This lecture will discuss confluence, which is what happens when two washes join to form one. Confluence is significant to life and survival in the desert, and is a key point in understanding how to read topographical maps. Armed with the knowledge contained in this video, your travels through the

This lecture presents two scenarios involving predator and prey.  These scenarios depict how the reaction of one presents awareness by the other.  

The wind is a sizeable force and has a tremendous effect on the structure and plant and animal life in the environment. This lecture will help you learn and understand the wind and its effects in shaping the local environment.

The orientation of terrain is an often overlooked subject, yet it is a crucial element to understanding almost any environment.  Slopes found throughout the desert can dictate where some animals will live and where they will not or cannot. 

To further understand the wind and its effect on the environment, I present you with a model made of black basaltic rock and light colored sand.  This simplified model allows you to easily see the classic reactions between wind and terrain.  

Learning to track and read animal sign is a highly important skill.  This lecture speaks to some of the basic concepts and ideas and provides a framework on how to learn or further hone your skills.

Game trails are a fascinating subject and are often overlooked by many naturalists.  One can learn a lot from game trails, even if they’re not an expert in their usage and meaning.

This first lecture explains the value of understanding your optics and having the proper equipment.  Having this knowledge enables one to learn from the ultimate masters of the desert, such as the coyote, the desert bighorn sheep and so on.  

I present, on a basic level, a brief rundown of some of the technical issues you may encounter while using spotting scopes and binoculars.  

Binoculars – basic uses and their advantages.

Spotting Scopes – basic uses their advantages.