A homage to arid landscapes, exploring the wild inhabitants of the American Southwest's deserts. We discover the startling beauty of the Mojave, Sonoran, Great Basin, & Chihuahuan deserts & their indigenous populations through the notebooksÓ of a dedicated naturalist who loves the desert. With 40 amusing & intriguing scientific essays, we are introduced to the fascinating residents of a seemingly barren landscape, offering keen-eyed observations & poetic reflections on the history, myths, & habits of each. Each portrait includes a precise, vivid color illus. & a fact-filled sketch of the subject's behavior, range, & habits. Also, hints about where & when to spot these elusive desert dwellers.