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Edith's Checkerspot Butterfly
Edith's Checkerspot Butterfly
Edith's Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha) can be identified by its wings which are black with red and pale yellow or white bands. Habitats are mountains, typically on ridgetops Edith's checkerspot butterflies prefer grasslands and rocky outcrops found in the mountains. Edith's checkerspot males sometimes form aggregations on patches of bare ground like ridges or peaks, and from these perches they dart after females in a strategy called perching. females normally deposit their eggs on only one of several potential host plants, Such plants include Plantago erecta and Orthocarpus densiflorus. Conservation status Global warming is expected to eliminate the butterflies in the south throughout the upcoming years, where the season is becoming shorter and shorter. In areas of the lowest latitude, about three-fourths of the populations have become extinct. This photo was taken on Massacre Mesa on March 18, 2016.
The Cougar (Puma concolor) also commonly known as the mountain lion, puma, panther, or catamount, and is the greatest of any large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. It is the second-heaviest cat in the New World, after the jaguar weighing 100 to 125 lbs. P. concolor holds the Guinness record for the animal with the greatest number of names, with over 40 in English alone. These photos were taken on the Roger's Trough trail on February 3rd, 2016.
Cougar
Cougar
Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl
Owls typically found in the Sonoran Desert are the Barn Owl, Western Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Elf Owl, and the Burrowing Owl. The Great Horned Owl has underparts that are usually light with brown horizontal barring. The outer ear openings, are concealed by feathers on the sides of the head and the left ear is slightly larger than the right ear, believed to help in distinguishing directionality of sound. The desert great horned owl, (Bubo virginianus pallescens) is found in the Sonoran Desert area and is a small race. The Rocky Mountains great horned owl(Bubo virginianus pinorum) is also found in Arizona. In the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, they are absent from the heart of the deserts and are only found on the vegetated or rocky fringes. During the daytime it roosts usually in large trees (including snags & large hollows but usually thick branches) but may occasionally be in crevices or small caves in rocks or in dense shrubbery. Great horned owls seem to be the most long-living owl in North America, with almost 29 years being the highest age for an owl recorded in North America. A more typical top lifespan of a great horned owl is approximately 13 years. One might think that the picture shown could be a Western Screech Owl but that owl has a more visibly vertically barred breast than the Great Horned Owl. This photo was taken on the Second Water trail on January 27, 2016 near Second Water Spring.
the side of the torso and encircling their eyes. In order to protect itself from the heat of the Sonoran Desert it carries its tail over his body in order to provide shade. Harris’ antelope squirrel also participates in a heat reduction method where individuals move into shaded positions and lie spread eagled against the ground. This is referred to as "heat dumping". They are active during the day, and do not sweat but otherwise reduce temperature by salivating. They are a protected species in Arizona and are designated as a non-game animal by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The photo on the left was taken above the pools on the Hieroglyphic Trail on February 25th, 2016. The picture on the right was taken from the web since I didn't have a good zoom lens and camera at the time.
Harris' Antelope Squirrel
Harris' Antelope Squirrel
Harris’ antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus harrisii) is found in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, and in Sonora in Mexico. They are adapted to hot weather conditions. The antelope squirrel has distinctive markings on its grey fur, with brown highlights on the sides and legs and a white strip down
Black Throated Sparrow
Black Throated Sparrow
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) habitat is arid brush and creosote-bush deserts. It lives in a variety of dry open habitats, from Sonoran desert with its mix of shrubs and cactus to very barren flats of creosote bush or saltbush. Also locally in grassland with scattered cactus, sagebrush flats, open pinyon-juniper woods. Black-throated Sparrows are very common in parts of the Southwest, even in some relatively barren flats of creosote bush where few other birds occur; loose winter flocks feed on the ground in open areas, making little tinkling callnotes. In spring, males perch atop low bushes to sing their metallic notes and trills. It forages mostly while running about on the ground and also does some foraging up in shrubs and desert trees. It occasionally makes short flights to catch insects in mid-air. I borrowed this picture from the Audubon web pages as the birds are difficult to photograph but are easy to identify by ear. This guys bird song can be heard at this location. I heard it's song many times on the Tony's Cabin trail and got to see it up close on the Willow Spring Goldfield trail.
Tarantulas
Tarantulas
Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy arachnids of which approximately 900 species have been identified. A female tarantula has a more stocky body than a male and is covered in a light brown or tan hair. The male is thinner and "lankier", with black hair covering most of the body and reddish hairs on its abdomen. Male tarantulas live 10 to 12 years. Females can live twice as long. Upon reaching adulthood, males typically have but a 1- to 1.5-year period left to live and will immediately go in search of a female with which to mate. In the Sonoran Desert, tarantulas grow to a length of 3 to 4 inches. The female tarantula (above right) was photographed on the Boulder Canyon trail on December 9th, 2015. The male tarantula (below right) was photographed on the Fremont Pass trail on December 11th, 2015.
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