Scratcher of heads, rubber of bellies
During my time off I’ve loved taking Bear to trails I normally avoid as they are crowded on the weekends, stepping aside to let people past is the most common way he steps on something painful. Here we’re taking a water break at the junction of the Axle Grease and Rock Tank trails, it was a Tuesday so we only encountered a few people. I’m not sure he cares but I enjoy seeing him discover new places.
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: January 16, 2024
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: February 2, 2024
📷: Sony A6700 | Sony-Zeiss 24mm f/1.8
🗓️: December 11, 2023
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: February 2, 2024
I have photographed owls here with a variety of focal lengths over the past year, in December I lugged out my biggest telephoto for a close view. As the sun sank behind a mountain, my favorite moment as usual was when the last bit of soft light fell on the sleepy hunter. It was so lovely and peaceful but I had mixed feelings as locals have created two paths that look like they lead directly beneath the boulders. In a Phoenix park there’s a successful nest in a saguaro right next to an official trail, so perhaps these owls will also tolerate the human intrusion, just wish they didn’t have to.
📷: Sony A6700 | Canon 500mm | Canon 1.4X
🗓️: December 27, 2023
A couple of weeks ago as Bear and I had Balanced Rock to ourselves I was forcefully struck at how I was happier than I had been in a very long time. Not that there hadn’t been plenty of happy times in the years prior but that after several months of leave my mind had finally unwound and let me stay and revel in each little moment. Surprisingly rather than the euphoria slipping away with the realization my leave was about to come to a crashing halt, it stayed with me as we hiked back out through this stunning land.
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: January 26, 2024
Bear and I haven’t been hiking in four days, a mix of me being run down for a few days after my second Shingles shot and the desert getting some much needed rain. The nearest park prefers you not hike in the rain and I haven’t felt up to driving further afield, particularly not with the work commute resuming in a week. It’s chucking it down at the moment, Bear is softly snoring beside me with both cats zonked out on my legs.
📷: Sony A6700 | Sony-Zeiss 24mm f/1.8
🗓️: December 23, 2023
A phainopepla and a house finch take refuge in the sprawling arms of an old ocotillo, which also nestle a young-ish saguaro as its older aunts and uncles look on from afar.
📷: Sony A6600 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: October 26, 2023
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: February 1, 2024
Yesterday I returned from a trip and Bear was so excited his feet did the happy dance Ellie used to do when I got home from work. He kept running around the house so I took him out for a lovely 6.5 mile hike. Today we took an easy 2.5 mile walk as I had an appointment for my second Shingles vaccine in the early afternoon, at the moment he’s snoozing beside me as he was in this picture from a month ago.
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: January 11, 2024
Boolie 