Author: boolie

My Favorite Hiking Companion

Our dog Bear at the overlook on the Marcus Landslide Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 18, 2026. Original: _A671234.ARW

One of the nice things about hiking with Bear is how comfortable people are talking to me compared to when I’m alone. You would not believe how many times I’ve been told that I’m so handsome and well-behaved. Thankfully they also complement Bear, particularly the horse riders who appreciate his gentleness around their nervous steeds.

Our dog Bear at the overlook on the Brown’s Mountain Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 25, 2026. Original: _A671501.ARW

First picture:
📷: Sony A6700 | Sony-Zeiss 24mm f/1.8
🗓️: January 18, 2026

Second picture:
📷: Sony A6700 | Sony-Zeiss 24mm f/1.8
🗓️: January 25, 2026

The Hall Monitor

Our dog Bear relaxes in the hallway next to our kitchen on November 28, 2025. Original: _Z727125.NEF

Bear loves to sleep in the hallway, halfway between my office and my wife’s office. He’s sleeping there now, quietly snoring in the dark. He had been sleeping beside me on the couch but he’ll sometimes get up and go where it’s dark and quiet and free of cats.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
🗓️: November 28, 2025

Wet and Getting Wetter

A male cinnamon teal swims during a heavy downpour at Long Lake in Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, Washington on December 23, 2015. Original: _L1A7872.CR2

The new year is kicking off with a Trixie-approved Oregon rain here in the desert. I fell in love with the rain when we lived in the Pacific Northwest and would specifically go out to photograph in it. On this day it rained on and off but for a little while it was absolutely chucking it down. These photos of a cinnamon teal and northern shoveler were taken 18 seconds apart as they fed in Long Lake.

📷: Canon 7D II | Canon 500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4x III
🗓️: December 23, 2015

A male northern shoveler feeds during a heavy downpour at Long Lake in Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, Washington on December 23, 2015. Original: _L1A7885.CR2

Keeping An Eye Out (And Up)

A pied-billed grebe in nonbreeding plumage casts an eye to the skies as it rests in Bower Slough in Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, Washington on December 29, 2011. Original: _MG_0474.CR2

A pied-billed grebe casts an eye upwards, with the biggest threat in the skies being the bald eagles whose numbers rose in winter along with the returning waterfowl. The biggest threat to its peace were the rafts of coots who moved about the slough.

📷: Canon 7D | Canon 500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4x III
🗓️: December 29, 2011

A pied-billed grebe in nonbreeding plumage rests in Bower Slough in Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, Washington on December 29, 2011. Original: _MG_0521.CR2

Revisiting

A black-and-white version of a close-up of a juvenile great blue heron against a frosty backdrop, taken at Horse Lake at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, Washington on January 1, 2011. Original: _MG_1684.CR2

I’ve been editing a lot of old pictures recently which has let me revisit my former haunts as well. I updated the color version of this young great blue heron which has been online for a long while, but also liked a black-and-white treatment which highlights the markings on its long beak.

📷: Canon 7D | Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
🗓️: January 1, 2011