Tag: McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Over the Hill

A young buck pauses at the top of the ridge, the morning sun falling on its face, in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona. Original: _A675948.ARW

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

Crustal Foundering

A macro shot of the damaged end of a saguaro arm where the blackened protective material has cracked, showing the lighter material underneath, taken in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 12, 2024. Originals: _Z729316.NEF to _Z729361.NEF

When I saw the damaged end of a saguaro arm where the blackened protective material had cracked, showing the lighter material underneath, I was reminded of lava lakes in Hawaii and Iceland. The lava on the surface cools and hardens and can sink into the less dense molten lava via a process called crustal foundering. It took me a while to find the time to bring my macro setup on a day when there was little wind, and even then it took me a few attempts as the breeze was often stronger than predicted.

The National Park Service has a description on their page about Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 105mm macro
🗓️: May 12, 2024

Down With the Thickness

A Gila monster explores the rocky edge of a trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 14, 2024. Original: A677539.ARW

That the Gila monster is the largest native lizard in the US only tells part of the story, to me their almost ridiculous girth is more impressive than their length. I half expect the earth to tremble beneath my feet after each of their deliberate steps. This was the first one Bear and I saw this year, having crossed in front of us it explored the edge of the trail before trundling off into the brush.

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

Watch Your Step

A western diamondback rattlesnake crosses the trail at McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 26, 2024. Original: _ZFC1520.NEF

I saw the diamondback before Bear did, the wind was swirling which undoubtedly threw off his sniffer, plus it was partially obscured on the right side of the trail. As soon as he recognized it he got behind me and gently tugged on the leash in the other direction (he’s trained to give them a wide berth). We stayed well back and gave it room to cross the trail and we last saw it exploring some rocks on the other side.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: April 26, 2024

Backlit

A Gila monster walks across the trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 14, 2024. Original: _A677479.ARW

There are magical experiences on the trails you never forget and I’ve had several this spring. The first was when I was walking Bear and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw one of my favorite creatures ever sauntering across the trail. We had each seen Gila monsters before but this was our first together and only my fourth overall. Thankfully I had my telephoto lens with me that day, not the best picture but I love every moment with these stunning lizards, such a rare treat.

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