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Mixed Feelings

A great horned owl perches with its eyes closed in the last light of the day in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on December 27, 2023. Original: _A672991.ARW

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

On Top of the World

Our dog Bear looks out from atop the big boulder at Balanced Rock in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 26, 2024. Original: _ZFC9268.NEF

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

The Running Dog

Our dog Bear relaxes on the carpet in a running pose.

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 Wee Bit Excited

Our black lab Bear sprawls out on my couch on January 11, 2024. Original: _ZFC9026.NEF

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

Terror of the Saguaro

A green lynx spider eats a leaf-footed cactus bug on a saguaro in Scottsdale, Arizona on March 18, 2022. Originals: _ZFC4811.NEF to _ZFC4842.NEF

A green lynx spider sets to devouring the insides of a leaf-footed cactus bug. It never left a small region high in one of our saguaros, it would spin a thread and attach it to a spine, giving it freedom to leap after prey without fear of falling. I watched its reign of terror over the course of several months, it had no qualms about going after insects larger than itself, until one day I found its lifeless body swaying in the breeze, hanging from a large spine.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 105mm macro
🗓️: March 18, 2022

Half Covered

Half covered by a blanket, our cat Boo snuggles against my legs as we relaxed on the couch on January 13, 2024. Original: _ZFC9075.NEF

Half covered by the blanket, Boo snuggles against my legs as we relaxed on the couch.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50mm DX
🗓️: January 13, 2024