From Randi Najac

There’s something about a screech owl that just always looks so grumpy!!

I feel like he’s saying, “Hey lady, keep on walking! I’ve got one more hour of sunlight and then I’m going hunting!”

Western screech owl (in a saguaro cactus), Arizona, March, 2025

  • pseudo
    4·
    2 days ago

    I don’t have cactus in my country. I love to see it in your post. They are much more than the vague image I got on them from cartoons and tiny potted once. They are very much like trees, looking very woody when dried and nesting animals.

    Thanks for sharing <3

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      4·
      2 days ago

      They are very important parts of the desert ecosystem! I hope to someday soon get to go to that part of the country myself and see them in person, along with all the fancy rock formations and canyons.

      • marron12@lemmy.world
        2·
        19 hours ago

        It’s impressive to see the big ones in person. It takes them about 70 years to get 6 feet tall. They can live to be 150 and weigh over a ton. Seeing how the sun reflects off of the stone cliffs at sunset is neat too (Arizona). And how many stars you can see at night.

        I don’t miss the desert (I’m made for the cold), but there are fascinating things about it.

        • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
          2·
          11 hours ago

          That is pretty impressive!

          I also prefer it cooler, but there’s just too much neat looking stuff in the SW to not check it out.

          With the Park Service under fire though, we’re taking our trip somewhere more guaranteed this year. 😔