Author: Tommy

By Ted Grussing… I haven’t seen one of these guys down at the ponds for a long time and most of my shots of them are around the lake between the tenth hole of Oak Creek Country Club and the clubhouse. This is a Black Crowned Night Heron and like most herons dines on fish and such around the shores of ponds and in wetlands. Beautiful creatures and I got the lighting perfect (maybe near perfect) on this shot. More about them at: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-crowned_Night-Heron/id

Office visit not needed to select donation optionPhoenix AZ (May 14, 2020) – Even though ADOT Motor Vehicle Division offices are serving a limited number of customers by appointment only due to the public health situation, customers aren’t limited in their ability to offer the gift of being an organ, eye or tissue donor. Since 2017, organ donation has been an option for online customers renewing their vehicle registration, a service that attracts about 250,000 customers a month. The online option of signing up to be a donor after applying for a driver’s license or ID dates back even longer.

Sedona AZ (May 14, 2020) – The Sedona Heritage Museum recently worked with an intern from Northern Arizona University, giving her some real-world experience in Museum Collections work. Maddy Killian, a student in Comparative Cultural Studies with an emphasis in art history and a minor in Italian has been volunteering at the Museum, doing processing and management of their collection.“It has been difficult for students to fulfill all the elements of their education during the ongoing pandemic. We are so happy that we could come up with a way for Maddy to get experience while maintaining safe distancing procedures”, said…

Phoenix AZ (May 14, 2020) – The Arizona Community Foundation and its donors are pleased to announce grant, scholarship, and loan distributions for its fiscal year ending March 31, 2020. A total of $74,191,251 was awarded from funds of the Arizona Community Foundation and its six statewide Affiliates in Cochise, Flagstaff, the Gila Valley, Sedona, Yavapai County, and Yuma. Funds totaling $67,191,251 in both discretionary and advised grants and scholarships were awarded in five strategic priority areas:  Health Innovations, Community Improvement & Development, Environment & Sustainability, Arts & Culture, and Quality Education.  

By Ted Grussing… best describes the landing of this hen mallard that I shot at Bubbling Ponds this morning … her wings were spread out cupping the air, not really breaking, but just maintaining balance and slowly sinking lower in the water. It is a real treat getting a shot where you have the subject coming towards you as opposed to a sideways or going away shot. Lot’s of other shots and lots of different species including a Yellow breasted Chat … phew I remembered it 🙂

Phoenix AZ (May 13, 2020) – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds the public to leave baby wildlife alone. As temperatures rise and days grow longer, newborns of many species of wildlife are beginning to explore the world around them.AZGFD encourages people to resist the urge to help seemingly abandoned animals, including baby birds and young rabbits, as a parent is likely nearby and will return once humans have left the area.“Picking up or ‘rescuing’ baby wildlife is often unnecessary and can have negative consequences. While the intention is well-meaning, the ‘rescue’ often results in a newborn or…

Sedona AZ (May 13, 2020) – With retail stores and restaurants reopening, one of Arizona’s top tourism destinations announced an innovative campaign inviting businesses to adopt a list of safe operational practices publicly posted on the internet. The Sedona | Safe.Clean.Ready  website lists businesses that adopt the voluntary standards and adds eight safety practices for travelers to red rock country. More than 100 Sedona businesses signed on during the pre-launch signup period.

Sedona AZ (May 13, 2020) – Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced the current stay-at-home order will expire on May 15, 2020 and a new Executive Order will begin on May 16, 2020, and gave new guidance for pools, spas, gyms and major league sports in this announcement:Governor Doug Ducey today announced that the Stay At Home order in Arizona will be ending on May 15 and replaced by new guidance for the next stage of economic recovery. The new guidance aligns with gating criteria issued by the White House and Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and aims to…

Yavapai County AZ (May 13, 2020) – The Yavapai Reentry Project, a project of MATFORCE, is collaborating with Yavapai College Police Department and several community organizations to bring much needed computers, bikes, and bike accessories to people in the community. And, they are asking our generous community members to help by donating new or gently used computers, bikes, and bike accessories during a donation drive on Friday, May 22, 2020.

By Ted Grussing… with dinner in his talons … a successful dive into the pond and this Osprey has a look of satisfaction as he throws his wings skyward and begins the struggle to break free of the water after a dive into the water from a branch about 30′ above the pond. He was totally submerged with his talons going in first to sink into the targeted trout and then comes recovery and escape from the water with dinner in grasp … a short flight to a nearby tree to consume his evening meal completes this cycle.

Clarkdale AZ (May 12, 2020) – With all the pomp and circumstance possible, Yavapai College leaders, faculty and student speakers put the 2020 graduating class on a pedestal of perseverance during the college’s first-ever virtual commencement ceremony May 9.“What could be grittier than working toward your degree or certificate during  a global pandemic?” YC Faculty Senate President Jennifer Jacobson posed in remarks recorded on the stage of the YC Performing Arts Center.

“Fentanyl, meth, and poly-substance use a significant concern”Prescott AZ (May 12, 2020) – Accidental and undetermined drug overdose deaths in Yavapai County increased significantly from 47 deaths in 2018 to 68 deaths in 2019, an increase of 45%.The Yavapai County Overdose Fatality Review Board (OFRB) recently released a new report outlining overall findings on the cases that have been reviewed from 2016 – 2019.   The OFRB was formed in 2016 with the goal of determining recommendations to prevent accidental drug overdose deaths.  

Patrick Ki, Dan Vega and Eric Miller Kick off Sound Bites Grill’s Re-Opening WeekendSedona AZ (May 12, 2020) – Music to your ears… yes! Sound Bites Grill will be safely re-opening on Friday May 15th for dine in guests. The venue located at the Hyatt Residence Club in uptown Sedona is a music themed restaurant that supports local musicians.

By Ted Grussing… got this shot of a Great Blue just about to stick a landing down at the ponds over the weekend … his feet are just an inch or two above the ground … wings and tail feathers fully extended and spread to provide the needed braking and body arching back. As the feet touch his legs are hinged forward so they will absorb the shock of landing  provide the final deceleration as he lands on the edge of the pond and begins his hunt for food (fish) in the water below. Simple … beautiful … nature at…

Vote for your favorite at azdot.gov/signcontestPhoenix AZ (May 11, 2020) – Need a fun distraction for a few minutes? The Arizona Department of Transportation has you covered.It’s time to vote for your favorite in ADOT’s fourth annual Safety Message Contest. From Monday, May 11, through Sunday, May 17, you can pick your favorite from among the 12 finalists and vote at azdot.gov/signcontest. “In these unprecedented times, we can all use a distraction that makes us smile, even if it’s just for a moment, and taking a look at the best of the contest’s message entries can, hopefully, do that,” ADOT…