September 29, 2010 | 
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Winner Challenge for Charity September 2010
The September, 2010 Challenge for Charity has concluded and we have a winner! Larry Jordan of The Birder’s Report has won $10 for his local wildlife rehab, Shasta Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation. Larry recently toured the facility and wrote an excellent post about it, full of pictures and a couple of videos. If you want to see what goes on at Shasta, have a look! Now, for the answers…
Picture 1 | Turquoise Trail between Madrid and Santa Fe New Mexico, photo & © by Judy Martinez | Rainbow Grasshopper, Dactylotum bicolor
Picture 1 Question: Name the species or common name of this dazzling grasshopper.
Picture 1 Answer: Rainbow Grasshopper, Dactylotum bicolor. Isn’t he awesome?!
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Picture 2 | Johnson City, TX
Picture 2 Question: These photos are pretty bad, but I was excited to see this bird for the first time. Can you ID this bird?
Picture 2 Answer: This is a Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus), or at least I believe it is. Hopefully the next time I see one of these striking sparrows, I’ll get a better picture.
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Picture 3 | Plano, TX | metamorphosis
Picture 3 Question: What biological process is this animal experiencing?
Picture 3 Answer: metamorphosis. This little frog still has part of the tail he had as a tadpole.
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Bonus | Johnson City, TX | Castianeira
Bonus Picture Question: Name the Genus to which this spider belongs.
Bonus Picture Answer: Castianeira, possibly Castianeira occidens. This spider belongs to a group known as antmimics, though this doesn’t look like any any I know. It does kindof resemble a Velvet Ant, Family Mutillidae – which is really a wasp.
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The next Challenge for Charity contest will be posted on October 3. Thanks to everyone who participates, taking a moment to learn about nature and help out their favorite wildlife conservation cause!
Posted in ID Challenge
I love the pictures. I am so blessed to have lots of wildlife here at the sanctuary. The pig wallows and the water tanks are teeming with frogs..which type?..have no clue. Lizards are everywhere..which type?…I have no clue. Toads come out at night under the security lights to chow down on the insects. I haven’t seen my usual snakes this year but there have been quite a few young copperheads that show up at night with the big toads..I am assuming for the same game the toads are interested in. I took a picture of what I think is an orb spider just finishing her web. I will trying and figure out how to send it. It was an amazing work of art..and the next morning it looked as if she was transversing the web lookint as if she was reeling in the web. I may have to send it to you Amber..if you want to include it.
Hi Terry – you sure do have a great variety of wildlife at Serenity Springs. The spiders seem more active lately, busy spinning their webs of art. Will talk soon!
Thank you so much Amber. You certainly set a high bar on the conservation front and we birders and nature nuts love you for it. Actually, so do the birds and animals and the folks at Shasta Wildlife Rescue! Thank you for helping my local charity!
You are very welcome, Larry. Shasta also has you to thank for taking the time to stretch your wildlife ID muscles. I am so impressed with all you’ve been doing to help the Burrowing Owls! You lead by example, a quality I truly admire.