Loved the snow geese! We used to attend a Snow Geese Festival in Northern CA. They are so pretty. Loved hearing them and watching them flying. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Great Video. Ray an chance you include the elevation on your stops wife has lung issues lower the elevation the better. Keep the shiny side up Jeff. Going full time in April 1/2017 house is sold 😎😎😎😎!!!
Here is a good site to check out - ultimatecampgrounds.com/index.php/products/full-map It has elevations at all the public camping areas. It's also topographical so you get an idea if the place is on mountainous terrain. This spot was 283 feet.
Ray, I may be wrong but I think you should use or make a wind shild for the mick, the wind maks it hard to hear your comments. Thanks for all your vidos. Stay safe.
The way the stereo mics are set up on my camcorder its pretty well impossible to solve the wind if it is blowing strong. Ideally, I need is a new camera with external mike port and professional mic so I can buy the proper wind dampening gear, my old camcorders mics are built in the plastic casing at the front under the lens opening and even when covered up with foam or fur I still get wind noise. I think it enters through the lens opening. On my upgrade list soon. :) Usually, I try and wait for calm days but this time the winds were strong for most of the visit.
Ray, as always love your vids. I am currently in Ukraine and ultimate campgrounds comes up as "403 forbidden" . I will be glad to get back and not be blocked.
Thanks, it's great site for public camping sites info, they also have a paid $5 POI list to download for the GPS, well worth it. ultimatecampgrounds.com/index.php/products/poi-list/purchase-poi-list
What I need is a new camera with external mike, this old camcorders mics are built in at the front under the lens and even when covered up with foam or fur I still get wind noise. I think it enters through the lens opening. On my upgrade list soon. :) Cheers!
i remember that flock when they flew over my trailer last fall here in ladner !!! they left a lot of 'stuff' behind on my trailer !!! ray, do you use a mapbook as a bit of a guide for planning where to go??? if so what can you recommend, thanks, as always i really enjoy your vids
I generally go by internet research, word of mouth and fellow RVer blogs. Here is an article a wrote on how we find boondocking sites. - www.loveyourrv.com/find-rv-boondocking-campsites-us-south-west/
Actually, we were just there for about a week. Saw lots of Snow Geese, some Sandhill Cranes, Egrets, Herons and lots and lots of ducks and hawks, mule deer and a couple Burrowing Owls and two coyotes. Happy New Year! Ray
Excellent video. I'm about 3-4 miles upriver of where you are. I've been wanting to check out that area. Is that the only boondocking you found? As far as I can see you aren't allowed to camp any where on the refuge? Looks like you were out the only totally clear day we've had this week. Sure has been a wet/cold winter down here. I moved today from the AZ side of the river to the Calif. side, so will see how that goes. All USBR land as far as I can see on the map and no signs saying I can't camp here, so giving it a go. I've been seeing pelicans and sandhill cranes flying by in the afternoon. Beautiful area!........The Northern half of this valley by Ehrenberg is mobbed with RV's that left the RTR in Quartzite yesterday, so stay south. If I had a ATV or motorcycle I'd run down and say hi.
We left Sunday. Our water heater sprung a weeping leak in the burner chamber so doubled back to Palm Spring area to order in a new one to an RV park and swap it out. If you stay on the road I think its called Cibola or Cibola Lake that goes by the visitor center where we were it keeps going a long way. I saw lots of camp spots and a few RVs mostly ATV folks and hunters camped out.
I'm kinda waiting until they get a bit smaller and cheaper. The good ones are pretty big to pack and pricey. They also seemed to be frowned upon in many parks. For instance, the refuge had a sign "No Drones" I can see that with the birds.
It was done with my old HDR-CX190 Sony Camcorder, has 25x optical zoom. I've since upgraded last summer to the AX53 from Sony and love it www.loveyourrv.com/love-your-rv-gets-a-new-4k-camcorder-sony-fdr-ax53/
Hi Ray, I'll be travelling the SW US starting next year. Would it be possible to do a video of recommendations for desert boondocking? From NY State and never even seen the desert, I'm wondering what I should be watchful for (scorpions, ants, black bears, dust storms, UFOs....😉). THANKS
I can't comment on the summer but during the winter there is not much to worry about. Most of the scorpions and snakes are sleeping and the weather is pretty tame short of occasion bouts of wind. If you have a small dog be mindful of coyotes. The biggest thing to watch out for is rain. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and stay out of canyons and washes when rain is in the area. Millions head to the southwest deserts every year and not much goes wrong. The drive on the highways here is the biggest danger. ;)
Will depend, come March where you are. The southwest is full of elevation change. ie Palm Springs around sea level and Flagstaff AZ near 7000 feet, makes for vast temperature ranges. By March if you stay low the temps can be in the 90's and then snakes and scorpions start to get active. They try to avoid you but more observation is needed to not accidentally get in the way. We generally migrate up with the change in weather staying in cooler areas. Ideally with highs the mid 70's, good for dry camping since we don't run AC.
