The Llama
The llama originated in the central plains of North America about 40 million years ago, and over time migrated to South America. Used as pack animals by the Incas, they are still in use today as beasts of burden. They can carry 25-30% of their own body weight for several miles. View the video to learn more about these social creatures.

Borrego Springs, CA - Free Standing Art Structures
History is unfolding in Borrego Springs with the placement of the Gomphotherium free standing art structures. These creatures lived in the area about 3 million years ago. Dennis Avery, landowner of Galleta Meadows Estates has added 'free standing art', original steel welded sculptures created by Perris Jurassic Park's Ricardo Breceda.

2008 Wildflower Retrospectives
The 2008 Wildflower Season was the best in several years. Many readers wrote in and sent pictures of the flowers they found. We have made a video retrospective for each area: Arizona | Anza Borrego Desert SP | Death Valley NP | Joshua Tree NP | Mojave Desert & So. California | Nevada & Utah

The Tick
A tick will sneak up on you or your dog, take up a sequestered residence in secret body parts, administer a painless bite into the skin, and engorge itself with blood. A small fraction of an inch in length, a typical tick has a roughly teardrop-shaped, two-part body encased in a leathery, accordion-like, dark brown external skeleton.

 

The Black Widow Spider
The female black widow spider is the most venomous spider in North America, but it seldom causes death to humans, because it only injects a very small amount of poison when it bites. Black Widows spin webs that lack shape and form. The silk is stronger than most spiders. more videos like this

The Tarantula
The tarantula family includes the largest spiders known. The Goliath Tarantula (Theraposa leblondi) which inhabits South America, reaches a body length of 5 inches with a leg span of up to 12 inches. Tarantulas occur worldwide. Those found in North America occur in the southern and southwestern states. more videos like this

The Kingsnake
The Kingsnake gets its name from its habit of eating other snakes, and is most famous for eating rattlesnakes, copperheads and coral snakes. But it also feeds on other snakes, lizards, birds and their eggs, small mammals, turtles and frogs. This is one snake you want on your property. more videos like this

The Mountain Lion
The Mountain Lion, also known as the Cougar, Panther or Puma, is the most widely distributed cat in the Americas. It is unspotted -- tawny-colored above overlaid with buff below. It has a small head and small, rounded, black-tipped ears. Watch one in this video. more videos like this

The Rattlesnake
Rattlesnakes come in 16 distinct varieties, all positively identified by the jointed rattles on the tail. Most rattlesnakes, when disturbed, normally try to withdraw. But if they think they are cornered, the explosive sizzling buzz of their rattles is an unmistakable warning to retreat. more videos like this