“Born To Run” Roadrunner (Chaparral Cock) in Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
— kenne
Greater Roadrunner — Images by kenne
“Throughout much of his range the roadrunner is known as the chaparral cock, or merely the chaparral. He also is called lizard bird, ground cuckoo, cock of the desert, and, as we have stated above, snake killer. The Mexicans call him the paisiano or the correo del camino. The first of these names means compatriot or fellow countryman; according to some writers it expresses affectionate regard, and is to be freely translated “little friend.” The latter is almost the equivalent of our name roadrunner.” — GEORGE MIKSCH SUTTON from the Bent Life History Series of Monographs
The roadrunner’s nest is in this cholla cactus just a few feet from two heavily traveled hiking trails — don’t think anything will bother this nest!
Roadrunner (Chaparral Cock) in Sabino Canyon, October 27, 2011 — Image by kenne
Born to run
Flying short distances only
Named for speed
Designed for racing
Laughed at by many
A coyote’s nemesis
Roadrunner by name
SafeSearch off
Chaparral Cock the same
SafeSearch strict
In the tree of life
A five-minute “silent witness”
kenne
