12 replies to this topic

[thosaka]

I will report what I find at Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Some myrmecocystus mexicanus would be nice, but I have low expectations, I am expecting to not find any queens. I'll bring back alot of pictures. Hopefully I don't get stranded and die like the two tourists in Joshua Park.

Edited by Tagassi, March 27 2017 - 9:08 PM.

[Vanko]

Post some photos !!

Edited by Vanko, March 27 2017 - 10:15 PM.

[Jelly]

Good luck!

[SoySauce]

Good luck!!!  I'm going out tomorrow too.  I'm planning to start at Cleveland National Forest and work my way up northeast into the desert too.  I'm a bit concerned about how windy it is today though.  If there were any small dirt mounds at the founding chambers, they're sure to have already blown away.

 

The wind is supposed to die down later today though.  I hope those queens get busy digging tonight!

[SoySauce]

Any luck today? There was nothing at Cleveland National Forest although I saw a lot more variety of ants today. I headed towards the desert and saw some amazing views. I stopped by this place:



I found this:



Sorry about the bad picture and lighting. She hactually has a bit of red tint to her Andy I guesstimate that Shea's around 8-10mm. I'll ask for a proper ID when I get home. I'm gonna spend the night in Palm desert and maybe hit Joshua tree tomorrow.

[Alabama Anter]

Looks like Myrmecocystus to me

[soulsynapse]

I didn't see anything today : | they were all hiding away

[dspdrew]

I found this:



Sorry about the bad picture and lighting. She hactually has a bit of red tint to her Andy I guesstimate that Shea's around 8-10mm. I'll ask for a proper ID when I get home. I'm gonna spend the night in Palm desert and maybe hit Joshua tree tomorrow.

 

Nice. Where exactly did you find that, and did you dig her out of a founding chamber?

[SoySauce]

I found her at the Culp Valley Natural Perserve off of Montezuma Valley Road. It was at a pretty high elevation up in the mountains, right before you go down into the Borrego Springs. And I found her in her founding chamber.

I think they flew awhile ago though. It was pretty lucky that I found her. I just saw a small mound with no hole. I think she plugged herself up. I just randomly dug it because it seemed like a founding chamber mound. The location was a good one though. I saw plenty of ants there and don't quote me but they seemed like they were all different types of honeypots. I didn't see any v. pergandei like the lower desert, no harvesters, fire ants, or any other types.

The drive down the mountain is beautiful too. You can see the Salton Sea off in the distance. That's another great aspect of anting. I'm seeing and experiencing parts of California I would've have never otherwise done.

[SoySauce]

So many flowers too. I've never seen the desert so colorful.

[dspdrew]

Nice pictures. Yeah, that queen probably flew back during that slight heatwave we had a couple weeks ago. They must not be digging too deep up there.

[thosaka]

I saw the exact same orange bugs you did soysauce. Looks like we were in the same area alright.

[Vanko]

Very good photos 👍🏼