In their natural habitat?

Women's or Men's?

Photos by Carol Tornow 10/9/10

Make sure you're one of the lucky few to spot these canyon beauties before they disappear from view. Take a walk on the road today.

Don't smoke it!

Sacred Datura 10/09/10

Thanks to Angie P for this lovely photo from today's walk with Ned. According to Fireflyforest  "All parts of this plant are poisonous and contain toxic tropane alkaloids including hyoscyamine (an isomer of atropine) and scopolamine (hyoscine). The seeds are hallucinogenic, but ingestion can be fatal." Have some sunflower seeds instead. 

Don't call this guy 'yellow'!

Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin, Photo from Ned Harris

According to BugGuide.net, this bug "pounces on Honey Bees and other pollinating insects. It holds the captive in its powerful legs, thrusts its cutting beak into the victim's back, injects an immobilizing digestive agent, then sucks out the body juices." Yikes. 

The canyon's zaniest grasshoppers

Panther-spotted Grasshoppers. Photos by Ned Harris from 10/6/10.

Now for some herps!

Canyon Tree Frog 9/28/10

Ornate Tree Lizard 9/28/10

How about that camouflage? Thanks to Angie P for both photos, taken on a walk with Gary TLG (The Lizard Guy). Tree frog was seen in frog cave, tree lizard near the dam bridge. 

Getting serious about mountain lions

Mt. Lion at the Desert Museum, Photo by Ned Harris

I admit I had been feeling envious of everyone who's seen a mountain lion in Sabino Canyon. After talking to the Forest Service biologist on Friday, though, I understand that we shouldn't be seeing mountain lions in Sabino Canyon, and especially not close up. Unless we work to give the lions a decidedly negative encounter with humans, they are going to continue to come too close, someone is going to get hurt or killed, and then the lion will be trapped and killed. There are no other interventions. Trapping and relocating is not an option. Why not? Because there's no where to relocate a mountain lion who is unafraid of humans. No where.
If you see a mountain lion, throw rocks, if you can get them without bending down or breaking eye contact. Don't have rocks? Throw your water bottle. Throw your whistle. Throw your pack. Throw your ipod, if it comes to that. Make noise. Look big. Even the 2 cubs born this year are big enough to kill you. We have to teach them to be afraid.
Bottom line: If you want a photo of a mountain lion, go to the Desert Museum. Otherwise, look big, make noise, throw things. Your life (and theirs) depends on it. 

Green is always 'in'!

Agnes, Alexa, Anne, Carol  9/28/10
Photo 'Patrol Beauties' by Maggie

You, too, can wear the badge of the Santa Catalina Volunteer Patrol! Recruiting now for training in February 2011. Join us!