Favoritos de loreplease

Host Larrea tridentata, an exception to the rule that desert mistletoe is only found in bean family trees and shrubs. I've seen it fairly often in creosote bushes, and have seen single instances of it in jojoba and tamarisk.

Class Notes: Invasive pyrrhocorid. These insects are a recent introduction to Arizona. They prefer to feed on weedy plants, particularly members of Malvaceae. Unlikely to cause pest damage, but have a tendency to aggregate.

Additional notes: Found this one hanging out on the side of the neighborhood pool this morning. A few records nearby, but this looks like the first one in Tempe. Will have to look to see if there is a large colony of them in the area.

Adults outnumbered nymphs at 10:1. Swarming on ground in very large numbers - 200+ per m² over an area 200m x 5m. Many paired. Some feeding on end-of-season Malva parviflora.

I couldn't figure out why the kestrels were talking so much and flying around a particular area until I came around the corner of the building and saw it. I'd seen it earlier, from a distance on top of the pine in my home community - looking towards the East.

Then around the corner of the building looking West, it was there on top of the pine that the kestrels consider as part of their territory to look over this field for prey. I guess a RED-TAILED HAWK had the same idea - looking for bigger prey though.

The kestrels were squawking and then I came around the corner so it must have felt outnumbered. This was the best shot I got as it flew away.

Two vultures in the exact same pose withing 20 yards of each other. No sign of gun shots. Possibly died from eating carrion which died from poison and thus poisoned the vulture? Either way, a sad sight.

I was riding my bike along the road and heard lot of bird noise coming from a Saguaro boot. A short observation revealed this baby Gila Woodpecker demanding his breakfast. I would not have know what type of bird this was but I saw his papa bringing the ravenous little guy something to eat. So Cute!