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Amanda who is a biologist & her husband Paul were kind enough to let me tag along on one of her endangered Mexican Spotted Owl Surveys (Thank you!!!). I will be the first to admit I stink at photographing anything with feathers, but the real joy came from the nesting pair being successful with this youngin. I was so caught up taking pictures trying to get it right when I look over at a birder named Matt who also tagged along on the trip and there he was standing with his mouth agape 100% mesmerized by what was taking place in front of him. I stopped clicking then so I too could really SEE the mother owl retrieve the mouse and take it to the baby. I feel very lucky to have been a part of this. This baby needs to fight to make it as the survival rate is very low for baby Mexican Spotted Owls. Monsoons are definitely present in Southern Arizona. A water bug closeup. I was actually to surprised to see what they look like up close. Paul pointed out this beautifully camouflaged Canyon Tree Frog. The dove is nesting above an alligator enclosure. Not the smartest idea. I believe this is a Sierran Tree Frog, but I've most often heard it called a Chorus Tree Frog. Yikes! He was calm for awhile, but then got grumpy. California King Snake on the water's edge. Adorable family of masked bandits in a palm tree outside a local golf course. They were young and tolerant of my picture taking Someday I will take an excellent elk picture, but for now I get to practice on the Salt River horses. Nice blue eye on this young one.