.
The reddish color of the rocks and dirt comes from the high concentration of iron.
Verde Valley.
Verde Canyon.
Verde Valley.
Verde Canyon.
Verde Valley.
Verde Canyon.
Verde Valley.
A bald eagle looking for a meal. If you look closely you will see the eagle's shadow on the rock face.
Verde Valley.
Bald eagle.
Verde Valley.
The eagle up high in the sky trying to find a tasty rabbit or squirrel.
Verde Valley.
Verde Canyon.
Verde Valley.
Verde Canyon. Doesn't the boulder in the center of this photo look like turtle. Aptly enough it is called Turtle Rock.