Category: Mammals

Singing in the Rain

Singing in the Rain.

Friday thunderstorms moved through and we got drenched, with more steady rains on Saturday, and even a short shower this morning. You can hear the desert singing in the rain as the cacti soak up and store what they can, the washes fill and flow, and harbor seals come out to play.

📷: Canon 7D II | Canon 500 f/4 + 1.4X
🗓️: October 7, 2017

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

Objects In Camera Are Further Than They Appear

A close-up of the head and neck of a western diamondback rattlesnake on the Latigo Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on June 2, 2024. Original: _A674804.ARW

While waiting for the diamondback to fully leave the trail, I took a water break and continued on. I was surprised to see it was still there on the other side of the bush and even more surprised by what was blocking its path. There are many creatures that will kill and eat a rattlesnake but I don’t think the desert cottontail is on that list. The rabbit had hopped across the trail while I was waiting, I was a little surprised since it clearly saw me and it must have seen the snake.

I took some quick pictures, zoomed all the way in on the snake, all the way out on the rabbit. I continued up the trail as I felt I was too close to not impact the outcome of the standoff, whatever it may be (I don’t think the snake was interested in the rabbit). When I passed back by, the only sign of the brief encounter was the thin strip in the sand where the snake first crossed the trail.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: June 2, 2024

A desert cottontail leans forward with ears at full attention as it watches a rattlesnake (not in the picture) on the Latigo Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on June 2, 2024. Original: _A674804.ARW

Built-in Back-Scratchers

A mule deer buck preens surrounded by desert plants on the Latigo Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 16, 2023. Original: _RAC9671.ARW

I was doing some macro photography of prickly pear paddles when I noticed a buck in the desert scrub behind me. It slowly approached as it grazed, then crossed the trail and continued further south. After I finished the shots he was still in sight and clearly comfortable with me so I sidled down the trail with my telephoto setup, finding a location where I could surround the fine fellow with the desert plants for context. I love watching animals preen, especially those without hands, he was using his teeth though he did have some nice built-in back-scratchers at his disposal. I had trouble getting the focus to lock and most shots were blurry, it was the kick in the pants I needed to order the A6700.

📷: Sony A6600 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: November 16, 2023

Over the Hill

A young buck pauses at the top of the ridge, the morning sun falling on its face, in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona. Original: _A675948.ARW

A young buck pauses at the top of the ridge, most of the herd having gone before, before it too crossed over the hill and out of sight. I had a chance to watch the herd for a long while as they snacked on mistletoe berries on this lovely winter morning. Despite it being a popular trail and a Saturday to boot, no one else came past, such a peaceful start to the day.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: January 27, 2024

Brown in Green

A coyote is surrounded by tall green grasses in a meadow along the auto tour at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, Washington on May 29, 2005. Original: IMG_9021.CR2

Bear and I saw a coyote on a neighborhood walk recently, they’re not uncommon but I hear them more than I see them, especially at night when I like to go out back and look at the stars and listen to the quiet. I’ve never seen one when I had an appropriate camera with me however, all part of their cunning plans. That wasn’t the case at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge though where I saw them many times hunting in the meadows and marshes along the auto tour.

📷: Canon 20D | Canon 100-400mm
🗓️: May 29, 2005