Scratcher of heads, rubber of bellies
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
You never know where you’re going to come across a Jedi. Some are rather small but don’t comment on it, they’re rather sensitive about it.
📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: September 21, 2024
When you’re well hidden in a tree and definitely no one can see you.
📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: May 27, 2024
A pair of owls owns the high ground, bathed in the last light of the setting sun. I trained Bear on the trails in this area though we haven’t been back since the desert to the east burned.
📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-200
🗓️: March 28, 2023
With the setting sun disappearing behind western hills, a Gambel’s quail and I bid each other good evening.
📷: Sony A6600 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: April 2, 2022
It’s been another dry summer so The Elephant is a shadow of her normal self. I suppose the same could be said of Bear and I. Even with long shadows from the rising sun I couldn’t get his to pop up high enough, I need to get him some stilts. I always try to sneak in some wildlife into my shots, there’s a red-tailed hawk perched atop one of the distant saguaros.
📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
🗓️: September 15, 2024
Yesterday I took advantage of the long weekend and a good night’s sleep to get up before sunrise to take Bear for a hike, our first in several months. I had thoughts of taking him up to The Amphitheater this morning but last night’s sleep was a mess so I slept in. Sorry pup. The picture is from our intended destination but taken in the winter right before my leave of absence ended.
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: February 15, 2024
One in a long series of pictures exploring changing light in the desert, in this instance a kestrel eating a small rodent that didn’t quite make it to the relative safety of the night, growing shadows nearly enveloping them both.
📷: Sony A6600 | Canon 500mm | Canon 1.4X
🗓️: December 19, 2021
The Woodpecker Hotel is one of my favorite saguaros, quite the survivor to get this old and this big. I wonder how many animals owe their lives in part to the giant, from what must be hundreds of woodpeckers who were born in its arms to countless creatures who fed on its flowers and fruit. I hadn’t planned on photographing it on this occasion as Bear and I headed back to the car but I couldn’t resist when I saw the hawk perched on top.
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: February 15, 2024
A long thin beak necessitates a long thin tongue. We had a ton of bougainvillea when we moved in years ago but had it ripped out as it was a nightmare to maintain. The local wildlife misses it as our backyard is rather sparse now but this is not entirely a bad thing with Bear around. I do miss gardening from our time in Portland but I don’t have the bandwidth for it here. Something to look forward to in retirement though I’ll need some lessons as I have no idea how to grow things in an area where everything stabs you.
📷: Sony A6500 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: May 12, 2019
Boolie 