Some very odorous plants reside in the desert. Especially the unpalatable, habitual (and habitat forming!), millennium living Creosote bush. This plant is in the family Zygophyllaceae and has the scientific name Larrea tridentata. In some of the harshest flats, it may grow as the only species. Plants in the family are sources of timber, resin, medicines (mildly toxic), etc. and grow in arid climates. The creosote bush can be dormant for up to 2 years, and will drop its leaves and, in extreme circumstances, some of its branches too, in an effort to keep the main part alive.
But when the rain comes, the leaves of the geminate leaves of the creosote open up and come alive. The chemicals in its resins become volatile and give the desert its "rain smell" that's so unique from the usual petrichor. On our drive out of Organ Pipe National Monument, it rained lightly, and we got to take it all in.
From the base of the Arch Canyon trail in Organ Pipe National Monument it was noticeably chilly, but spirits were high. As we commenced the trail, my blood was rushing from the excitement of what was ahead and from all the squats I was doing as I stopped to get a closer look at new plants and lichen that dotted my path. Scanning the walls, we saw stunted trees and shrubs hanging on to the rocky cliffs by their tangled roots. Although these conditions were fine luxury compared to the drier places we had visited earlier in the week, I'd say this was still a tough life. These organisms have to be tougher than the toughest weather conditions come their way, and I was impressed to see so much life as we made it 700 ft up from where we started at the trailhead. How strong the western winds blow is known to the one who scales the Arches. Strong enough to blow seeds to the lops of the cliffs. Strong enough to move rocks off their equilibrium. Strong enough to make me nervous on the narrow pass. Not strong enough to deter small rodents and birds from calling this place home. Not strong enough to stop us from scaling and observing.
I wonder what it is like on a calm day...
The Arches are not permanent, but a temporary geological phenomena. One day, the winds may blow them over.
Out in the desert, life is hard. All organisms are on an endless search for resources and a means to stay alive. Life and death play a big role in this cycle. A grasshopper in the rapturous jaws of a zebra-tailed lizard means toast for one and sweet sweet satisfaction for the other. Thats exactly what I saw with my fellow classmates. As we stalked this little lizard from shrub to shrub for some A++ pictures to put on iNat, we saw a vicious battle unfold. In an effort to avoid being crushed by humans the grasshopper (who shall not be named) made his leap of faith, only to be spotted as an opportunity snack for the lizard. The lizard aborted all escape plans to a new shrub haven, and darted toward the open rocky sand to claim his victim. But the lizard bit more than he could chew, the grasshopper put up a fight! Even as limbs were lost and eyes were swallowed, the grasshopper struggled in vain. The lizard claimed the rest of his meal in peace, camouflaged in the shade of the shrub.