I enjoyed watching the birds, thank you for sharing. I've been wondering, now that I've been watching some RV videos, since most vids are shot outdoors, why don't the videographers use some wind dampening equipment on the microphones.?. The wind noise just drowns out the narration, and can be an unpleasant sound at times. I watched a lot of this video with the sound turned down.
I'd say cost of equipment, many are using cheaper cameras and smartphones. Ideally, I need is a new camera with external mike port and professional mic, my old camcorders mics are built in the plastic casing at the front under the lens opening and even when covered up with foam or fur I still get wind noise. I think it enters through the lens opening. On my upgrade list soon. :) Usually, I try and wait for calm days but this time the winds were strong for most of the visit. Cheers!
We can go over 2 weeks if we really conserve. But normally we use a tank a week. Usually, by then, we are ready to move on and explore somewhere else anyway.
At 0:45 second, Ray pans to the left showing a windmill down by the cattle crossing at the entrance. We are by that windmill right now, because we didn't want to chance the big arroyo "dip/wash" crossing up above. (We're 30') Wouldn't you know... the wind picked up after dark and that damned windmill sounds much like a garbage truck wrestling a dumpster! Avoid!!!!!
Great!
Good birding video Ray.
WOW
Thank you Ray outstanding video, we just love watching.
You're welcome. :)
very nice Ray, thanks.
Thank you
I enjoy your videos and your tow vehicle. Thanks! I have a 1994 F250 IDI 2 wheel drive for mine.
Cool! Thanks for watchin, Cheers Ray
Beautiful birds, wild and free. Thanks.
Thank you! Very enjoyable!!
Your camera has excellent optics!
Not bad. :)
I have been here. Staying in Paolo verde :)
Thanks for this information. I'm going to the river to kayak in a few weeks, so think I will drop by here also...Birds are my thing too!!
Cool!
Great video and looks like a place to put on our plan to visit list..
You go to some really cool places.
As always. Thanks for sharing.
I just get so jealous.
Thanks for making the video looks like a relaxing place. Those birds were awsome.
You're welcome, yes very laid back and peaceful.
What a nice area to boondock, thanks for sharing! :)
Thanks for posting 🙂
Wonderfull area. Ty What a beauty of a view with those Mts.
Loved the snow geese! We used to attend a Snow Geese Festival in Northern CA. They are so pretty. Loved hearing them and watching them flying. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Yes, I've never really seen the snow geese that much, loved it! Cheers Ray
So the RTR happening at Quartzsite had to suffer your absence. Good choice in my opinion too. Lol!
Hope it was a good time!
And another place to put on my MUST GO list. Cibola Wildlife Refuge. ✅
:)
I love bird watching
Very interesting place... thanks Ray!
thanks Ray
Great Video. Ray an chance you include the elevation on your stops wife has lung issues lower the elevation the better.
Keep the shiny side up Jeff.
Going full time in April 1/2017 house is sold 😎😎😎😎!!!
Here is a good site to check out - ultimatecampgrounds.com/index.php/products/full-map It has elevations at all the public camping areas. It's also topographical so you get an idea if the place is on mountainous terrain.
This spot was 283 feet.
Ray, I may be wrong but I think you should use or make a wind shild for the mick, the wind maks it hard to hear your comments. Thanks for all your vidos. Stay safe.
The way the stereo mics are set up on my camcorder its pretty well impossible to solve the wind if it is blowing strong. Ideally, I need is a new camera with external mike port and professional mic so I can buy the proper wind dampening gear, my old camcorders mics are built in the plastic casing at the front under the lens opening and even when covered up with foam or fur I still get wind noise. I think it enters through the lens opening.
On my upgrade list soon. :) Usually, I try and wait for calm days but this time the winds were strong for most of the visit.
Ray, as always love your vids. I am currently in Ukraine and ultimate campgrounds comes up as "403 forbidden" . I will be glad to get back and not be blocked.
Thanks, it's great site for public camping sites info, they also have a paid $5 POI list to download for the GPS, well worth it.
ultimatecampgrounds.com/index.php/products/poi-list/purchase-poi-list
you shurely need a mikecap...
i bought a noco after your vid. It's a GB70, this one will be sturdy enough for me. Thanks!
What I need is a new camera with external mike, this old camcorders mics are built in at the front under the lens and even when covered up with foam or fur I still get wind noise. I think it enters through the lens opening.
