As the sun rose I took a walk up the dunes to look for tracks and signs of insects and critters. I increased the contrast in the photos below so the tracks would show up better. I believe the ones below are tracks of doves since there were a great many of them in the area.
Next is a borrow and thrown mound of a Giant Scorpion (Vaejovidae smeringurus mesaensis). Along a small wash I found a lot of them set up like condos with a river view. Here is a close up of one. The unstable sand requires them to reexcavate frequently.
This may be it's trail.
or this
Below is another interesting track. If anyone knows what these are please leave a comment and let me know.
Here is a nest I found in a Cholla Cactus (Opuntia imbricata). I believe it was made by a Cactus Wren.
The area remained a favorable environment for Native people until the 1880s, when the Texas and Pacific Railroad selected Monahans as a water stop between the Pecos River and the town of Big Spring, where my family lived for a short while. In the late 1920s, oil production began in the area, now commonly known as the Permian Basin.
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3 comments:
Very cool photos of the various tracks. The ones left by doves are almost a floral pattern. Interesting too when compared to the big, deep prints left by humans.
Bruni
I agree with you comments. It was great fun looking at them all, just wish I knew what they were or had been outside when they walked by. Are you looking for tracks in the snow?
This post has such delicate beauty, the first photo puts one in a pensive sunset mood, the sky streaks contrast with the pale expanse of sand, the ephemeral tracks are like fairy jewelry or a whispered story and the wispy woven wreath of mother love beckons one to curl up and sleep under desert stars
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