twillrichardson's Favourites

Ascalapha odorata
Auke Bay, 12 mi N of Juneau, Alaska.

A female Black Witch Moth found October 4, 1957 at Auke Bay, 12 mi N of Juneau, AK
Photo by: Steve Henrikson, Curator of Collections, Alaska State Museum

Spangler, P.J. 1957. A record of the black witch, Erebus odora (Noctuidae), in Alaska. The Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society, 11(6): 205.
https://images.peabody.yale.edu/lepsoc/jls/1950s/1957/1957-11(6)205-Spangler.pdf

Ascalapha odorata - Female
nr. Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
August 18, 2006
Collected on a rocky headland jutting out into Hudson Bay near Churchill, MB, by the Barcode of Life Initiative.
This specimen represents the northernmost Black Witch Moth ever collected

I put this into 4 separate observations.
The story is, I was metal detecting in the mountains while waiting for the 4th of July drone light display and stumbled upon this poorwill. I dropped my metal detector and followed it through the woods to get a picture (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124902166). I finally got a picture and when I went back to get my metal detector, right next to it I noticed 2 tiny eggs (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124902168). Since I was there anyway I took a quick photo and then left it be. It was with 2 or 3 other individuals. I then found a feather I am guessing belongs to this species (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124902167) and a couple minutes before the drone display I recorded an audio clip (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124902172). This was perhaps the best 4th of July I have ever had because I am thankful they are trying something less destruction of explosive noise pollution and air pollution. The explosions from South Lake Tahoe's fireworks display made the forest quiet and as usual went on so long I got bored.

Drama. These guys all normally get along pretty well, but here a squirrel decided to start something and nearly got kicked in the head as reward. Moments later they were back to munching sunflower seeds side-by-side again.

The banks of the creek were primarily composed of an overstory of Betula occidentalis (Water Birch) and Salix lutea (Yellow Willow), with an understory largely dominated by Carex hystericina (Bottlebrush Sedge), Berula erecta (Cutleaf Water Parsnip), Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain), and Juncus torreyi (Torrey’s Rush).

Growing along the sides of the road were Eriogonum strictum (Blue Mountain Buckwheat), Grindelia squarrosa (Curlycup Gumweed), Sisymbrium altissimum (Tall Tumblemustard), and Verbascum thapsus (Great Mullein) in bloom.

The blue was not observed on any plant, only seen flitting about on wetted pebbles on the stream bank where Birch Creek Rd. intersects Birch Creek.

Was found at a rest stop near colfax California at approx 10:30 am in a very vegetated area underneath a small log over dead plant debris. The pictures actually show 2 different sharp-tailed snakes they were both next to each other under the log. One was active and tried escaping deeper into the debris while the other just laid on top. The timid one was about 3 inches longer than the active one small one was about 8 In and larger one was about 11. Both of them had two vertical red bands along their body.

My husband and I were driving out to hike around 10:00am when these two pronghorn casually crossed the road in front of us moving towards Stampede
Reservoir.

I've never seen Pronghorn in this area before. There were only two that we saw and they weren't as skittish as others we've seen in other places.

I am wondering if they migrated up from Sierra Valley.

Another brightly colored male Desert Spiny Lizard running around the open outside viewing area at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. This male Desert Spiny Lizard was fully "decorated" in his breeding colors, and was doing his territorial display "push-ups" as he occasionally stopped while he ran across the brick walkway area. The Lizards have to be careful as there are some Thrashers, Crows, and other birds flying around the Botanical Gardens that may try to catch and eat the Lizards.

There was a heavy frost last night and by morning the poplar leaves were falling in a golden shower in a nearby city park. The resident Jackrabbits (also known more correctly as Prairie Hares) seem to think they are invisible if they lower their ears and hunker down amongst the leaves.

At first glance I thought it was an earth worm and was surprised it was not desiccated and thought it odd to be here. When I moved it out of the trail I realized it was a snake.
Location verified on satellite view.