Scratcher of heads, rubber of bellies
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
With the sun sinking in the west an old saguaro gives a pair of kestrels an expansive view of the desert floor.
📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 105mm macro
🗓️: November 6, 2022
The title is a bit of an exaggeration but during our first year in Arizona while we were choosing where to settle down, it was the abundance and diversity of the fauna and flora that led me to our neck of the woods.
📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 105mm macro
🗓️: November 6, 2022
📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 105mm macro
🗓️: November 6, 2022
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
Boolie 