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| Townsend's big-eared bat |
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| Hog-nosed snake |
The last week has been full of signs that the season is changing. Summer's apogee, and fall's approach.
The rains have returned and the temperatures have dropped. I even considered making a fire a few days ago. The arroyo is running behind the barn for the first time since last year. This morning I saw a tarantula crossing the highway south of Lamy. All the stock ponds are full and the washes have all been running. At White Lakes the county road was impassible, and I heard a chorus of frogs and/or toads in the new puddles. I saw no curlews, so they may have not stayed to breed this year or already left.
I've been seeing Calliope hummers at my feeder for the past week. They are real beauties and its the first time I've seen them here. They are constantly being chased by the larger Rufous hummers which have been around since early July.
Another species I have never seen here, but found a few days ago is the Hog-nosed snake. It was a very small, recently born one that I moved off the road in Rancho Viejo.
The hawks and falcons have been flying over and loudly calling in the Canyon. One day it was a an adult Sharp-shinned carrying a prey item while a fledgling flew after it begging to be fed. Yesterday there was an adult (Peregrine or Merlin?) with prey flying over with its fledgling in hot pursuit.
About 3 days ago a Townsend's big-eared bat reappeared in the back room of the barn, as one has for the past few years for a brief stay.
