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The Fallen

A fallen tree lies along Vickery Creek in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Roswell, Georgia

I took the Christmas tree down today and post this picture of a fallen tree in memory of Emma & The Tree She Loved Too Much. Perhaps old age or disease or storm damage felled this one but I wouldn’t be too surprised if there’s a black panther haunting Vickery Creek that loved to sleep high in its branches and one night made it a little too top heavy for its base to support.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: February 2, 2024

New Horizons

Our dog Bear stands near saguaros on the Axle Grease Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 16, 2024. Original: _ZFC9192.NEF

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

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