Favoritos de mickewhy

Animal track, bird skull, American Crow with dimensions. Found dead in a wooded area. Carcass measured 44 cm. long. No evidence of predation, bird might have been poisoned. Large cranium and heavy beak present. Taphonomy by burial in soil then hydrogen peroxide-water soak and remnant soft tissue dissected off.

Early morning in the Temple of Hathor at Dendera Temple Complex, ascended the west staircase which winds around in a spiral to the roof and is dimly lit save for small window openings. This bat was on the wall and initially disturbed by me and flew out of sight further up the staircase. I followed and found it again resting on a scarab-shaped relief, where it remained as I carefully photographed it closer and closer. It flew off again descending the staircase and I was able to locate it on the main floor of the temple in a very dark, deep crack in the wall. I took a few more photos and it seemed rather irritated with me pursuing it so intently, so I finally left it alone. Its photo was included in the publication "Egypt’s Flora & Fauna; An AUC Press Nature Foldout" by American University in Cairo Press, with author Dominique Navarro and Scientific Consultant Richard Hoath, whose book "Mammals of Egypt" I used to identify this small, long-tailed bat.

Approximately 6 inches long, and about 3 inches at widest. Appears broken at front. 3 molars (?) on each side, other teeth are missing. Looks like sockets for five or six teeth before breakage. Was on a log, presumably someone else found it and set it there. No other bones.

I was absolutely ecstatic to have even seen a pacific jumping mouse but was even more shocked when it allowed me to take photos on my phone up close for a few minutes as it fed. This individual still had awareness but didn’t seem super bothered by my presence. I’ve been wanting to observe this species for a while and I’m so happy to have gotten this experience.

Edit: Saw a different individual in the same spot today (9/27/23, 1:20 PM). Glad to see population activity.