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| Curve billed Thrasher |
Before monsoon began, I seriously had to force myself out in the wild and attempt the impossible. Birding during the midafternoon heat. When I say that it was dead and not a single lizard, bird or insect was out, I mean it! I had thought about going home in the 106 degree weather since the butterflies weren't out and about like I had thought they would be. So I went into the shade for relief....and listened.
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| Female Anna's Hummingbird |
No one was around and I was the only guy in the gardens which was actually quite nice. What I discovered was that the world was indeed very active but only in the shade. It wasn't obvious at first but after sitting and listening to my surroundings, I was able to locate a lot of critters.
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| These colorful bugs are the immature, wingless nymphs of the Giant Mesquite Bug or Leaf-footed Bug (Thasus neocalifornicus). |
While looking at some art, I discovered some "natural" work(above pic). I thought it was fake at first until I took a closer look. We have some cool bugs in this desert...especially during the monsoon season.
And birds aren't dummies. This Cardinal was hiding in the reeds. Unfortuneatly his red gave away his location. His girlfriend was also there but didn't stick out like this guy.
Even this Anna's Hummingbird played it safe as she flew and hovered around flowers in the shade.
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| Queen Butterfly |
I did find this Queen butterfly on the Texas Mist. I was hoping for more shots, but this is okay.
And water from the fountain was quite popular with the birds.
Stay cool!
More tomorrow....
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