My website for Tucson urban wildlife is up and running! If you would like to check it out, the web address is www.tucsonurbanwildlife.com. Thank you all for your kind words about finishing my thesis. That adventure is over, but I am looking forward to many more in the future.
A few days ago I took my camera to the Campbell Avenue bridge, where the bats hang out. I wanted to see if I could get something other than a blur (i.e. my old camera) to show up. It was fun to experiment with the settings and I think I learned some things about shooting in low light. There were some other photographers there too, and I learned that a different lens would help me tremendously. Nonetheless, I snapped a few good shots. Here is one of the stream of bats flying from the bridge to get their dinner...moths, moths, moths (and maybe some mosquitoes)!
I had heard a rumor that bats dwell in the Campbell Ave. bridge that spans over the Rillito River. The rumor is true.
Saturday at dusk, I went on a bat hunting journey and found out I wasn't the only one intrigued. About 50 or so people showed up to witness the Mexican Free-tailed bats emerge in the thousands from their home in the narrow spaces of the concrete bridge. Even with all those cars driving over it, they still find it a great place to live (well, I'm assuming so, even though they didn't tell me personally.)
When I first arrived, one other family was there. We all wondered where the bats were....until, I walked under the bridge and heard the squeaks coming from up above. Yup, there they are! And on the ground....guano...so small you could hardly see it.
So, an hour went by, no bats. But more and more people started to show. And then, finally, right as the sun went down, one little bat emerges from the bridge. A scout maybe? We waited a little longer, wondering if they would actually make their appearance when, all of the sudden, they start to come from every direction. Thousands of bats eating all the mosquitoes that were biting us while we waited.
Unfortunately, it was too dark for my camera to take pictures, but I found this video on Youtube that was taken at the same location in 2007. It was incredible, but don't take my word for it, go see them yourself! Just make sure you go soon because they migrate back to Mexico in October.
And get this...one bat ways about as much as a penny. No wonder they can fly to fast!
I'm about ready to go to bed...after reading 100 pages of literature on urban design and planning I am feeling pretty tired, but I wanted to share pictures of the hike N and I took today at Madera Canyon. I was so in need of an escape to the fresh air of the mountains, and it was wonderful. There is nothing like the smell of a cool breeze with a hint of pine; especially because it was 101˙ in Tucson today.
The site and sound of the small creek that runs through the canyon was also refreshing. The sound it made through most of the hike was so soothing. I wish I could capture that sound and bring it home with me. There were all sorts of different grasses in flower along the trail. N and I were commenting on how beautiful our native grasses are, and how we wish they were used more in urban and residential landscapes. There were also many insects out today; it must be the perfect weather for them. We saw quite a few beautiful insects, but this one in particular amazed me with its colors.
There were also a bunch of black hairy caterpillars around...I was wondering if they are the larva of this insect? I am thinking it is a type of moth because of its antennae??? Hmmmmm....
When I took the picture of the little guy that I used in my title block, I assumed he was a spadefoot toad because it was monsoon season and he sort of looked like one. I didn't pick him up to see if he had the infamous "spade" on the back of his foot because I didn't want to bother him. But now...I have become curious. What is he??? Actually, his feet look like frogs feet. I have searched all over the net, on the Sonoran Desert Museum website, and a few other herp sites, and it's still not clear. He actually looks like a barking frog, but supposedly their range is not in Gisela, where I found him. I'm confused!
I don't know what he is, but he's great. Not sure whether he is some sort of mutant grasshopper or just a little guy of his own kind? He was hanging out, chewin' some cud.
A new threat to the Endangered Species Act is looming, as the Bush/Cheney administration seeks to strip this 30-year-old protective legislation. As announced earlier this week, the new proposal would “severely limit scientific review by the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service of projects that could harm imperiled wildlife.” (Defenders of Wildlife)
The plan will also drastically limit the ability of these agencies to consider how greenhouse gas emissions from projects like highways, dams, mines, oil or gas drilling and practically any other activity would effect polar bears, wolverines, and other wildlife. Under this new plan, the independent agency that is proposing an activity regulates itself; leaving no checks and balances for ensuring wildlife and the environment are protected. This lack of independent review will most likely work in the favor of the organizations seeking to perform the activity, especially since most have no biologist or other qualified staff to make an environmental assessment.
“Even worse, the new regulations would impose a brief 60-day review period for agencies, making it even less likely that anyone involved in the process will have the time or expertise to fully evaluate the potential harmful effects of a given project on sensitive wildlife or the habitat it needs to survive.” (Defenders of Wildlife)
These changes to the Endangered Species Act are set to take effect in less than 30 days and Americans have only until Sept 15th to comment for the record. What’s more, changes will not have to be passed by Congress.
On an evening hike last night at the Phoenix South Mountain Preserve we encountered many, many very hungry caterpillars. I haven't been able to figure out what kind of moth or butterfly they will turn into, but I have a suspicion that it is a Hawk Moth caterpillar. It was quite a site to see all these hungry fellows moving around the muted desert floor. They dotted the landscape with their neon colors.
It's amazing how quickly one can escape the feeling of being in the city, when natural open space is nearby. Just a few minutes into the hike and the sounds of the city started to disappear. We started to feel a cool desert breeze and smell the creosote. On our return back to the car, we heard the happy yipping sounds of a group of coyotes down in the wash. We had intended to move in their direction, but chose to take the high road instead. As we turned toward the trail, I noticed a very large shadow creeping behind us. Funnily, my first reaction was to growl very loudly and throw a stone; while contemplating whether there were mountain lions on South Mountain. Naw! When I slightly regained my senses, I tried to figure out what this strange silhouette belonged to...from the best I can tell it was a very large Javelina, trying to escape the pack of coyotes...we blew his cover! Hopefully, after wondering what these strange humans were doing, and laughing to himself, he managed to escape the coyotes after all.
So, we made it back to the car, but the whole way back I looked behind me to make sure there were no more strange shadows lurking in the dark. Despite my own fears, I am sure the other animals were just as confused or scared...these crazy humans.
The monsoon rains are fully upon us. The lightning is so close you can feel the earth rumble like a hungry monster that hasn't eaten for a year. Spadefoot toads are waking from their year-long underground slumber to call for a mate across the damp desert. When they meet, they create the precious eggs for which they have been waiting so patiently. The parents are hopeful that the puddle in which the eggs have been so carefully placed will persist long enough for their children to emerge--tiny legs, tiny toads, a miracle made by water in a dry desert.
There were all sorts of different grasses in flower along the trail. N and I were commenting on how beautiful our native grasses are, and how we wish they were used more in urban and residential landscapes.
There were also many insects out today; it must be the perfect weather for them. We saw quite a few beautiful insects, but this one in particular amazed me with its colors.
On an evening hike last night at the Phoenix South Mountain Preserve we encountered many, many very hungry caterpillars. I haven't been able to figure out what kind of moth or butterfly they will turn into, but I have a suspicion that it is a Hawk Moth caterpillar. It was quite a site to see all these hungry fellows moving around the muted desert floor. They dotted the landscape with their neon colors.
