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River Road Alterna
Adult
male. A large part of the variability in alterna occuring
from west of about Sanderson, Texas can be attributed to various
arrangements of the alternating bands when they are present. In its
simplist form an alternate is but a single black band
separating the primaries. The next step in alternate complexity is the
triple alternate. Triple alternates can be as simple as those
illustrated by this specimen or they can be highly complex, stand alone
works of art that play off a design scheme put forth by the primary
bands. Triple alternates can further evolve into various combinations
of broken lines and simple geometric shapes that complement the
primaries, sometimes even incorporating a stolen bit of orange as a centerpiece of the
design. Speckling is the final extreme of alternate development. This specimen sports the famous "tomato red" River Road alterna are famous for.
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