Snakes just wanna have fun: Part 2

Gopher snake in a tree, photo by Maggie Rathert, 4/3/11

This gopher snake knows how to get a good perch. Gopher snakes are sometimes mistaken for western diamondbacks (not by you, though).

Flying colors

All photos by Ned Harris, 4/8/11 

Who says the desert isn't colorful? The male broad-billed hummingbird above is enjoying some tasty nectar from an ocotillo flower. More leaves should be present on the ocotillos in the canyon after Saturday's rain. Go check them out. You might see some hummingbirds, too!

And another...

Aren't these wonderful?!

Wow!

Bravo, Ned!

Pipevine and other plants

Pipevine, the plant; Ned, the photographer

Desert Chicory

If you haven't already fixed your Guide, see this post for details.

Hedgehog, the cactus, in bloom

Hedgehogs, the critters, are common in Germany, especially in the south, where I lived a few years during my university years/decades.

Eyes wide

Thanks to Ned Harris for again providing the great photos!

I think you've had enough, mister!

Phainopepla hangout, photo by Ned Harris

And for the gold in building a pyramid out of mistletoe seeds, Phaino-poop-la!

Hovercraft

Photo by Carol Tornow, 4/2/11

Although this photo wasn't taken in the canyon, White-lined Sphinx Moths do frequent the flowers there. They are sometimes mistaken for hummingbirds and are often called 'hummingbird moths'. Very cool critters. Here's more info.

Violet-crowned Hummingbird, photo by Ned Harris, 3/30/11

This beauty really is a hummingbird and has been sighted multiple times in the canyon since the first post. S/he wasn't banded, though, during the session on 4/2; we'll hope for a bird in hand on 4/16. 

SPECIAL ALERT!!

On Friday, 4/1/11, an adult mountain lion was seen and photographed on the Esperero Trail just east of where it crosses the road. PLEASE be aware and inform others what to do in the event of a sighting. PLEASE do make the lion afraid by taking the appropriate action; namely: making yourself look big, maintaining eye contact, making lots of noise, throwing things. Yes, really. Mountain lions CANNOT be captured and relocated. There's no place to relocate a lion unafraid of humans. Lions have a huge range. They can be anywhere in the greater canyon area. Let's be diligent and keep everyone safe.

Butterfly kisses

Empress Leilia, upper side of wings

Empress Leilia, underside of wings

Empress Leilia larvas feed on hackberry plants. Amazing how different they look from above and below.

Viceroy, photo by Ned Harris, 4/2/11

Viceroy, too

The Viceroy larvas (look like bird poop and) feed on willows and cottonwoods. Here's a fun fact: The larvas store the salicylic acid from the willow bark in their bodies. Tastes yucky to predators. Good survival strategy. All photos from Ned Harris.