Blog

Holme-next-the-Sea

A close-up view of a cactus flower that reminds me of ancient peoples gathered round the inverted tree at Holme-next-the-Sea in England, commonly known now as Seahenge. Originals: _ZFC8935.NEF to _ZFC9009.NEF

A close-up view of a cactus flower that reminds me of ancient peoples gathered round the inverted tree at Holme-next-the-Sea in England, commonly known now as Seahenge.

📷: Nikon Zfc | Nikon 105mm macro
🗓️: August 27, 2022

Sorry Little One

A pair of legs and tail feathers of a young Harris’ hawk lie scattered on the desert floor in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 27, 2023. Original: _Z726694.NEF

The world is often beautiful but rarely kind, as all the little creatures fed to this young hawk discovered, and eventually the hawk learned too. From what I could see only the legs and a pile of feathers remained, as honey-colored ants recycled what little soft tissue and fluids remained. Bear and I didn’t hike this trail again until weeks later when the only signs of this once beautiful life were a few feathers scattered on the desert floor.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 105mm macro
🗓️: October 27, 2023

Expansive Views

A loggerhead shrike perches in the arms of an ocotillo in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 20, 2024. Origial: _A676712.ARW

Like saguaros, ocotillos provide winged predators perches with expansive views of the desert floor. Even when they leaf out, their leaves are small and don’t stay long. Their thinner arms generally host smaller predators like kestrels or this loggerhead shrike, but in the far distance I could seen an ancient ocotillo entertaining a Harris’ hawk.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: October 20, 2024