BIOS 275 Project

1. Arizona Desert:
Thunderbird Conservation Park,
Hedgpeth Hills, Trails H-5, H-4,
and H-1
Respectfully Submitted By:
Amy Wildermuth
BIOS 275

2. QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

3. H-4
• Me on the H-4 Trail
• Using a “Camelback”
to stay hydrated
• Hat to blend in with
surroundings
• Ready to spot some
wildlife and new
plants!

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcOH4xZhbmg
Please click the following link or copy and
paste it into your web browser to view 5
different animal species found in Thunderbird
Park as well as one incredible sneeze by me:
H-4 Wildlife Observation

5. Animal Species in Video
• Falcon
• Hawk
• Dove
• Desert Ground Squirrel
• Gambels Quail

6. H-4 Snakes!
• Snake Holes
• Sonoran Desert Snake
Inhabitants:
Kingsnakes,
Rattlesnakes, non-
venomous snakes
• These holes most
likely belonged to
non-venomous snakes

7. Insect!
• This insect was found
along the H-4 trail
• The insect was about
as large as my index
finger from the second
knuckle to the tip
• Not the most attractive
fellow.

8. Insectomonium
• Another view of the
poor fellow

9. Creosote Bush

10. Apricot Mallow

11. Arizona Lupine

12. Chia

13. Rabbitbrush

14. Sand Verbena

15. Desert Shrub

16. Saguaro Cactus

17. H-5 and H-1 Entrance

18. Me at H-5 and H-1 Entrance

19. Saguaro Cactus

20. Flowers of the Creosote Bush

21. Apricot Mallow Flowers

22. Desert Broom

23. Two Distinct Types of Desert
Moss

24. Desert Tree, Habitat of various
songbirds observed on the trail

25. Desert Ground Squirrel Habitat
H-5

26. Failed Attempt to Capture Gecko
on Film

27. Woodpecker Site

28. Desert Plant

29. Cactus Wren

30. Desert Ground Squirrel Habitat,
H-1

31. H-1 Sand Verbena

32. H-1 Habitat

33. Snake Holes! H-1

34. Red Beetle, H-1

35. Hawk Soars Away

36. Interesting Species!

37. Location of Desert Hummingbird
on H-5

38. Attempt at capturing elusive
Desert Hummingbird

39. Beautiful Desert Paintbrush

40. Rabbit Sighting

42. Brittle Bush

43. Cactus Wren Spotting

44. Brittle Bush H-5

45. In Conclusion
• This project was an incredible experience
that both heightened my awareness for my
natural surroundings, but also implored me
with the importance of conserving the
habitat of so many beautiful plants and
animals
• Although my camera died during the last
leg of my journey, I was still able to witness
incredible diversity within a desert
community that I will forever remember.

46. In Conclusion
• From this experience, I gained knowledge of plants and
animals, and pushed myself to look beyond normal
appreciation and seek out the subtle beauty of the desert.
• I am so thankful for this project for I now have a new
hobby that I wish to continue no matter what environment
I am in: Wildlife Observation and Conservation.
• I can not wait to begin my activism for the preservation of
natural habitats for plants and animals and I am SO
thankful for this project at it has been my catalyst to
growth and change for my perspective on the future of this
world. Thank you so much for the experience!

47. Cute Desert Ground Squirrel, H-
5

48. Failed Attempt at Walking Insect
on Brittle Bush

49. It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a
Horse on the Trail!

50. Desert Grasshopper- What
Camouflage!!!

51. H-5 Camera Death,
Trail Sightings
* Desert ground squirrel
* Chipmunk
* Cottontail rabbit
* Jackrabbit
* Mice

52. H-5 Camera Death, Wildlife
Sightings by Water Reservoir
• Cactus wren
• Gambels quail
• Dove
• Duck
• Killdeer
• Heron
• Hummingbird <----ADORABLE!

53. Intermingling of Bushes:
Desert Love