Tag: saguaro

A Gila woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis)

emerges from her nest cavity in a saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea), Glendale, Arizona.

I spotted mama Gila while photographing saguaro blossoms at the local library. She popped out unexpectedly, but she seemed agitated by my presence, which was my cue to stop shooting. Birds that are made uncomfortable by people that get too close can usually just fly off, which isn’t the case with birds with a nest full of eggs or babies. When an animal signals distress or anxiety it’s time to move away. 

A Gila woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis)

emerges from her nest cavity in a saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea), Glendale, Arizona.

I spotted mama Gila while photographing saguaro blossoms at the local library. She popped out unexpectedly, but she seemed agitated by my presence, which was my cue to stop shooting. Birds that are made uncomfortable by people that get too close can usually just fly off, which isn’t the case with birds with a nest full of eggs or babies. When an animal signals distress or anxiety it’s time to move away.