Scorpions in the Night

We went scorpion "hunting" last night with UV flashlights! Wow! As you walk along, you look for something that glows. We saw numerous glowing scorpions in the desert. When you turn on the regular flashlight, they

blend in with the surrounding sand. With the UV light, they stand out!

 We will do some more "hunting" as the temperatures heat up and more scorpions emerge from the ground.

Hidden From Sight

Most wildlife is hidden from sight. Sometimes you get lucky or someone else fills you in on what they have discovered and you see something totally amazing. This page has a few special photos from what I witnessed recently.

This Great Horned Owl was awoken by a group of admirers including me.He was in a tree near a cage where a  female owl  was being rehabilitated. She had two chicks in the cage with her. Not sure how that all transpired but he was hanging around keeping close. He gave us some great hoots even though it was the middle of the day. I'm sure

he was happy when the humans with binoculars left so he could go back to sleep.

It definitely was special to see this Red-Tailed Hawk with a white fuzzy headed chick in the nest.

What a surprise when the little chick stood on the edge of the nest. It was a lot bigger than I expected!

Mule Deer try to keep out of sight but sometimes I get lucky and unexpectedly encounter them on a hike.This one was trying to "hide" behind the boulder today.

This little critter showed up in our driveway this week. It didn't seem to quite know what to do in the bright sun. It walked around in circles not aware of my presence. It's eyes were tiny and its pouches were full of birdseed. I was told it was a Pocket Gopher. One of those that spends most of his time underground, hidden from sight.

How often do you get to see a bat hanging upside down? Not often!This was the first time I have seen a resting bat.It is called a Hoary bat. I've been told that it is quite uncommon to see this bat. It  flew over a little pond catching insects for a bit before returning to his upside down position on the tree branch.It was probably mixed up on what time of day it was like the gopher. Wow!

We are all surrounded by pretty amazing wildlife. We just need to keep our eyes and ears open. And sometimes, we will get extra lucky and see something quite unique.

More Desert Blooms and Birds

Once again, I drove down from the Pine covered mountains to the desert. Because the desert habitat is so unfamiliar, I find it interesting to discover how animals and plants are able to adapt to such a harsh environment.

I returned to the Living Desert and found more cacti in bloom as well as lots of blooming flowers.

One way the cactus adapts to the arid desert is by storing water in its stems and roots and by having spines rather than leaves.

I have read warnings to stay clear of this Cholla cactus. It has barbed spines that are quite painful and difficult to remove.After reading that warning, I definitely stay a distance from this cactus. It is amazing that certain birds such as the Cactus Wren can make a nest here. The spines help protect their nests and the shade protects them from the intense sun.

The Mesquite tree is a common tree found along a dry river bed (wash) in the desert. It is unique in its ability to send a taproot up to 80 ft below the ground seeking water. Its small leaves curl up during the heat of the day to conserve moisture. Bean pods are a staple for lots of animals and birds.

Another tree adapted to the desert is the Palo Verde or Green Stick. Appropriately named since the trunk and branches are all green. It is easy to identify.

Lesser Goldfinches were enjoying the flowers of this tree when I was here.

Last time I was here, I saw a Gambel's Quail calling from on a rock. This time the quail was calling from a much higher perch. Unlike before, I heard another quail return his call not just a parrot mimicking him.

It is great to see and to hear a bird I recognize from the south - the House Finch. It has adapted to life just about everywhere in North America.

If you put a feeder out, you have a good chance of this bird being a regular visitor.

Lucky me to run across a docent sharing this awesome falcon, the American Kestrel. It is also found throughout North America. You may see one perched on wires in open areas hunting for small prey and insects.Nothing like seeing it up close though!

I discovered this hidden garden designed to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. While I sat, birds flew from flower to flower and some quenched their thirst at the flowing fountain. 

A thing of Beauty

Is a Joy forever

Its loveliness increases

It will never pass

Into nothingness

-Keats-

Soaking in the Sun

Spring is here and lizards are everywhere. They are usually zipping about and impossible for me to photograph. However, when they are soaking in the sun, I have a chance.  This neat looking lizard is found just about everywhere in the southwest but I saw him at Joshua Tree. He is a Side blotched Lizard.

 This one is called a Desert Spiny Lizard. If you look closely, he has spiky scales around his neck and overlapping pointed scales on his body. He was enjoying the sun in the desert.

These were lounging in our backyard. The male did his pushups and flashed his beautiful blue throat. They do this behavior to establish territory and to warn potential predators to stay away.

 This was a surprise to see in the forest - Two Alligator Lizards

This was my first sighting of a dragonfly this Spring. It definitely was soaking in the sun. Unless I am mistaken, this is a Flame Skimmer or Firecracker Skimmer. 

With the warm weather coming, I will be searching for more critters basking in the sun!

Hike to Tahquitz Peak

Chipmunks and lizards are out of hibernation. The snow on the ridge has melted. Time to hike to Tahquitz Peak.

The hike to Tahquitz Peak is normally alittle over 4 miles but the steep road leading to the trailhead is closed so an extra strenuous mile and the hike from the house is added to the hike. Twelve miles in all.

Views of Garner Valley are the first amazing sight.

Next comes the "window" rock.

Our goal is to climb to the almost 9,000 feet peak to this historic fire lookout tower.

This is a view of Diamond Valley Lake in the distance.Anza, the epicenter of the 4.7 earthquake in March is to the left of this photo.

 The beautiful scenery keeps us going when we need an extra boost.

The fire tower is within our sight when we reach this sign. 

We reach our destination after 4 1/2 hours of hiking exhausted but elated! An Ecuadorian who grew up in the Andes races up the mountain while we are rewarding ourselves with chocolate for our accomplishment. Wow! In the end, it doesn't matter how quick you are at hiking or if you can only hike part of the trail.

Just enjoy the journey!

Desert Birds and Blooming Cactus-Spring in the Desert

As daffodils emerge and pink blossoms fill the trees in Idyllwild, cacti are blooming down in the desert. I didn't want to miss it so I took a trip back down the "hill" to the Living Desert where the botanical area is full of color.

 

The Ocotillo is beautiful in the Spring with its green leaves and red blooms that the birds enjoy. When it becomes more arid, the leaves drop,blooms disappear and  the plant looks like dead tall stalks but it is just waiting for the rain to fall again when the leaves will reappear.

The bird behavior has changed since last time I was here. The day I visited, the male Cactus Wren were competing for nesting sites in the Palm trees.

The Roadrunner was back visiting the enclosed Roadrunner in the aviary.

The male Black-crowned Night Heron presented sticks to his mate while they worked on building a nest.

The male Gambel's Quail called from his perch on the rock for a mate or for establishing his territory. It was funny for me to discover that his "challenger" calling loudly back wasn't another quail but it was a parrot!

It still amazes me that within one hour from Idyllwild, the habitat changes so dramatically...from a blooming cactus to blooming daffodils.

Magnificent!