desert

Cracks in clay

The first monsoon has passed, leaving a few puddles that are going to rapidly evaporate in the desert. Some might be colonized by tadpoles, but these are unlikely to survive until they grow legs. As the clay dries, salts dissolved in the water form crystals. If the crystals are magnesium, the volume doesn't change. Mostly the crystals are sodium, and they shrink in volume. This pulls the damp clay into these classic three way cracks. A network of cracks forms the usual hexagonal pattern of dried desert lake beds.

The composition of the dirt goes from fine grained clay to coarse grained sand and these materials contract as they dry at different rates, causing a curling effect that small desert froglets can use to escape the hot sun for a little longer.

Frog eggs in clay

    The science of frog eggs is surprisingly complex. Fine clay in water can hide eggs from predators, like insects, but can also suffocate the delicate embryos.

Puddles create bird oasis in the desert

The short term standing water is surprisingly full of life, which attracts predators. Here is a track of a roadrunner, with two toes pointing oforwards, and two pointing back, making a classic "X" pattern.

This is a classic pattern of a small passerine bird, probably looking for insects, like beetles. The side by side pattern is from the hopping they do because of the unique pattern of their gripping legs

Seedlings in clay

 Some seedlings need soft mud to grow in new areas devoid of competition

Other seedlings push up through a firm cap of mud and sand that prevents new seeds germinating in an area. this growing seed must have been laying dormant for at least one year.

Other ephemeral pools have no clay. Often backswimmers fly in to feed on dead floating insects on clear, still water that is likely to stick around for a season. The soil here is usually black from plant and animal acids and algae. Ants and spiders patrol the wet edges for moths and winged insects that are attracted to the light reflecting off the water surface.

For some reason, the pollinators, like the butterflies and bees have moved on. The only insects left are a few bumblebees, flies and cicadas. This buck-eye was too weak to fly.