My brother and family live on five acres in the Chihuahuan Desert. His place abuts a fifty thousand acres ranch. Just how cool is that! On our last full day, we spend the day at his house exploring. And he took us in his ATV up to the top of a nearby hill as well. Indeed, it was as fun as the state park.
This is a view of his place from the top of the hill. Their place is the first white building in the center in the distance.
Here you may remember I did show you this photo in the Datura and moth post. The hill on the far left is where the photo above was taken from. He told me they had some rain in June so that grasses had grown. Sometimes they see the cows and the pronghorns in the prairie! Neither were present on the days we were there.
First, here is Harlequin Bug (Murgantia histrionica) that was on one of the garden plants.
Indeed a lot of insects were swarming the Frostweed. This wasp (Polistes) was among the many that was on the plants.
Even a few American Snouts showed up too!
Next, a Canyon Towhee came in for a dust bath!
Female and an immature hummers came to the feeder, but this Downy Woodpecker dropped in too!
On the evening walk, I spotted the Black-throated Sparrow along the road! The Scaled Quail was usually around, however I never got a shot of them. ;-(
Additionally these guys were always singing and calling it seemed. This is the Curve-billed Thrasher!
Then we found the Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta) on the Jimsonweed or Moonflower (which ever you prefer to call it).
Finally, here is a movie of the Five-spotted Hawk moth (Manduca quinquemaculatus adult) moth doing its thing at the Jimsonweed.
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know.
6 Comments
Looks like a wonderful place. I lived on an 80,000 ac. ranch in sw new mexico once. Favorite place I ever lived. Love the high desert. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like a wonderful place. I lived on an 80,000 ac. ranch in sw new mexico once. Favorite place I ever lived. Love the high desert. Thanks for sharing.
And that is why you love New Mexico! It is a cool place!!!
Wow, I love that sphinx moth working that flower. What a great post!
Thanks!
Wow it is so neat that your brother lives out there so you can visit. Love the sphinx moth video! And awesome birds!!!!
It is great. Can’t wait to go back in the spring sometime.