Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Corrections

tucson.com (aka Arizona Daily Star) recently ran a series of lizard photos; several were mislabeled. Let's take a look at two that are easy to misidentify: Greater Earless vs. Zebra-tailed. Both species are about the same size and shape, and both wag their tails to distract predators. Using a few tips and tricks, you can tell them apart.


Photo by Ned Harris 6/26/2015

Click on the photo for a larger view. Note the two bars near the back leg. Note also the lack of black bands on the tail. This is a Greater Earless. (Obvious bars near the groin mean male.) Bars at all near the groin - think: G for groin, G for Greater Earless. (More photos at the link.)



Photo by Gene Spesard 6/13/2015

Click on this photo, too. Note the dark bars are NOT by the back leg. They are by the front leg (armpit). A for Armpit means A Zebra-tailed : -) Note also that the dark bands on the tail go all the way around. (Look, too, at the photos on the linked page.)



Photo by Ned Harris 6/26/2015

In the lizard world, females and juveniles are generally more subtle in terms of colors and markings. Nevertheless, you can tell that the lizard above is a Zebra-tailed because 1) the bars, though subtle, are closer to the front legs than the back; and 2) the dark bands are clearly on the top of the tail. (They'll also be clear underneath, but the top is the tell.) Click on the photo for a larger view.



Photo by Ned Harris 6/26/2015

Again, this one is subtle. Look for the bars. Which leg are they closest to? Yes, G for Groin. You've got a Greater Earless here. (If that weren't enough, note the lack of dark bands on the top of the tail.)

Of course, I'm occasionally in need of a correction (or two). I'm always happy to learn something new. And here's the latest from this Jackrabbit post (I corrected the post as well.) Vivian writes:

I think these may be Antelope Jackrabbits. I know they are similar, but the Black-Tailed have black on the tips of their ears, and usually have black coming up from their tails a little. I could be wrong, but I walk daily in Saguaro Park East, and these are my favorite things to look for. I see many more Antelope than Black-Tailed, but always love to see both.
And I received a similar info from Jean. Thank you both!



Monday, July 6, 2015

Hear all year

Photo by Ned Harris (Ned is now over 3 million views on flickr!) 6/26/2015

Close up by Ned Harris 6/26/2015

The aptly named Curve-Billed Thrasher is a bird you'll see - and hear - here all year. Males and females look the same. Hooray. Their call sounds like: whit-wheet. A bit bigger than a cardinal, a bit smaller than a dove.


Sunday, July 5, 2015

Odd couple

All photos by Ned Harris 6/26/2015

Sonoran Desert Toad (click photos for larger views)







From this link:

The bullfrog is native to the eastern United States. The date of first introduction to Arizona is unknown, but they were introduced to California in the 1890s, and by the late 1920s the species was reportedly common on the Colorado River at Yuma. Bullfrogs are awesome and voracious predators. Predation by bullfrogs has contributed to the decline and extirpations of native leopard frogs and gartersnakes. They are one of the biggest challenges to the recovery of the Mexican gartersnake and threatened Chiricahua leopard frog. Elimination of bullfrog populations is achievable in small, manageable wetlands, but is difficult or impossible in lakes, rivers, agriculture, and other complex habitats. Bullfrogs are also a vector for chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease that is killing frogs and toads around the globe. By Jim Rorabaugh





In terms of reproduction, these pairings aren't going to be successful (as these are different species). We might want to find out how big of a problem the American Bullfrogs are in Sabino Creek. Any experts out there?


Saturday, July 4, 2015

It's like looking in a mirror!

Photo by Matt Ball 5/8/2015
taken at Saguaro East

Jackrabbits face off!
Thanks to Vivian and Jean for the update.
These are probably Antelope Jackrabbits (not Black-tailed). 


Friday, July 3, 2015

Five years ago today

Eastern Collared Lizard
Photo by Matt Ball
5/1/2015

Five years ago today, I posted for the first time! A lot has happened, of course, and this blog has become Your Daily Dose of Sabino Canyon. Thank you for your support and readership!


Thursday, July 2, 2015

Water Art

All photos of Sabino Creek, by Marty Horowitz
3/24/2015

3/24/2015

4/22/2015

4/22/2015


And a bonus poem by Ofelia Zepeda. Thanks to Patricia for sending.



Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Made in the shade

Photo by Gene Spesard 6/13/2015

These days, you take all the shade you can get! Greater Earless lizard, keeping cool.