October 2007 -
Dale B. writes, "I have no idea,
looks like some kind of gecko - found it underneath a rock while planting a tree.
Might need to get the members to identify it. It was only approximately two inches
long. I moved it to a safe area and turned it loose, haven't seen it since." Alamogordo,
NM
Send information to Feedback.
Dale also has a picture of a sphinx moth in the animal's photos pages.
July 2007 - Abigail writes, "I saw this tree/shrub in Scottsdale while
visiting last year and would like to identify it to consider it for my Texas
landscape. Can you post the picture for identification."
Send information to Feedback
May 2007:
For several years we have had small night blooming
flowers-- Everything I have found points to Cereus
but smaller than most pics I've seen-- Also it's
suppose to grow on a vine type plant -- The ones
we have are on thick upright cactus... I'm attaching
a pic taken May 17th-- I hope someone can help
with any info possible -- This is one awesome flower
and we would like to learn more about it --Thank
You Tom & Dolores Skinner, Hemet, CA
DUSA: We believe it is a Golden Torch Cereus, Echinopsis
spachiana. They grow from an upright cactus,
just like your picture shows. They
are
not
uncommon
in
southern
California - Cactus Jim has one in his garden
too!
April 2006: Hi, My name is Toni and I live in the Mojave high desert of California. I was wondering if someone can identify this red-cheeked bird taking a drink in my backyard. Thank you.
Niki T. responds: The bird is a Northern Flicker...Probably "Red-shafted," but possibly a "Gilded," I can't see the wing lining. Just thought I'd let ya know.
01/18/05 I found your Internet site and am wondering if you can help me identify this beautiful Utah lizard? I took his/her picture several years ago up at the base of Fisher Tower east of Moab. I was delighted that he was willing to pose for this great picture. I'm not a lizard lover just a picture taker who is curious to know who this critter is and how common or rare he may be?
Thanks for any help you can provide in identifying this beauty.
I've never seen this kind of lizard. I;m in southern Ca. Mojave desert
Cred
The lizard depicted in the photo which was found in Mojave is a gravid female blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia silus). When the females of this species are pregnant they develop the orange markings to signal to potential male suitors that they are currently unavailable for fertilization. Their close cousins, the collared lizards display this same color trait. Nice find.-Hanna Strauss, President, Southwestern Herpetologists Society
I've just returned from a wonderful visit to the desert (Quartzite area) and took a photo of the above flower which was growing at Yuma Crossing. I have been unable to identify it and was hoping you could help. The spiky leaves in the background look as if the plant belongs to the yucca family possibly. Thank you. Gail Beal
The red flowered plant looks to be a Hesperaloe spp., also called red-flowered yucca. I am not sure it is native to the Sonoran Desert. My familiarity is from the Chihuahuan Desert near Del Rio, Texas and northern Mexico. David Alloway
With almost certainty, the photo taken by Gail Beal is of a "pink yucca" -hesperaloe parviflora. It is rare in the wild, but very commonly seen in commercial landscaping. Dark green leaves, thin by yucca standards, grow up to chest high, remaining lush throughout the year. Flowering stalks shoot high into the air with almost perceptible speed when it blooms, from late spring thru mid summer (it reminds me a lot of penstemons). The pollinated dark pink flowers turn into small walnut-like seedpods. As a landscape plant, they give the desert yard a reedy wet marsh look.
The other plant photo is most likely "desert senna" - senna covesii. A close-up shot of the flower would take me from 75% to 100% certainty. The best place to see these wildflowers are the sandy banks of drawn down reservoirs throughout the southwest, which usually starts to happen when area golf courses annouce their summer rates (hehe, sorry, bad joke even if true). These tough, knee high plants with firm teardrop leaves can blanket a lakeside beach in delicate, papery yellow flowers. - John
Pretty sure this plant is a weed. Flowers have very sweet smell. Have no idea what it is, if anyone can help.
I believe the above photos of the plant with the yellow flowers is a senna, although I am unsure of the species. The genus name is Senna or Cassia, depending on the reference. Senna is the oldest known medicinal plant with references found in dynastic Egyptian heiroglyphics. It is a sure-fire, and sometimes too effective, laxative known to cause cramping and griping if other soothing herbs are not taken in conjunction. I do not remember which dynasty, but one panel named a court physician who specialized in the administration of senna as "The Keeper of the Royal Bowel Movement." And I thought I worked for a government agenct that was overly title oriented! David Alloway
What kind of fly is this? What can anyone tell us about it, except that it is blue? I took its picture in the valley just north of Clark Dry Lake which is in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California. Bill
Its a blue dragonfly. Tom
This type of fly is called a Robber's Fly. They usually grow to about 3/4 inch in lengh and make a very distinct noise when in flight. Paul
Send information to Feedback
"The Desert Milkweed, asclepias subulata, is almost exclusively pollinated by this insect. Can you please help me identify it? Thanks, CB."
This impressive-looking insect is a wasp of the genus Pepsis. Also known as the "Tarantula Hawk." --Eric
Send information to Feedback
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 1
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 2
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 3
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 4
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 5
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 6
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 7
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 8
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 9
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 10
Animals, Birds & Reptiles Page 11
Wildflowers and Cactus Page 1
Wildflowers and Cactus (Lara Hartley) Page 2
More pictures by Lara Hartley Page 2a
Cactus Page 3
Wildflowers and Cactus Flowers (Mel Burke)
Pictures from the Chihuahan Desert, Monclova, Mexico
Desert Landscapes Page 1
Desert Landscapes Page 2
Desert landscapes (birdman) page 3
Desert landscapes (B&W Alu) page 4
Desert landscapes page 5
Desert landscapes page 6
Desert landscapes page 7
Desert landscapes page 8
Desert landscapes page 9
Desert landscapes page 10
Desert landscapes page 11
Desert Cemeteries Page 1
Sunsets and Sunrises Page 1
Sunsets, Sunrises and Storms page 2
Sunsets, Sunrises and Storms page 2
Unusual Rocks and Geodes
Photos that need Identification
Other Photos
back to main photo page
If you would like to submit your content for review and posting, please click here to send us your content.
.
Do not change the subject line since we use it to filter our messages. It is ok to add your explanation to the email content area.
Please provide your name with all submissions. If you do not want your name published, just let us know. Photos should be scanned at 72 dpi and should be saved as Jpg or jpeg format and sent as a E-mail attachment (no files over 250K please). You can mail your photos or slides to us with a postage paid return envelope and we will do the scan.
Essays and other creative writing
Poems
Photos from our readers
Send DesertUSA a letter
General Feedback
|
