Tag: saguaro

The Embrace of Old Friends

A close-up view of the root of an old saguaro wrapping around the waxy base of an old ocotillo in the Sonoran Desert, taken on the Chuckwagon Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 8, 2023. Originals: _Z729938.NEF to _Z729969.NEF

As long as she stands the Elephant will be my desert favorite but this is my favorite close-up. The woody bit in the lower left is the exposed root of a saguaro, the rest the glory that is the ocotillo. I like to think these two old friends grew up embracing, shading each other from the unrelenting sun but one never overshadowing the other.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 105mm macro
🗓️: October 8, 2023

Subtle Hints

A great horned owl perches in a palo verde while a massive saguaro towers in the background in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on

I’ve seen a number of owls while walking Bear the past couple of years and have focused on taking environmental portraits to highlight how different their home is here compared to the other places I’ve lived. In this picture I used an extremely subtle hint to suggest this owl lives in the Sonoran Desert.

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

Family Portrait

A family of mule deer stands near a saguaro and other cacti with mountains in the distance. Taken on Powerline Road No. 2 in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 27, 2024. Original: _ZFC1581.NEF

Yesterday near the trailhead many families used the desert as a backdrop as they had their portraits taken by professional photographers. This family had to settle for a random passerby, but at least no one’s eyes are closed! We’ve met this family on the trails before, they have three little ones in their charge and alert to us but don’t show any further signs of stress. I don’t know if they’re reading his body language but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how calm wildlife is around Bear.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 24-200mm
🗓️: November 27, 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