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Cactus Wren
Tucson, Arizona
Cholla cacti become weathered, leathery, and brittle once they die and begin to desiccate in the hot, dry desert air. The outer skin and spines are one of the last parts to flake and fall off before the dead plant is reduced to nothing but a smooth, wooden husk, but make no mistake: they can still provide a nasty stick. After all, these cacti aren't called "jumping cholla" for nothing! When humans go to the desert, we make a point of keeping well away from chollas, dead or alive, but the cactus wren never seems to have gotten that memo. The birds use this infamous pincushion as both a perch and a nesting site, taking advantage of the spines to build a nest most predators won't consider bothering unless truly desperate. Capturing these iconic desert birds on one of their favorite cactus perches was my main goal on this trip to southern Arizona. This individual is one of three —two adults and a juvenile— who were flying from cactus to cactus behind a nondescript building just outside the city of Tucson. As the setting sun began to provide the best light of the day, I simply set up in front of this old cholla stump and waited.
« Deserts
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