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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Dangerous Sights and Sounds

Cactus Wren
This is the worst time of the year (rattlesnake season) to daydream while hiking.  A suspicious shape will catch your attention, and for a moment your adrenaline will flow until you realize you're looking at a stick.  Later, while not attending to the here-and-now you may be frozen in your tracks by a rattling sound that makes your think "Rattler!" when, in fact, it's nothing but a cicada in a bush.  These innocent sights and sounds will convince you to pay more attention while trekking in the spring, summer and early fall.
Becca in "kill a fly" mode

Loggerhead Shrike

Spotting an insect?

Launch!

Mesquite Tree just west of Tortugas

Not much of a shade break

Getting going again

The distant Organs

Soaptree Yucca flower stalks

Sometimes a shape will catch your eye and bring you up short

Ocotillos and Yuccas

Catclaw Acacia in bloom

Strawberry Pitaya are blossoming again




A cicada can sound very much like a rattlesnake

About a quarter mile from the trailhead

1 comment:

Dr. K said...

NIce photo of Becca from her perspective.

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