desert – Page 10

Built-in Back-Scratchers

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

The Courtship Ritual

We came across this roadrunner with a dead zebra-tailed lizard in its mouth and hung back so as not to scare it off its meal. Instead of eating it though it repeatedly made long calls, I assume a courtship ritual and Bear and I were both rather flattered. Eventually it crossed over and started again from a more distant perch, at which point I felt we could continue on without disturbing it.

The desert is full of surprises.

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

Not a Junkyard Dog

“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

Soaptree Pom-Pom

A close-up of a dried-out flower stalk and leaf skirt of a soaptree yucca.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony-Zeiss 24mm f/1.8
🗓️: January 24, 2024

Living in the Big House

A rock squirrel shows off its expansive home.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-200
🗓️: April 13, 2024

Shift Change

After the female Gila woodpecker flew up to the nest, the male poked his head out and got ready to leave.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: February 14, 2024

Where There’s Smoke

Last weekend as I drove Bear home from our hike I saw smoke in the distant foothills. At home I could see through my long lens that the firefighters had it under control, yet another fire started by new home construction. Usually they’e put out pretty quickly but last year one got out of control and burned a swath of the desert.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: May 11, 2024

25 Minutes Later

After Bear and I saw a Gila monster this year I couldn’t help but wonder how long it would be until I saw another as it was only my 4th in 6 years. The answer, it turns out, was 25 minutes, which is how long it took for us to continue up the trail and find this beauty. Two in one day!

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: April 14, 2024

Tree Topper

Perhaps this winter I should top the Christmas tree with a phainopepla ornament, they certainly make a lovely tree topper. Desert mistletoe berries are a favored food but I’ll pass on replicating the debris field of detritus beneath them, fresh clumps are a giveaway of a preferred perch.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: February 14, 2024

Over the Hill

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