Desert Phainopepla and Dragonfly
by Judy Kennedy
Title
Desert Phainopepla and Dragonfly
Artist
Judy Kennedy
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) means “shining robe” and it’s glossy back for males like this one and gray for females. These crested songbirds have piercing red eyes and love fruit - especially the berries of the desert mistletoe. Native to the American southwest and northern Mexico, they are most often seen in riparian and xeroriparian areas of the desert where trees and shrubs proliferate. When threatened they can mimic at least 13 other birds to throw the would-be predator off. I often see them high up on perches like this one singing their hearts out in desert washes. This photo was taken about 50 miles south of Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, and was photo-bombed by a dragonfly!
Uploaded
January 12th, 2019
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