Soaking Up Some Rays

I left the house this morning in coat and gloves and hat, and still shivered when I stepped out of the car at Catalina State Park. But soon enough the sun crested the high Catalinas to the east, and with the other participants in the Friday morning walk, I shed my outer layers to soak up some welcome warmth.

We weren’t alone. A Greater Roadrunner emerged from the desert forest to seek a sunny spot, where it raised its back feathers to expose dark down and skin to the rays.

If you click on the photo, you’ll go to a video demonstrating just how bold this creature can be in its search for the sunniest possible spot–which this morning, apparently, was the spot we were standing on!