Scratcher of heads, rubber of bellies
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
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
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: January 26, 2024
📷: Sony A6700 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: April 20, 2024
Bear and I take a water break in a spot where perhaps neither human nor dog has ever set foot before. I so miss being able to take him hiking every day! We were back here yesterday, I didn’t think we’d have time for this short trail at the end but he charged around our favorite loop so fast that even after stopping to watch a herd of deer we still had plenty of time to come up here and take a water break before heading home.
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: January 19, 2024
A Harris’s hawk pops open the escape hatch at the top of mature saguaros.
📷: Sony A6500 | Sony 100-400mm | Sony 1.4X
🗓️: February 20, 2022
A thunderstorm brews to the east of Witch Hazel, far enough away I had plenty of time to get off the trails before the storm arrived.
📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70mm f/4
🗓️: August 7, 2022
During my time off I’ve loved taking Bear to trails I normally avoid as they are crowded on the weekends, stepping aside to let people past is the most common way he steps on something painful. Here we’re taking a water break at the junction of the Axle Grease and Rock Tank trails, it was a Tuesday so we only encountered a few people. I’m not sure he cares but I enjoy seeing him discover new places.
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: January 16, 2024
I have photographed owls here with a variety of focal lengths over the past year, in December I lugged out my biggest telephoto for a close view. As the sun sank behind a mountain, my favorite moment as usual was when the last bit of soft light fell on the sleepy hunter. It was so lovely and peaceful but I had mixed feelings as locals have created two paths that look like they lead directly beneath the boulders. In a Phoenix park there’s a successful nest in a saguaro right next to an official trail, so perhaps these owls will also tolerate the human intrusion, just wish they didn’t have to.
📷: Sony A6700 | Canon 500mm | Canon 1.4X
🗓️: December 27, 2023
A couple of weeks ago as Bear and I had Balanced Rock to ourselves I was forcefully struck at how I was happier than I had been in a very long time. Not that there hadn’t been plenty of happy times in the years prior but that after several months of leave my mind had finally unwound and let me stay and revel in each little moment. Surprisingly rather than the euphoria slipping away with the realization my leave was about to come to a crashing halt, it stayed with me as we hiked back out through this stunning land.
📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: January 26, 2024
Boolie 