JTNP June 2021

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Finding shade at our campsite was imperative since the temperature each day was between 95 and 100 degrees. Thankfully, there was a nice breeze (gusting up to 25 mph). #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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Meet “Charlie,” the California Scrub-Jay. He kept us company the whole time we were at JTNP. He never missed a meal hopping right up on the table, less than a foot away from us and expecting a handout! #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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TThe rough bark of the Joshua Tree makes an interesting picture. It is also showing the Ladder-backed Woodpecker work. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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These #Eurasian_Collared_Doves were everywhere. They have a “cooing” sound close to that of a Mourning Dove. But they also have a call that sounds a great deal like a crow. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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Evenings were “cool,” with temperatures in the high 70s. The sunsets were beautiful despite the smog haze. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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We arrived on Memorial Day. Most of the people in the park were leaving. That suited us fine. This is the view looking to the East from our campsite. We had the #Black_Rock campsite primarily to ourselves for several days. After mid-week, people started coming back into the park. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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We knew we were past the springtime bloom, and so we were pleased to find several varieties of plants blooming nonetheless. Here, the seed pods for this Joshua Tree have dropped their pods. The ground squirrels seemed to love them. We watched as several ground squirrels climbed up to get any remaining tasty pods. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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Another frequent visitor to our campsite was a #Crissal_Thrasher. His distinctive under-tail plumage separates him from the other Thrashers. And this guy has blue as well as rufous feathers. Very handsome indeed. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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The #Crissal_Thrasher is on the run! #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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At about 3 am we got up to use the restroom, and this “Moon and Stars in the Joshua Tree” shot hit us. It was very dark, so getting this shot at all was a challenge. It’s very noisy, but still, it’s a fun shot. Penny’s Android phone did a better job than I did! #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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I was pretty used to the Scrub-Jays hopping around on the ground. They move quite fast. So, when I saw this smooth, no hopping bird dashing from bush to bush, I had to investigate. It was a #Gambel’s_Quail family. I love the tear-drop forehead feathers. It looks like they are chasing their own lure! #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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The #Gambel’s_Quail moves swiftly and smoothly from covering plant to covering plant. They are quite shy. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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At one point, there were five of these #Gambel’s_Quail all following the leader through the campsites around us. We found it all very entertaining. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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Not to be outdone by the Quail, another #Crissal_Thrasher put in an appearance. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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This particular #Crissal_Thrasher has been taking lessons from the Scrub-Jays. He came right up to us and studied us. I expect he was looking for some food too! #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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#Crissal_Thrasher was posing so that I got his “best side.” #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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The scenery is beautiful in its own way. And the desert is teeming with wildlife if you are patient, quiet, and observant. It was especially nice during the first part of the week when most of the campsites were empty. It filled up fast starting Thursday. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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Wow! This #Eurasian_Collared_Dove landed in a tree right above my head. My camera was sitting in my lab, waiting for a fun shot. How lucky can a guy be? #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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#Baby_Squirrel, who could easily fit in the palm of my hand, had a home in this #Yucca_Plant. He sat and observed me. While he wouldn’t come close, he also wouldn’t scurry away if I was sitting still. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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It’s hard to tell from this picture, but this little guy is no bigger than a minute. I hope he keeps hiding because I know a hungry hawk was circling above, looking for his next meal. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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I’m not sure what, but Baby #Squirrel found something to nibble on while he watched me. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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Before long, Mr. #Crissle_Thrasher showed up to check out what the #Squirrel was eating. Too late, though, the squirrel was unwilling to share and scampered off to another part of the #Yucca_Plant. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos

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Apparently, we humans leave lots of food scraps around. The animals were all having a ball in the now-vacated campsites. #Wildlife, #Birds, #Desert, #JTNP, #Joshua_Tree_National_Park, #CA, #Nikon, #D810, #withmytamron, #SCPCphotos