The Loggerhead Shrike is common, but still a fun sighting when your are out in the field. The first time you find an insect or small reptile stuck on a mesquite spine or a barb wire is always a “what the heck?” moment. Years ago it lead me to investigate the natural history of this wonderful songbird predator or as my friend Peacock calls it, “the homicidal songbird.”
This was a fun episode to write…well, maybe fun isn’t the right word, but it was great to get excited about hedgehog cactus again....
I certainly opened a can of worms, at least for myself, when I started reading about Forestiera species. I had learned about F. neomexicana...
Berberis fremontii is in the Barberry family or Berberidaceae…that’s fun to pronounce. Fremont barberry has quite a range north of the Salt River in...
