Observations by dreamingofmattapoisett

This very large interior live oak dominates a high hill at about 2000 ft elevation. Recent research indicates that some oaks which were previously identified as Quercus wislizenii are either the tree form of Shreve's Oak (Quercus parvula) or a hybrid between the two. To the best of my ability without being about to do gene analysis, I have identified this fine specimen as Quercus wislizenii. I have included photos of the leaves and seeds to help with idenfitication.

The moth was hanging upside down on a branch of a Tuscan rosemary plant in our front garden. It's feathery antenna and eye spots are visible in one of the pictures I've uploaded. It was about 3 inches long from its antenna to the tip of its folded wing. I didn't catch it opening it's wings but based on its markings and size I' think it is a Polyphemus moth

I was sitting under the western redbud in our garden which is surrounded by an oak woodland. I looked up to see what I think was a Sleepy Duskywing skipper resting on a leaf. Kellogg Black Oak are one of its host plants and we have a lot of them.

Update: After icosahedron suggested that this is a Propertius Duskywing, I reviewed the photo and also the usual territory for the two butterflies and have changed my identification.

I found this fellow on our back porch which has a cinder block floor. I had trouble getting a picture that contained the full length of his tail. S/he hangs around the back porch I assume to catch mice and other creatures who also hang out there.

One distinguishing factor that makes me identify this fellow as Elgaria multicarinata is the yellow surrounding his pupil.

This black-tailed jackrabbit was nibbling a patch of grass when I came upon him. The jackrabbit straightened up and looked right at me when I took this picture. S/he is often seen eating from grass in this area which must have higher ground water, because there is some green grass there throughout the dry summer.

This Quercus chrysolepis, common name canyon oak, is growing on the west facing side of a slope in an oak woodlands. The upper side of the leaves is shiny and the underside is dull and very light in color.