Western Kingbirds can be found in open areas, perching on branches, wires, and fence posts. They hunt from the perch and fly out to catch insects such as wasps, bees, beetles, grasshoppers, flies, caterpillars, spiders, and millipedes. They will also eat fruit and berries. Western Kingbirds are widespread and can be found west of the… Read More A KINGBIRD
Here are a couple dragonflies I saw at Bubbling Ponds recently. The Flame Skimmer is a dragonfly of the Southwest, they are native to western North America. Their distinguishing characteristic is dark red-orange body. The females are usually darker than the males. The Blue-Eyed Darner is a common dragonfly in the western United States, spotted… Read More DRAGONFLIES
Great Purple Hairstreak, also known as Great Blue Hairstreak, are mostly black with two long iridescent blue markings on hind wings and red at base of wings. The caterpillars are green with black and yellow stripes and orange hair. Their host plants are mistletoe and they feed on cottonwood, juniper, oak and walnut trees. They… Read More GREAT PURPLE HAIRSTREAK
Fig Beetles are a flower scarab beetles found around much of the southwest during summer monsoons in July and August. They are colorful and seen in the daylight hours. The Fig Beetle name comes from them eating sap and fruit, which includes figs, along with prickly pear fruit. Here are some I saw on thistle… Read More FIG BEETLE
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