[Bloated Chipmunk]

This was my 1st official animal tracking transect/survey after taking the training class in late February. It was a hot day in the desert & turnout was low. High winds the day before & day of likely erased some of the tracks, so we didn't see a whole lot. In any case it was still good to get out & learn a few things. We met @ the end of pavement of DiGiorgio Rd. in BS @ 7:30AM. For once, I actually had to get up earlier than I do for work in order to make it here on time.

@ the end of pvmt

Once everyone showed up, we piled into 4WD vehicles to go a few miles up the canyon to the Middle/2nd Willows area to conduct our survey. There were still a fair amount of plants blooming so that was a pleasant surprise.

Psorothamnus schottii (Indigo Bush)

Krameria bicolor (Rhatany)

Krameria bicolor (Rhatany)

Chilopsis linearis ssp. arcuata (Desert Willow)

Chilopsis linearis ssp. arcuata (Desert Willow)

Chilopsis linearis ssp. arcuata (Desert Willow)

Chilopsis linearis ssp. arcuata (Desert Willow)

Allionia incarnata (Trailing Windmills)

Hyptis emoryi (Desert Lavender)

Fouquieria splendens (Ocotillo)

The elusive Square Top

Jaw bones

This was an easy morning of wandering around very slowly, & could not be considered a hike by any stretch of the imagination. Nevertheless, I still rewarded myself with a cold margarita @ lunch in BS.

Post survey marg

[Ski]

would I be correct in assuming #7 and #23 are some sort of bird? something about "Desert Willow" that reeks of "oxymoron". maybe not.