much maligned plant. important in the fall as you say. 45 years ago before i knew better i tried to pull one out by tying it to the rear bumper of a 72 ford pinto wagon. the broom won.

yes been lucky for many years. i think a background process in one's brain looks for such patterns on the ground. I never get used to it though and still leap in the air upon recognition. the diamondbacks typically don't want any trouble but if you step on one it would be bad.

aha... packrat is guilty

We call them packrats but now I see that the more precise common name is "white throated woodrat". They are cute until they chew wires in your car. In my experience some car brands seem tastier than others.
www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long...