Photos / Sounds
What
Lasiopogon karliObserver
tristanmcknightDescription
Looks like the species I named after my dad (L. karli) is still going strong here in the Gila area. And nice to finally get on the board for the year and keep my 16-year streak of catching Lasiopogon going.
From the regional species, this one is distinctive for being covered in very dusty gray tomentum (almost no pattern on the scutum or abdomen), slender but very curved epandrium halves, and plenty of fine hairs on the scutum and scutellum (L. coconino has shorter, coarser hair).
Photos / Sounds
Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
Lots of Stichopogon on the river beaches in the Gila area. Looks like they’re all S. arenicola— very golden brown overall, big tufts on the ovipositor. Also got this species the last two times I’ve visited here.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
A flock of crossbills were foraging in the pines here.
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What
Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
We had another magical encounter with a Pygmy owl.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mexican Chickadee (Poecile sclateri)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
The Mexican chickadees were sure hard to see even when calling in trees right nearby! Being mixed in big flocks with a dozen species also made it tricky. Anyway, here are some doc shots for my own record.
Photos / Sounds
What
Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
We had a much better time watching this buff-breasted flycatcher than the one last year on Mount Lemmon!
Photos / Sounds
What
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
Wow! We got to watch two peregrines courting (they even did the grab talons together and spin fall down to just above the ground thing I’ve seen in documentaries before!) and then fly into a pine tree across the river and eventually mate! A third one kept swooping around them— a little smaller but adult plumage, I’m guessing another male who lost out. What an experience.
Photos / Sounds
What
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
A Caspian term was a cool rare find for this locality.
Photos / Sounds
What
Hummingbirds (Family Trochilidae)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
I wasn’t sure what to call this hummingbird. The short bill and rather stippled throat make me think it’s a juvenile. But it was already independent— flying around a bunch and not being attended by any other hummingbird. Perhaps an immature female Anna’s?
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What
Mediterranean Mantis (Iris oratoria)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
For the mantis ootheca, any chance this is identifiable?
Photos / Sounds
What
Mason, Leafcutter, Carder, and Resin Bees (Family Megachilidae)Observer
tristanmcknight
Photos / Sounds
What
Longhorn Crazy Ant (Paratrechina longicornis)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
crazy ant?
Photos / Sounds
What
Lady Beetles (Family Coccinellidae)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
For the beetle larva amidst the aphids.
Photos / Sounds
What
Narrow-waisted Wasps, Ants, and Bees (Suborder Apocrita)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
For the wasp on this ootheca. I might have another photo or two, I'll check (but they're all this bad resolution).
Photos / Sounds
What
Aphid Mummy Wasps (Subfamily Aphidiinae)Observer
tristanmcknightDescription
For whatever mummified these aphids
