The Coachwhip snake is found all over southern Arizona in one color phase or another. I do remember finding a black phase Coachwhip years ago at our home northwest of Tucson. Out in the grassland near our home in Cochise County I only find the red phase. Regardless of the color phase, these snakes are super fast and can also be super aggressive. These non-venomous snakes are amazing hunters and eat a variety small mammals, reptiles and birds. We’re so lucky to have these rascals out in the desert. Take a picture of this wonderful snake if you can find one holding still for any length of time, but don’t try to pick it up. Believe me.
The specific epithet ligusticifolia for this Clematis means that the plant has leaves like Ligusticum or lovage. I used the name Levisticum for lovage...
On cloudy mornings Petey likes to trot across the grassland. Or is that the lala land? Cloudy monsoon mornings are wonderful and there is...
Isn’t it wonderful to live in a region where clouds and humidity and rain are so celebrated? You can identify the natives and converted...
