Drowned Rat
Captain
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2004
- Messages
- 3,070
I can think of no place I would rather be. I went to the lake Sunday and hiked up one of the canyon drainages. I like to find and photograph unusual things and creatures, or sometimes just really cool stuff. Here is some of what I found on this particular expedition.<br /><br />Here is a mother Bald Eagle that I accidentaly flushed off her nest. She put up a fuss, but eventually posed for this photo. Arizona Bald Eagles are different that all other Bald Eagles in that they do not migrate. They are also smaller than other Bald Eagles. There is an effort to classify them as a sub-species because even though other Bald Eagles have enjoyed a ressurection after DDT, AZ eagles still struggle. If the Eagle is de-listed, the AZ Bald Eagle could become extinct.<br />
<br /> <br />I found this extremely rare Gila Monster getting her first drink of Spring after a 7 month hibernation. Gila Monsters are 1 of only 2 venomous lizards in the world. The other is the Mexican Beaded Lizard and both live in Arizona!<br />
<br /><br />I found this rock in the same river bed. It's a softer volcanic rock that trapped some locally found, much harder, Cave Creek Jasper within it. It's layers slowly exfoliated by the elements toproduce this incredible specimen. I wet the rock to really bring out the color.<br />
<br /><br />A not so uncommon creature in the desert, but my first spotting of the season, a Western Diamond-Backed rattlesnake not at all happy with me. You will notice my distace even with the camera fully zoomed in.<br />
<br /><br />And finally, a cottonwood oasis in the middle of an otherwise arid landscape. A potential lifesaver for the wayward desert traveller.<br />
<br /><br />Nice pics btw<br /><br />spots
