Hydrology, Plants, and Wildlife in Pittman Wash
Normal flows over bedrock in Pittman Wash
Normal flows in Pittman Wash, flowing over impervious caliche bedrock.
Normal flows through sans and gravels in Pittman Wash
Normal flow in Pittman Wash, flowing through sands, rocks, and gravels. Occasionally the channel widens, creating pools. Much of the runoff in areas such as this are subsurface, through the substrate.
High flows in the Wash following rainfall in the area.
Flows in Pittman Wash can change rapidly during and after rainfall in the watershed. These flows can move sand and rocks, as well as other debris from upstream.
Fremont Cottonwoods, the largest trees in the Wash
Probably the most common tree in the Wash in Catclaw Acacia
There are a number of Fremont Cottonwoods in the Wash, especially just to the south of the Silver Springs Recreation Center. These are the tallest trees in the Wash and are typical trees in desert washes. In the fall, the leaves turn yellow to gold colors before shedding their leaves for the winter.
Fremont Cottonwood Flowers
Probably the most common tree in the Wash in Catclaw Acacia
Probably the most common tree in the Wash in Catclaw Acacia
Many people don't realize that all trees have flowers, because frequently the flowers are green and not particularly showy. Fremont cottonwoods fall into this category, with flowers appearing as the leaves are just budding/opening. The flowers hang down from the twigs in arrangements called catkins.
Probably the most common tree in the Wash in Catclaw Acacia
Probably the most common tree in the Wash in Catclaw Acacia
Probably the most common tree in the Wash in Catclaw Acacia
Catclaw Acacia can be identified by its small compound leaves, and its curved prickles (prickles are outgrowths of the bark on a twig), which resemble the claws of a cat, and catch onto anyone who gets too close when walking by the trees. The flowers are also arranged in catkins, appearing in April or May.
Screwbean Mesquite
Screwbean Mesquite
Screwbean Mesquite
Mesquite trees are about the same size as the catclaw acacias, but are easily identified by having straight spines (spines are modified leaves). Screwbean mesquite also has yellowish catkins and produces seed pods which are segmented similar to the rattle on the tail of a rattlesnake. The seed pods are an important food source for many birds and mammals.
Honey Mesquite
Screwbean Mesquite
Screwbean Mesquite
Honey Mesquite in another small tree, differing from screwbean mesquite by having less densely crowded leaflets and with seed pods which are flattened and more like pea pods. This tree is also important as a food for willife.
Desert Willow
Screwbean Mesquite
Desert Willow
Desert Willow is not a true willow, but belongs to a plant family characterized by large, colorful flowers. These trees are adapted to grow along stream corridors, however they have been cultivated and adapted to have more diverse flower colors, and to grow in areas with some irrigation to support their growth and survival. The flowers last from late spring into the hot desert summers.
Sacred Datura
Desert Willow
Sacred Datura is a common plant in moist soils throughout the southwestern U.S., with large white flowers during the late spring and summer.
Creosote Bush
One of the characteristic plants of the Mojave Desert is creosote bush, a mid-sized shrub with dark green leaves and yellow flowers. These shrubs can live for hundreds or thousands of years, but those found in the Wash are all less than 20 years old. Thes plants produce substance which limits growth of other plants nearby, thus limiting competition for water and nutrients.
Rubber Rabbitbush
Fall colors in the Wash are enhanced by the flowers of rubber rabbitbush, which can be covered in these bright yellow clusters of flowers.
Killdeers in the Wash
A common bird seen, but more often heard in the Wash is the killdear, so named because of its call when distrubed. Killdeers can be found year round in the Wash, but nest during the spring, laying eggs directly on the gravel, with the eggs colored similar to the gravel.
Dragonflies over the Water
The Wash is home to many species of dragonflies, such as this Flame Skimmer. Dragonflies lay their eggs in the water and hatch out as aquatic larvae, generally found under rocks, where they are predators on other aquatic insects. When ready, they crawl up on plant stems, shed they exoskeleton, and emerge as one of the fastest flying insects. Dragonflies eat other small flying insects, including mosquitos. Interesting, dragoflies are one of only a few insects which can turn their head to look around.
Only a few snakes are found in the Wash
Only a few snakes are found in the Wash
If you see a snake in the Wash it is most likely a Red Racer. Red Racers are one of the few snakes out in the middle of hot days. This snake is a subspecies of the Coachwhip snake of the eastern U.S. These fast-moving snakes are not venomous and will try to escape if approached but will bite if you try to grab ahold of one.