Tag: Arizona

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

Jane Rau Station

Our dog Bear sits next to his water bowl with his tongue hanging out on the Jane Rau Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 19, 2024. Original: _A676578.ARW

The weather cooled down briefly last weekend so I took Bear on a couple of hikes. When we’re at Brown’s Ranch if we have time & he has the energy, I often finish off with the short Jane Rau Trail. There’s an overlook half-way round I call the Jane Rau Station, we stop here for water and snacks before heading home. This is from last weekend, he was pretty gassed this morning so we went straight to the car. He loves the desert, this pup.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sigma 19mm f/2.8
🗓️: October 19, 2024