Tag: Latigo Trail

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

The Elephant & Bear & I

The shadows of Bear and I fall next to the saguaro I call The Elephant in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on September 15, 2024. Original: _Z720733.NEF

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

The Woodpecker Hotel

A Harris's hawk perches on a large saguaro pocked with woodpecker nests on the Latigo Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 15, 2024. Original: _ZFC1322.NEF

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