On my upgrade list soon. :) Cheers!
i remember that flock when they flew over my trailer last fall here in ladner !!! they left a lot of 'stuff' behind on my trailer !!!
ray, do you use a mapbook as a bit of a guide for planning where to go??? if so what can you recommend, thanks, as always i really enjoy your vids
I generally go by internet research, word of mouth and fellow RVer blogs. Here is an article a wrote on how we find boondocking sites. - www.loveyourrv.com/find-rv-boondocking-campsites-us-south-west/
thanks ray...lots to read...just read a bit tonight...i'll get on it tomorrow
Ray, this place looks quite cool - especially with all the birds. Do you think you’ll camp there (Cibola) this year? Or I guess in the new year :)
Actually, we were just there for about a week. Saw lots of Snow Geese, some Sandhill Cranes, Egrets, Herons and lots and lots of ducks and hawks, mule deer and a couple Burrowing Owls and two coyotes. Happy New Year! Ray
Excellent video. I'm about 3-4 miles upriver of where you are. I've been wanting to check out that area. Is that the only boondocking you found? As far as I can see you aren't allowed to camp any where on the refuge? Looks like you were out the only totally clear day we've had this week. Sure has been a wet/cold winter down here. I moved today from the AZ side of the river to the Calif. side, so will see how that goes. All USBR land as far as I can see on the map and no signs saying I can't camp here, so giving it a go. I've been seeing pelicans and sandhill cranes flying by in the afternoon. Beautiful area!........The Northern half of this valley by Ehrenberg is mobbed with RV's that left the RTR in Quartzite yesterday, so stay south. If I had a ATV or motorcycle I'd run down and say hi.
We left Sunday. Our water heater sprung a weeping leak in the burner chamber so doubled back to Palm Spring area to order in a new one to an RV park and swap it out. If you stay on the road I think its called Cibola or Cibola Lake that goes by the visitor center where we were it keeps going a long way. I saw lots of camp spots and a few RVs mostly ATV folks and hunters camped out.
Have you considered getting a camera drone for aerial footage?
I'm kinda waiting until they get a bit smaller and cheaper. The good ones are pretty big to pack and pricey.
They also seemed to be frowned upon in many parks. For instance, the refuge had a sign "No Drones" I can see that with the birds.
Thanks very much. What camera and focal length lens did you use to film?
It was done with my old HDR-CX190 Sony Camcorder, has 25x optical zoom. I've since upgraded last summer to the AX53 from Sony and love it www.loveyourrv.com/love-your-rv-gets-a-new-4k-camcorder-sony-fdr-ax53/
Hi Ray, I'll be travelling the SW US starting next year.
Would it be possible to do a video of recommendations for desert boondocking?
From NY State and never even seen the desert, I'm wondering what I should be watchful for (scorpions, ants, black bears, dust storms, UFOs....😉). THANKS
I can't comment on the summer but during the winter there is not much to worry about. Most of the scorpions and snakes are sleeping and the weather is pretty tame short of occasion bouts of wind. If you have a small dog be mindful of coyotes.
The biggest thing to watch out for is rain. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and stay out of canyons and washes when rain is in the area. Millions head to the southwest deserts every year and not much goes wrong. The drive on the highways here is the biggest danger. ;)
Love Your RV Thanks, good to know. I'll be there December - March each year so I'm ok then.
Will depend, come March where you are. The southwest is full of elevation change. ie Palm Springs around sea level and Flagstaff AZ near 7000 feet, makes for vast temperature ranges. By March if you stay low the temps can be in the 90's and then snakes and scorpions start to get active. They try to avoid you but more observation is needed to not accidentally get in the way. We generally migrate up with the change in weather staying in cooler areas. Ideally with highs the mid 70's, good for dry camping since we don't run AC.
Cool!
That was *_amazing_*; do the birds take flight like that every morning? What time was it?
Yes and many times during the day. That was about 7:45 am
Do you know if it's always green there this time of year?
I think since it so close to the river they irrigate all year round so yes.
I enjoyed watching the birds, thank you for sharing.
I've been wondering, now that I've been watching some RV videos, since most vids are shot outdoors, why don't the videographers use some wind dampening equipment on the microphones.?. The wind noise just drowns out the narration, and can be an unpleasant sound at times. I watched a lot of this video with the sound turned down.
I'd say cost of equipment, many are using cheaper cameras and smartphones. Ideally, I need is a new camera with external mike port and professional mic, my old camcorders mics are built in the plastic casing at the front under the lens opening and even when covered up with foam or fur I still get wind noise. I think it enters through the lens opening.
On my upgrade list soon. :) Usually, I try and wait for calm days but this time the winds were strong for most of the visit. Cheers!
how long can you and your wife boondock with a full water tank?
We can go over 2 weeks if we really conserve. But normally we use a tank a week. Usually, by then, we are ready to move on and explore somewhere else anyway.
At 0:45 second, Ray pans to the left showing a windmill down by the cattle crossing at the entrance. We are by that windmill right now, because we didn't want to chance the big arroyo "dip/wash" crossing up above. (We're 30') Wouldn't you know... the wind picked up after dark and that damned windmill sounds much like a garbage truck wrestling a dumpster! Avoid!!!!!
thanks for sharing my turn is coming
WOW