Alpine Shooting Star

01 Alpine Shooting Star_3333

While hiking on Mount Charleston near Las Vegas, Nevada, I came across this neat wildflower. This species ranges from northeast Oregon to the southern Cascades and Sierras and east to Utah and Arizona.

02 Alpine Shooting Star_076

This plant is a showy member of the Primrose Family. It is usually seen in in moist meadows and along streams at high elevations in mountains. It can best be described as locally common.

03 Alpine Shooting Star_077

The flower of Alpine Shooting Star resembles the shape of a rocket and its plume of exhaust. The “plume” of the petals reveals a fantastic transition of colors from near-black to yellow, white, and finally a lavender-pink.

04 Alpine Shooting Star_078

Each flower points downwards and a single, elongated stigma protrudes from the blossom, the “nose” of the rocket. Its is held firmly by four black anthers between the petals and the stigma.

05 Alpine Shooting Star_079

This plant is of special value to Bumble Bees and requires their ability to buzz-pollinate for successful reproduction. Buzz-pollination is a technique used to release pollen which is firmly held by the flower.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Black-throated Sparrow

01 Black-Throated Sparrow_3011

It seemed that wherever I went in the Mojave Desert, these sharp looking birds were present. Part of what made them easy to notice is that they tend to travel in small groups; their frequent high, bell-like calls made me aware of their presence.

02 Black-Throated Sparrow_5080

Found throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico in arid upland habitats, the Black-throated Sparrow breeds as far north as Washington State. It prefers a habitat of desert hillsides and scrub, canyons and washes – but it is quite adaptable.

03 Black-throated Sparrow_7693

Its striking face pattern of neat gray bordered by two strong white stripes and a black triangular throat patch make it easy to identify. Juveniles lack the adult’s black throat and have faint streaking above and below. I have often observed them hopping on the ground, pecking for seeds and insects and making short, low flights between shrubs.

04 Black-throated Sparrow_7108

They have the habit of perching in trees and shrubs while giving quiet calls. The Black-throated Sparrow establishes and defends a large territory during nest construction and egg laying season, though once incubation begins, their territory size shrinks and males becomes less responsive to intruders.

05 Black-Throated Sparrow_2970

The oldest recorded Black-throated Sparrow was a female that was least 6 years old when she was recaptured and re-released during banding operations in Arizona. This is a handsome bird that adds its good looks and interesting song to the desert landscape of the American southwest.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

01 Southern Pacific Rattlesnake_6861

This is a serpent that I have occasionally come across while visiting southern California. The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake is one of nine subspecies of Western Rattlesnakes, which range across much of the western United States, Mexico and Canada. Adults are usually three to four feet long.

02 Southern Pacific Rattlesnake_6854

Like other species of Western Rattlesnakes, the Southern Pacific has a relatively hefty body and stubby tail, a triangle-shaped head, hooded eyes and elliptical pupils. It often blends into its surroundings due to its coloration. Although usually brown to olive-brown, it may be gray or a greenish tint. A thin brown, grey, or black stripe extends from the corner of each eye to the mouth.

03 Southern Pacific Rattlesnake_6845

Like not only rattlesnakes, but also like Cottonmouths and Copperheads, it has a small opening, or heat-sensing organ called a loreal pit, on each side of its face, between its nostrils and eyes, giving it membership in the subfamily called “Pit Vipers.” Much of our current-day technological advances in night vision and heat seeking ability are a result, in part of research done on pit vipers such as the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake.

04 Southern Pacific Rattlesnake_6844

These rattlesnakes live in a variety of areas including grasslands, mountain forests, coastal dunes, rocky deserts and hillsides and agricultural fields. Young snakes feed mostly on small lizards, while adults usually eat small mammals and birds. Rattlesnakes tend to be nocturnal hunters. These reptiles use venom to subdue their prey. The venom of the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake varies substantially between populations likely depending on habitat. In certain areas it has developed neurotoxic venom.

05 Southern Pacific Rattlesnake_9856

The rattle at the end of the tail of the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake is made up of segments of keratin (similar to what makes up fingernails). When the snake sheds its skin, a new segment of the rattle is formed. The rattle warns other animals the snake is venomous and can and will defend itself. This is always an impressive and memorable beast to encounter in the field.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Bluntnose Minnow

01 Bluntnose Minnow_6492

While exploring a creek near Youngstown, Ohio, I caught a fish that I had never encountered in the wild before. Its natural geographic range extends from the Great Lakes south along the Mississippi River basin to Louisiana, and east across the Midwestern United States to New York State.

02 Bluntnose Minnow_6469

Despite me not being familiar with it, the Bluntnose Minnow is very ubiquitous and may be the most common freshwater fish in the Eastern United States. It occupies a broad range of habitats including lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams and prefers shallow areas of clear water with sand and gravel bottoms.

03 Bluntnose Minnow_6474

This fish is commonly used for bait in the fishing industry. Averaging three inches in length, its characteristic rounded face is where the common name “Bluntnose Minnow” originated.

04 Bluntnose Minnow_6472

These fish prefer to feed on aquatic insects, algae, diatoms, aquatic insect larvae, and small crustaceans called entomostracans. Occasionally they will eat fish eggs or small fish.

05 Bluntnose Minnow_6475

A close relative, the Fathead Minnow, gives off a chemical called “alarm substance” when under attack. Scientists think the substance may be a distress signal that attracts other predatory fish who interrupt the first predator, allowing the minnow to escape.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail