Osterhase

My Honey-Matt and I went hiking at Saguaro East on Easter (4/16/2017) and encountered this Antelope Jackrabbit, about 2 feet tall, who was kind enough to stay still for photos. The Jackrabbit is really a hare, of course, and the title "Osterhase" (German = Easter hare) seems fitting.

photo by Matt Ball 4/16/2017

More hares from this blog in 2015 here.

Creek Glyphs

Photos by Matt Ball, 4/15/2017

And more on this topic from 2014.

More than a blotch

Photo by Marty Horowitz 4/7/2017

The orange color indicates that she's got fertilized eggs ready to be laid. Click on this photo for a larger view of the mite pocket on this Common Side-blotched Lizard. And click on the link for this post from 2015 on this topic.

And here's a bonus re-run of lizards from 2015.

Re-run fun: Roadrunner edition

This great post (if I do say so myself) from April 2014.

Damsels and Dragons

All photos copyright Marty Horowitz

4/7/2017

Spine-tipped Dancer

3/30/2017

Gray Sanddragon

4/7/2017

Arroyo Bluet

4/7/2017

Flame Skimmer

And a re-run of a rare dragon from 2015.

Fred's Find, too

Photos and story by Fred Heath, 4/17/2017

Fred writes:

The other day while walking along Sabino Creek on the east side just above the dam, I was surprised to find a Yellow Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha). Although this can be a common flower up higher in the Catalina Mts. a little later in the season, I didn’t expect to find a plant in Sabino. I did check our annotated list and, sure enough, it was there, so someone has recorded it before. I’m fairly certain I’ve never come across this elegant flower in Sabino before.

Anne says: 

Ned and I saw Yellow Columbine in this same spot in May 2013. 

Harris from Harris

Photo by Our Favorite Ned Harris 4/18/2017

Ned photographed this Harris's Hawk about 5 minutes from his home. Click for larger. And fly over to his flickr site for more amazing flyers.

Reflections in Sabino Lake

Photo (c) Gene Spesard 3/29/2017

Carrot Monkey Thistle Star

How's that for a title?
All Photos copyright Marty Horowitz

3/30/2017

Wild Carrot (Daucus pusillus)

3/27/2017

Yellow Monkey Flower (Erythranthe guttata)

4/7/2017

New Mexico Thistle (Cirsium neomexicanum)

3/27/2017

Miniature Wool Star (Eriastrum diffusum)

Flower Power

All photos copyright Marty Horowitz

4/3/2017

Water Speedwell (Veronica anagallis-aquatica)

3/27/2017

Desert Mariposa Lily (Calochortus kennedyi)

3/27/2017

Barestem Larkspur (Delphinium scaposum)

3/27/2017

Rough Menodora (Menodora scabra)

Complementary Colors

Photo by Matt Ball 3/26/2017

Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus fasciculatus) and Trixis (Trixis californica) flowers

Five Butterflies

All photos by Marty Horowitz, various days in March and April

Marine Blue

Empress Leilia

Gray Hairstreak

Spring Azure

Red-spotted Purple

Trixis for all ages

Photos (c) Gene Spesard 3/22/2017

Trixis (Trixis californica) is another fine flower in the Sunflower / Aster / Composite family.

Fred holds an individual flower. Note the fused petals. What do you think the fruit [= the thing with the seed(s)] will look like?

Camo Buddha

Photo by Marty Horowitz 4/9/2017

Find the Canyon Tree Frog!

Versicolor

Another plant profile from Fred, from April 2014.

Uncommon

Not many badgers have been photographed in Sabino, but here's one from 2011.

Duck, duck, ducklings

April 2014 Ducklings

Visible light

Flower power from April 2016

Invasion of the Mantids!

At Angie's house, April 2015

Light and Water

Not a UFO from April 2012

Hope this doesn't happen again!

Maggie and Loren Rathert were on the scene in Sabino in April 2011.

Best of April week

First up, Fred's Palos Verdes from 2015

Hungry caterpillars

Photos by Marty Horowitz 3/30/2017

These creepy looking crawlies are Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies. That is, they will be. They'll devour the Pipevine plant (Aristolocia watsonii) until they're big enough to pupate. Click this link to see what they'll look like as adults. Yes, with wings : -)

Don't get rattled!

Photo by Marty Horowitz 3/29/2017

This Western Diamondback delighted the seventh-grade students (most of them, anyway). As the temperatures rise, take more care when you hike.

Every day is science day

Marty and Linda Horowitz (and many other members of SCVN) worked with 7th graders from Esperero Canyon Middle School on 'Science Day' in Sabino on 3/29. This Spotted Skunk carcass was found near the dam by one of the students. No obvious external injuries led to the hypothesis of death by rabies. Of course, these highly trained naturalists turned this into a mini-lesson on rabies and on safety around wild animals, in general. For more info on rabies, take a look here. The basics:

• Don’t approach or handle wild animals, especially sick wild animals
• Vaccinate your pets
• Get prompt post-exposure treatment when advised to do so by a doctor or health department

Anne says: Don't try to 'rescue' animals in Sabino Canyon. Even if they appear non-threatening. Even if you think you can do it. Even if you know someone who can 'save' them. Just don't. Leave them be. And consider eating fewer birds. You'll alleviate more suffering by doing so. 

photo by Marty Horowitz 3/29/2017

Hello, Holly!

Yes, Desert Holly (Acourtia nana) is in the Sunflower family. And blooming now.

Photos by Marty Horowitz 3/22/2017

Creek, creek, DUCK!

All photos by Marty Horowitz, March 2017

3/7/2017

3/20/2017

3/20/2017

Cooper Swooper

Photo by Bill Kaufman 3/8/2017

Cooper's Hawk, incoming

Two more in the Sunflower family

Photos by Marty Horowitz 3/15/2017

Desert Zinnia (Zinnia acerosa)

Paperflower (Psilostrophe cooperi) (and bonus grasshopper)

Who? Me?

Photo by Bill Kaufman's trail camera 3/8/2017

Bill's trail camera caught this coyote straying from the path.