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Ft Huachuca historical marker pullout, Hwy 90, Huachuca City, AZ

Pheidole titanis (major and minor workers)

Nest with single, unadorned, circular entrance hole. At least 2 separate foraging columns made up mostly of minors, with the occasional major. The ants were moving quickly and were not in single file. At least one of the columns lead to a source of termite workers underneath twig, leaf, and dried grass-stem litter. In some of the photos Ph. titanis minors can be seen capturing the termite workers. Ph. titanis has long been considered to be a specialized predator of termites.

NOTE: The majors did not seem particularly gigantic, especially when compared to the minors. Creighton and Gregg address this in ‘New and Little-Known Species of Pheidole from the Southwestern United Sates and Northern Mexico (1955). There appears to be a rather large size range for major workers in this species. Creighton and Gregg mention specimens ranging from 4.5-5.0mm, 5.5-6.0 and 7.25-8.0mm depending on the series/colony. The 7.25-8.0mm figure is for the type specimens and explains why Wheeler chose the name Titanis.

Overcast, breezy
AIR TEMP: 23°C/73°F
ELEVATION: approx. 1350m/4430ft
DLQ LOC: A21222

This was a long glass lizard, approx. 30-36” in length. In addition to its long length, note the absence of both lengthwise stripes below lateral groove and dark stripes down the middle of the back (O. attenuatus). Some large adults have a speckled appearance, like this one.

Note moderate size; dark reddish-brown banding on front end of body; alternating reddish-brown bands near rear of body; keeled scales. "Midland" ssp. (N. s. pleuralis). As this snake exited the lake around dusk, he slithered right over a massive Diamondback Watersnake (N. rhombifer) that was basking on a rock (second image).

Strangely found in a crack in the sidewalk just out front my office. Nice to find a herp when you're not looking for them; bonus find!! Walton County, GA. ©williamwisephoto.com

©williamwisephoto.com Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. March 29, 2024.

• Sunny, with a high near 75
• Sunrise 7:18 AM; Sunset 7:46 PM
• Daylight hours: 12 hours, 28 minutes (+2m 4s)
• Moon 82% Waxing Gibbous
• eBird checklist: S167504447

Walton County, Georgia. Monday, March 18, 2024. ©williamwisephoto.com

• Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
• Sunrise 7:40 am; Sunset 7:45 pm
• Daylight Hours: 12 hours, 5 minutes (+2m 6s)
• Moon: 65.6% Waxing Gibbous

Walton County, Georgia. Monday, March 18, 2024. ©williamwisephoto.com

• Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
• Sunrise 7:40 am; Sunset 7:45 pm
• Daylight Hours: 12 hours, 5 minutes (+2m 6s)
• Moon: 65.6% Waxing Gibbous

©williamwisephoto.com Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Sunday, April 16, 2023.

• Location: Suwannee Middle Fork (red canoe trail) near Minnie's Lake N30.85929° W82.32441°
• Cloudy with high 83, low 52.
• Sunrise 7:00 AM; Sunset 7:58 PM
• Daylight hours: 12 hours 57 minute (+1m 48s)

See and learn more about the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on my blog at www.okefenokee.photography

©williamwisephoto.com Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Sunday, April 16, 2023.

• Location: Minnie's Lake; N30.86442° W82.31940°
• Cloudy with high 83, low 52.
• Sunrise 7:00 AM; Sunset 7:58 PM
• Daylight hours: 12 hours 57 minute (+1m 48s)

See and learn more about the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on my blog at www.okefenokee.photography

©williamwisephoto.com Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Sunday, April 16, 2023.

• Location: north of Minnie's Lake between canoe mile markers 24 and 25; N30.88296° W82.29563°
• Cloudy with high 83, low 52.
• Sunrise 7:00 AM; Sunset 7:58 PM
• Daylight hours: 12 hours 57 minute (+1m 48s)

See and learn more about the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on my blog at www.okefenokee.photography

©williamwisephoto.com Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Sunday, April 16, 2023.

• Location: north of Minnie's Lake between canoe mile markers 23 and 24; N30.90193° W82.28598°
• Cloudy with high 83, low 52.
• Sunrise 7:00 AM; Sunset 7:58 PM
• Daylight hours: 12 hours 57 minute (+1m 48s)

See and learn more about the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on my blog at www.okefenokee.photography