Phoenix adventure 5: Some Things To Not Pick Up, then back to civilization
Sep 16, 2019 07:42:23 #
Here are pictures from the last day in the field in Phoenix last spring. I was in the area in order to take part in a fancy teaching conference that was sponsored by a big publisher. They had paid for the airfare and for a different hotel stay, and the conference was to begin later in the afternoon of my 5th day. So this had to be a shorter outing with the camera.
I started with another location along the Salt river in the Tonto National Forest. There were the flame skimmers (Libellula saturata), as shown, but then I saw some sort of pondhawk dragonfly. Our super-common Eastern pondhawk does occur in Arizona, but there are various western species of insects that are similar to eastern species. So I took pictures just in case. This paid off because this looks to be a male Western pondhawk (Erythemis collocata). Note the dark cerci, while Easterns have white cerci.
Flame skimmer dragonfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Western pondhawk dragonfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
It was soon time for the main hunting area that day, which was the Hassayampa Forest Preserve that was north of Phoenix. This was a long drive to a sufficiently high elevation that the Sonoran desert is displaced by grassy meadows and deciduous forest.
In an open field I came across another tarantula hawk, but she was not interested in getting her picture taken as she actively scoured the ground, moving and probing constantly for tarantula burrows. There was no point trying to keep up with her.
The remainder of my time was spent wandering a forest trail, searching for danger by rolling over logs and lifting up loose tree bark. I had a pair of extra-large forceps with me because I was hunting Things To Not Pick Up.
After a few inquiries into secret and dark places, I came across this little beauty. Hmmm, this looks a bit suspicious, don’t you think?
Western black widow spider by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Picking up the tree bark that she was sitting on, and angling it just so, I could see the tell-tale hour-glass. This is of course a Western black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans). I was careful to hold the piece bark from the rear of the spider, but she seemed entirely indifferent to my intrusion. There were numerous ants that were not happy, though.
Western black widow spider by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Moving on I continued to lift up loose bark. Not much time left, but after a short while I found a very fine bark scorpion! This looks to be the Arizona bark scorpion, Centruroides sculpturatus, and yes she would ruin my day if she stung me. I had dealt with scorpions before many years ago, and from that I knew these critters will climb surprisingly well. One had to be very careful.
Arizona bark scorpion by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Arizona bark scorpion by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
And with that, it was time for the long drive back across Phoenix to the airport to drop off the rental car and find a ride to the conference. Rush rush rush. Within a few hours I was checking in and later I was making light conversation with fellow academics, trying to act normal while sipping white wine and sampling cocktail shrimp. The rest of this trip felt very mundane, of course.
I started with another location along the Salt river in the Tonto National Forest. There were the flame skimmers (Libellula saturata), as shown, but then I saw some sort of pondhawk dragonfly. Our super-common Eastern pondhawk does occur in Arizona, but there are various western species of insects that are similar to eastern species. So I took pictures just in case. This paid off because this looks to be a male Western pondhawk (Erythemis collocata). Note the dark cerci, while Easterns have white cerci.
Flame skimmer dragonfly by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrWestern pondhawk dragonfly by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrIt was soon time for the main hunting area that day, which was the Hassayampa Forest Preserve that was north of Phoenix. This was a long drive to a sufficiently high elevation that the Sonoran desert is displaced by grassy meadows and deciduous forest.
In an open field I came across another tarantula hawk, but she was not interested in getting her picture taken as she actively scoured the ground, moving and probing constantly for tarantula burrows. There was no point trying to keep up with her.
The remainder of my time was spent wandering a forest trail, searching for danger by rolling over logs and lifting up loose tree bark. I had a pair of extra-large forceps with me because I was hunting Things To Not Pick Up.
After a few inquiries into secret and dark places, I came across this little beauty. Hmmm, this looks a bit suspicious, don’t you think?
Western black widow spider by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrPicking up the tree bark that she was sitting on, and angling it just so, I could see the tell-tale hour-glass. This is of course a Western black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans). I was careful to hold the piece bark from the rear of the spider, but she seemed entirely indifferent to my intrusion. There were numerous ants that were not happy, though.
Western black widow spider by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrMoving on I continued to lift up loose bark. Not much time left, but after a short while I found a very fine bark scorpion! This looks to be the Arizona bark scorpion, Centruroides sculpturatus, and yes she would ruin my day if she stung me. I had dealt with scorpions before many years ago, and from that I knew these critters will climb surprisingly well. One had to be very careful.
Arizona bark scorpion by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrArizona bark scorpion by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrAnd with that, it was time for the long drive back across Phoenix to the airport to drop off the rental car and find a ride to the conference. Rush rush rush. Within a few hours I was checking in and later I was making light conversation with fellow academics, trying to act normal while sipping white wine and sampling cocktail shrimp. The rest of this trip felt very mundane, of course.
Sep 16, 2019 07:56:54 #
Sep 16, 2019 08:09:44 #
Very interesting set. Far too many critters for me. I'd much rather see them from the camera's viewpoint. Mahalo for sharing.
Sep 16, 2019 08:14:23 #
Beautiful set. Lived in Phoenix for a year...always finding black widows in the house. They were unwelcome guests and were discouraged...
Sep 16, 2019 08:54:41 #
Sep 16, 2019 13:21:57 #
Sep 16, 2019 15:47:23 #
Sep 16, 2019 18:16:38 #
Sep 17, 2019 11:08:44 #
The amazement of your series and narratives leave me at a loss for words for they are beyond any praise. With that I'll simply say, "WOW!"
Sep 17, 2019 11:29:36 #
very nice series, enjoyed your narrative too.......our black widows love the water meter boxes
Sep 17, 2019 16:46:32 #
Sep 17, 2019 17:34:16 #
Sep 17, 2019 22:26:08 #
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