Elizabeth Blaker

Hundreds of species of succulent plants are native to the American Southwest. Succulents are any plant with fleshy tissue that’s adapted to store water to use during droughts. All cactus species are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.

Bumble bees are fuzzy, efficient and colorful pollinators. Arizona's mountains are home to a dozen species of bumble bees, out of nearly 50 native to North America and 250 worldwide.

The bright face of the Red-faced Warbler can glow like a gem against its contrasting black crown and pale gray breast. Both males and females share this color pattern, though the females are slightly duller.

Aquatic animals spring to life when rainwater collects in the sandstone potholes of the Colorado Plateau’s high deserts. These temporary pools range from a few inches to 50 feet deep and may last only a short while before they evaporate.