I recently took an art class here in Tucson & one of the highlights was that we had live Sonoran Desert critters brought into the classroom for us to sketch! I usually like to take my time creating art, but making these quick gesture sketches of Quincy the Gambel’s Quail was fun! Read about it on my blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/quick-sketches-of-quincy-the-quail

#SciArt #art #illustration #graphite #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #nature #bird #birds #birding #BirdsOfMastodon #quail

A pelican descends through a lush canopy of green cottonwood leaves, showcasing the beauty of a Sonoran Desert oasis.

This place, once vibrant with the Colorado River, now struggles as the water dwindles to a mere sliver.

#Nature #SonoranDesert

Our 1st ever Monarch Butterfly eclosed! 😍 Here’s my Perpetual Journal art of it & a Kingsnake from the same day + a Lucy’s Warbler & moths! Read more on my latest blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/butterfly-excitement-part-3

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #Tucson #SonoranDesert #biodiversity #ecosystem #nature #insect #arthropod #bug #bugs #bugstodon #moth #butterfly #Monarch #snake #reptile #bird #birds #birding #BirdsOfMastodon #warbler

Our 1st ever Monarch larva pupated 😍; here’s my Perpetual Journal art of it & Sonoran Desert wildflowers from ‘25, ‘24 & ‘23! Read more on my latest blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/butterfly-excitement-part-2

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #ecosystem #nature #climate #wildflower #BloomScrolling #Cactus #insect #arthropod #bug #bugs #bugstodon #butterfly #pupa #chrysalis #Monarch

To follow up on my recent Monarch larva art, here are my to scale photos comparing Monarch & Queen larvae showing their different sizes, patterns & number of tubercles! Read more on my latest blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/butterfly-excitement-part-1

#Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #ecosystem #ecology #nature #outdoors #climate #conservation #blog #insect #arthropod #bug #bugs #bugstodon #butterfly #larva #caterpillar #Monarch #NaturePhotography #PhotographersOfMastodon #Photography

For the 1st time EVER we had a Monarch Butterfly larva on 1 of our Milkweeds!!! So exciting!!! 😍 Here’s my Perpetual Journal art of it; read more on my latest blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/butterfly-excitement-part-1

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #ecosystem #nature #climate #wildflower #BloomScrolling #insect #arthropod #bug #bugs #bugstodon #butterfly #larva #caterpillar #Monarch

In my Tucson, AZ yard I’ve had 6 Queen Butterfly larvae pupate & eclose as butterflies in the past month! Here’s my Perpetual Journal art of a Queen chrysalis, Northern Cardinal & Brittlebush.

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #nature #Brittlebush #insect #bug #bugs #bugstodon #butterfly #larva #caterpillar #chrysalis #bird #birds #birding #BirdsOfMastodon #Cardinal

Rothesay man just had to try a 490-km run through a desert
A 304-mile, five-day run under the Sonoran Desert sun may not sound like a good time to everyone, but Brian Demmings of Rothesay couldn't resist.
#running #sports #desert #SonoranDesert #Rothesay #News
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/rothesay-man-arizona-monster-run-five-days-1.7511835?cmp=rss

This handsome critter showed up this morning for the first time since going into hibernation. I managed to lure it in with mealworms, which it eventually took from my hand.

Desert iguana Dipsosaurus dorsalis

The Zebra Tailed lizard in the yard earlier ate a ton of worms that I tossed, but wouldn't come close.

Still no sign of Harriet and Bill, my porch lizard friends from last fall. I'm really hoping to hang out with them again before I have to go north for the summer. It's hot enough now that they should all be coming out of hibernation.

#Lizards #herps #Herpetology #HarrietTheLizard #Arizona #SonoranDesert

In my latest blog post/email newsletter I continued my All About Birds mini-series. Here’s Part 3 featuring my natural history art & info:

https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/all-about-birds-part-3

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #environment #ecosystem #nature #outdoors #bird #birds #birding #BirdsOfMastodon #Cardinal #Bluebird #LesserGoldfinch #Goldfinch #arthropod #butterfly #larva #caterpillar #pupa #chrysalis

I always enjoy hearing Great Horned Owls calling & even better—hearing 2 GHOs duetting! Here’s my Perpetual Journal art of 2 GHOs duetting, a Cooper’s Hawk, & a small Mexican Poppy plant.

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #ecosystem #ecology #nature #outdoors #poppy #bird #birds #birding #BirdsOfMastodon #birdsong #hawk #CoopersHawk #Owl #GreatHornedOwl