arizonamike's Journal

It was a BLAST! Paul Sitzmann and Casey Addy from BLM showed up around 7:15am and we got their tent and tables set up for the BioBlitz command center. The water insect folks were meeting several miles north at 7:30am. The plant folks (which I was a part of) were to meet at 10:00am, so there was plenty of time to play around and figure out the use of iNaturalist in the field. Made several "observations" on the app. It was really kind of hard to use with glaring sun and wearing sunglasses. However, we made do. At 10:00am, Paul took about six of us down to Badger Springs where we spent three hours walking down the wash to the Agua Fria River. Along the way, we "observed" plants and Paul ID'd most of them. While at the confluence we walked slightly south and took pictures of the "explosives" vault that used to be used when there was mining in the area.

Thanks to Paul Sitzmann, I learned quite a bit about some of the plants, both native and invasive, that inhabit the Badger Springs Wash area. Can't wait to see how much of it I retain and how much more I can learn. Thanks again, Paul!

It's Thursday night and I've signed up today for the Saturday BioBlitz on Agua Fria National Monument, where I've been hiking for the past dozen years. Mostly, I've always had my eye on prehistoric ruins in the Perry Mesa area, but this project should expand my horizons a little. Once in awhile on my hikes I've come across interesting plants which the folks at Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix have graciously identified for me. Beyond that in terms of "Bio", it's mainly been Pronghorn, Deer, snakes, one Bobcat, some coyotes, cattle and assorted birds. I've seen burrowing owls, great horned owls, vultures and hawks. But, you know what? I am not able to identify many of those flying animals, birds, etc. So - let's see if utilizing iNatukralist will help me learn in these areas - the birds and plants, that is. I'll let you know how it goes on Saturday. Should be fun.