Tag: Bear

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

Bear & The Amphitheater

Our dog Bear stands on a large boulder with his tongue out at The Amphitheater in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 15, 2024. Original: _ZFC1102.NEF

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

First Day

A close-up of our newly adopted dog Bear relaxes on our bed on April 3, 2022. Original: _ZFC6566.NEF

Bear on his first day with us a couple of years ago, he’s grown (and shrunk) so much since then.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: April 3, 2022

Desert Defenses

Our dog Bear lays on his back as he plays with a saguaro dog toy, which was designed for dogs who are rough with their toys, as it can lose its outer skin but still have an internal cactus for the dog to play with. Taken on June 22, 2024. Original: _Z720019.NEF

Saguaros have evolved many traits to survive the harsh desert climate. If played with too roughly, they can shed their arms and outer skin, revealing an internal cactus complete with its own second skin, right down to the mustache. The new armless saguaro is better able to withstand even the most ardent of loves.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
🗓️: June 22, 2024

Not a Junkyard Dog

Our dog Bear looks into the distance while standing in front of a water tank covered in graffiti on Service Road No. 4 in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona. Original: _ZFC8970.NEF

“Not a Junkyard Dog”

This old tank covered in graffiti is my favorite reminder this once was not preserved parkland. I think Bear was watching some hikers over on the Whiskey Bottle Trail, he’s generally not one for looking in the camera and that’s OK. Most of the park is lush with plants and animals and doesn’t resemble the entrance to a junkyard but I do enjoy photographing the tank whenever we’re in the area.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: January 6, 2024