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Into Shadow

Shadows creep towards the mountains from atop the Marcus Landslide Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 22, 2024. Original: _Z720869.NEF

Shadows crept towards the mountains as Bear and I looked down from atop the old landslide. We were like Frodo & Sam about to head into Mordor. Except we only had a mile and a half to go. On well-groomed trails. In perfect weather. With no one hunting us. And plenty of water and snacks.

Otherwise just like Frodo & Sam.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 27-40 f/4
🗓️: November 22, 2024

Stages of a Young Monster’s Development

A young Gila monster climbs a boulder in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 25, 2024. Original: _A672816.ARW

A month after seeing a young Gila monster Bear and I came across another one climbing up a boulder next to the trail, our fourth (!) and final monster of the year. Further along in time and development, this one has entered the semi-chonk phase. The younger one pictured below in a similar pose is still in its non-chonk phase, with a thinner torso and deflated tail.

A very young Gila monster climbs a boulder in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 28, 2024. Original: _A671559.ARW

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: May 25, 2024 (top image)
🗓️: April 28, 2024 (bottom image)

Family Portrait

A family of mule deer stands near a saguaro and other cacti with mountains in the distance. Taken on Powerline Road No. 2 in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 27, 2024. Original: _ZFC1581.NEF

Yesterday near the trailhead many families used the desert as a backdrop as they had their portraits taken by professional photographers. This family had to settle for a random passerby, but at least no one’s eyes are closed! We’ve met this family on the trails before, they have three little ones in their charge and alert to us but don’t show any further signs of stress. I don’t know if they’re reading his body language but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how calm wildlife is around Bear.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 24-200mm
🗓️: November 27, 2024

Some Days Fill Your Soul

A young Gila monster flicks out its tongue as it descends a nearly vertical rock face in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 28, 2024. Original: _A671251.ARW

Bear and I stopped in a lovely spot for a water break on a warm spring afternoon. We had the trail to ourselves so I lingered, not ready to let the moment pass, I had been back at work a couple of months and missed hiking with him each day. As we finally gathered up to leave I noticed someone left a colorful shirt on a boulder, I didn’t have a trash bag but if it wasn’t too disgusting I was going to pack it out.

Except the shirt turned into a Gila monster, only if someone let all the air out. We had a great view as it tentatively explored its surroundings, climbing up and down nearly vertical rock faces. I had my telephoto with me and we spent half an hour watching it until I filled up my memory card and besides, we needed to get back before closing.

Given its thinness I thought it very young or old or sick, my impression was its slow movements were from uncertainty rather than infirmity. I found it hard to believe even a young monster could be that big but I consulted my big lizard book when I got home and it said hatchlings average over 6 inches long.

There are days on the trails that fill your soul, moments you remember all your life, a joy and a blessing just to witness.