Yes, there will be a second quiz. Coming soon!
Answers to Spring Quiz one
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Red Rainbow
Rainbow at sunset 2/14/2017
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| Photo by Marty Horowitz 2/14/2017 |
Info on rainbow physics and angles. Thanks, Marty!
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
Anderson Dam rocks!
Anderson Dam (near shuttle stop 8) shows gneiss layering of the 1400-million-year-old Oracle granite (dark) and 50-million-year-old Wilderness granite (light).
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| Photos copyright Marty Horowitz 2/3/2017 |
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Monday, February 20, 2017
Tutorial Time!
Spring has sprung in Sabino Canyon and that means it's time to (re-)learn spring flowers. First up, the Borage family tutorial from 2016.
Six parts:
Six parts:
Quiz later :-)
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Night moves
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| Photo by Bill Kaufman's trail camera 2/15/2017 |
This bobkitten was on the prowl in Bill's yard late one night. Shiny eyes are from the flash : -)
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Mystery
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| Photo (c) Dancing Snake Nature Photography 2/15/2017 |
The one and only Serpent Princess sent this photo of mysterious balls in a Foothills Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla). We think these silk-covered balls are egg sacs, but seven seems unusually fecund, even for a spider. Any experts out there who can confirm or deny?
Friday, February 17, 2017
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Nothin' but blue sky
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| Photo by Marty Horowitz 1/25/2017 |
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| Photo by Marty Horowitz 1/30/2017 |
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| Photo by Marty Horowitz 2/7/2017 |
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Solar Powered
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| Photo by Marty Horowitz 2/7/2017 |
Early rising Ornate Tree Lizard shows darker colors to better absorb solar energy to power through the day. More on color changes in ectotherms in this great article from Marty.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Tip to tail
My Honey-Matt and I went hiking at Saguaro East on Saturday (2/11/2017), as it tends to be far less crowded there on the weekends (and that's the only time we have for hiking now). We were thrilled to encounter this well-camouflaged, at least 4'-long Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake. Note the spine in her/his head!
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| All Photos by Matt Ball 2/11/2017 |
Monday, February 13, 2017
Take me to your feeder!
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| Photo by Marty Horowitz 2/7/2017 |
A well-fed looking Round-tailed Ground Squirrel attempts to intimidate Marty into surrendering his house keys. Resist, Marty! Resist!
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Friday, February 10, 2017
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Wrens seen and heard
Photos by Marty Horowitz
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| 1/18/2017 |
From the link (All about Birds):
No bird exemplifies Southwestern deserts better than the noisy Cactus Wren. At all hours of the day they utter a raw scratchy noise that sounds like they are trying to start a car. Cactus Wrens are always up to something, whether hopping around on the ground, fanning their tails, scolding their neighbors, or singing from the tops of cacti. They build nests the size and shape of footballs which they use during the breeding and nonbreeding season. Cactus Wrens are true desert dwellers; they can survive without needing to drink freestanding water.
The Cactus Wren is the state bird of Arizona!
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| 1/30/2017 |
From the link:
The Rock Wren usually builds a pavement or walkway of small, flat stones or pebbles that leads to the nest cavity. The nest is usually located in a rock crevice out of sight, but the pavement may give away the nest's location. The function of this pavement is unknown.
The Rock Wren also needs no standing water to drink.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Monday, February 6, 2017
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Remains of decay
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| Photo by Jim De Young 1/25/2017 |
Thanks to Jim (and Jan) for this colorful example of a decaying Prickly Pear pad.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Pretty Bird
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| All photos by Marty Horowitz 1/30/2017 |
Marty writes:
The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon; present year-round in the canyon, but not seen very often. When observed, it often prefers to perch on saguaro tops.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Even more dam (and bridge) water
I went out to Sabino this (1/21/2017) afternoon and saw all of the stream crossing were absolutely impassable. Rattlesnake was running, and I noticed a few small running creeks I never knew existed. Some of the west bank edges above the dam had collapsed. I took a few photos (see below). Mother Nature still rules!!
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| All Photos by Fred Heath 1/21/2017 |
Bridge one
Sabino Dam
Dam Bridge
Bear Canyon Bridge (is under there)
Thanks, Fred, for being on the scene!
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Contrast
Window Peak area with ponderosa pines (~7200 ft elevation); note saguaro in foreground (~4200 ft elevation)
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| Photo by Marty Horowitz 1/28/2017 |
Click on this photo for a larger view!
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Ephemeral Beauty
Frost spikes on prickly pear skeleton, 1/25/2017
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| All photos by Marty Horowitz 1/25/2017 |
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