The froglets were emerging from the wetland around the same time.  Although Leptodactylus melanonotus was a couple weeks ahead, L. poecilochilus, Smilisca baudinii, and Hypopachus variolosus emerged very close to one another, and these three differ markedly in their morphology and, presumably, feeding behavior.  The co-generic species are obviously much more similar to one another than to the others, and could be foraging on similar prey or in similar habitat.  Is there a reason for this anecdotally observed pattern? Are the co-generic species emerging at different times to avoid competition? 

This Porthidium is the third venomous snake in Palo Verde.  The first one we found I accidently ran over with a rented car.  It didn’t die in vain though, as Charles took it back to the museum in Kansas.

A fantastically colorful wetland bird, the purple gallinule was skittish and quiet.  It prefers roasting in the cattail (Typha) and would squeeze into a small area within the cattail, keep totally silent and watch as I walked by, making it difficult to photograph them.  Most instances when I did see them, it was only their white rump as the quickly flew away.

A Northern Jacana flies passed.  In flight, the jacanas vocalize almost constantly, even when potential predators (like myself) are around.  It always seemed odd that the birds were so conspicuous.