December 24, 2009 | 
Author 
Winner - Jason Hogle - chose to let me choose the charity!
The last ID Challenge contest for 2009 has come to a close and we have a winner! Jason Hogle of Xenogere was the first person to get the most number of correct answers. This month, we had 2 participants – thank you!
Jason has chosen to let ME choose the charity! Thanks so much, Jason – you’re the best. I am delighted to send this check to Project Coyote, a wonderful organization that I am currently researching.
Look for another year of monthly contests in 2010, where participants can play to win donations for their favorite wildlife/nature/conservation charities.
And now, for the answers:
Picture 1 | Pottsboro, TX | Harris's Sparrow
~
Picture 2 | Plano, TX | Orbweaver
Note: I am able to identify this spider as far as to say it is one of the Orbweavers (Family Araneidae), but I have no doubt that Jason has further identified this spider correctly, as a Barn spider (Neoscona crucifera).
Picture 3 | Plano, TX | Shumard Red Oak
Posted in ID Challenge
Happy Holidays Amber! And congrats to Jason and Project Coyote. Project Coyote is a great organization and they have been very helpful to me personally and are quite informative. I support them both monetarily and participating in their calls to action.
Thanks, Scott. I learned about Project Coyote from your site, and have made it a point to learn more about them and their sponsor Earth Island. Very cool, I like what they’re doing, and thanks to Jason – this month’s donation goes to them!
Great charity choice, Amber! Great choice indeed. And thank you for this continuing effort to engage, teach and support. Saying it’s admirable and appreciated hardly does it justice.
Thank YOU, Jason – for participating, and for asking me to choose the charity.
Congratulations, Mr. Hogle! In order to compete at your level, I’m putting myself on a regimen of performance-enhancing steroids (unless Amber starts getting suspicious and insists I submit a urine sample with every entry).