The southwestern deserts of North America are as parched and dry as any other desert, but they have been the home of native cultures long before any Europeans set foot on the continent.  Among them are the Hopi and Zuni peoples (also known as Pueblo Indians), tribes that have learned the ways of the desert and have fostered a respect and reverence for the land and all its creatures.  Part of their traditional beliefs include "Katchinas" - spirit beings that embody the essence or concept of a part of nature.  Kachinas are represented in many ways in Native American art, but one of the most striking is that of the Ceremonial Dancer.  "When a Hopi man places a mask upon his head and wears the appropriate costume and body paint, he believes that he has lost his personal identity and has received the spirit of the kachina he is supposed to represent." (from wikipedia)

This skin is one of the more common depictions of the Eagle Kachina costume, represents strength and power.