The entrance to Cave Creek Canyon, Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA.
Getting formal training in weevil systematics is rather rare. To date, most of my knowledge of weevils has been self-taught, or gleaned through discussions with other weevil people. So it happened, that when I heard that a workshop on weevil taxonomy was going to be held this month, I signed up like a shot.
Thus, I now find myself in southeastern Arizona, halfway through a week of learning about the weevil diversity of North America in the company of over 20 other keen people. These people include some of the most respected names in weevil taxonomy, the course being tutored by Bob Anderson, Nico Franz, Gregory Setliff, Anthony Cognato and Charles O'Brien. The workshop has involved a formal talks and demonstrations, field collections, and plenty of specimen identification and informal discussions about weevil biology, morphology and relationships.
The workshop is being held at the American Museum of Natural History's Southwestern Research Station, situated in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona. The station is surrounded by oak/juniper woodland, and all sorts of amazing plants and animals are abundant within close proximity of the station. Thus far, I have seen squirrels, rattlesnakes, deer, bombardier beetles, tarantulas, solifuges, woodpeckers, and hummingbirds, all without trying too hard.
Read:
Pine-Coffin RS (translator). 1961. The confessions of Saint Augustine Middlesex: Penguin
Pratchett T. 2011. Snuff London: Corgi
Psalms 90–95 Listened:
Rise Against—Endgame
Sufjan Stevens—The Age of Adz Watched:
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 5
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