Joshua Tree National Park, California

Raven taking flight

     

  

Blooming chollas!

Mojave? rattler sandwiched between
two boulders after being startled
by a hiker -
about 3.5' above ground

Grasshoppers and other insects of Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California

Xeracris minimus (Least Desert Grasshopper)

I've been to the desert many times, usually looking for wildflowers, mammals, or birds. However, recently my husband and I walked off trail behind the desert park's Visitor Center, looking as usual for animal tracks or scat. While we did find some of those, we also paid attention to the insects that abound out there. Some of them like this small white-speckled grasshopper (approximately 1.5" long) and the larger-bodied one below were amazingly well camouflaged. This photo isn't mine, but it shows another astoundingly similar camouflage in a totally different form of animal - a reptile.  Mother Nature never ceases to take my breath away.

Unless these grasshoppers were moving or leaping through the air, they were nearly impossible to spot. The large brown grasshopper  blended extremely well with the dried cactus it was resting on.

Near the Visitor Center, we also spotted this very tiny green grasshopper (?) in a palo verde tree. Also, in the same tree were two different kinds of bees. At the bottom on the chuparosa is a black wasp-like or dragonfly-like creature. I've searched for a page that shows photos of insect inhabitants of the Anza Borrego Desert, but I have failed to find an identity for this striking individual.  If any viewer thinks (s)he can identify it, please leave me a comment.

Camels in San Diego?!

Look what I found on the way to Anza Borrego Desert State Park…  I guess I may not have to travel to the Middle East to sample camel's milk.  My students tell me it's very healthy and better than cow's milk.  Back in the day when my kids were little, the San Diego Zoo had camel rides, so they may have some dim memory of the feeling. I didn't do it then, but it seems like I might have a second chance to ride a camel. Whoopee!

Here's a link for information about their tours and camel-handling classes.