In the wild, packrats make their dens (called middens) hidden in thick clumps of cacti or in tight rocky crevices where only snakes can reach them. This is why some leggy lizards evolved into legless lizards called “snakes”. Under these hunting conditions, legs would be an impediment. In our yard, their favorite nesting places are either in a hole under our largest gaggle of prickly pear or the 1.3-inch-wide space between a retaining wall and our hot tub. Around human dwellings, packrats can be incredibly destructive. In the process of making their elaborate dens into comfortable, well-insulated, and nearly impregnable fortresses, they will appropriate almost any material, including twigs, discarded carpet or cloth, animal fur, dryer lint, cardboard, plastic … almost any clutter we leave around.  But by far their favorite building material is found under the hood of a car that has remained stationary for one-too-many nights. A few … Continue reading

This Great Blue Heron landed briefly on a friends chimney Saturday afternoon. If herons are here there must be fish somewhere in Tucson.

These are two of my favorite photos.  It gets hot here and even the snakes need a break. As luck would have it, this was a harmless Gopher Snake. The differences can be subtle. The jawline is different. A rattlesnake has a triangular shaped jaw and oh, rattles. The coloration is much the same as you can see.  This watering can is extremely small, not more than 12 inches tall. This was an interesting find. Be careful where you put your hands! … Continue reading