Jan 23
Storksbill Filaree is one of the first wildflowers to appear in the Spring and we’re seeing a lot of it up in the North Access area of the Mcdowell Sonoran Preserve. However, it’s appearance could just be the result of our extra warm Winter so I’m not giving official notice yet. Barring a hard frost, though, it does look like we might be in for a good Spring Bloom!
Jan 22
This month marks the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy‘s 20th year! Lots of festivities the the Gateway Trailhead enjoyed by stewards of all shapes and sizes 🙂
Jan 21
Another Tortoise rock face greets us up near Toms Thumb. It was a flat image so I applied a little color/contrast punch using Topaz filters.
Jan 20
I’m late with my photo this morning because I forgot I was leading a couple of friends out to the Marcus Landslide. Thank goodness they sent me a note to let me know they were leaving their house or I would have been sitting at my computer in my PJs when they came 🙂 (Fire devastated most trees in the Landslide area leaving these skeletons. I captured this one using my infrared converted Canon 5D. The color is result of a custom white balance.)
Jan 19
A quick shot with my DroidX using one of my many creative apps. Such fun! I’m jealous, though, of you iPhone 4 users because you have many, many more creative options. CLICK HERE for some of the most popular. When my contract is up, I’ll be getting an iPhone through Verizon. That’s two years away which seems a long way away BUT by then, the camera in these devices is bound to have improved by leaps and bounds!
Jan 18
I went on a wonderful 8 mile hike yesterday in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve with two fellow wanna-be botanists. We had a blast locating particular species that grow at elevation. My two friends had not done this North to South over the mountain trail so they were ooing and ahhing at the vistas. The scenery was spectacular, as you can see so I’m still in awe every time I do it. This photo shows approximately the half way point as we’re heading down to the trailhead. All in all……a fantastic day with plenty of flower sightings. I think we’re in for a great Spring!
Jan 17
Went on a hike in Cave Creek with the Desert Foothill Lands Trust people on Saturday. It was an extra treat because Steve Jones (MSC’s favorite botanist) was along! He identified this sprouting plant as being Anemone Tuberosa aka Desert Anemene. It’s difficult to find in full bloom because they close early in the morning but I’ve been lucky the last couple of years.
Jan 16
This spectacular sunrise lasted only a couple of minutes so by the time I got my camera and positioned myself, I only got two shots. Thankfully, one was in focus. In my rush to get into position below the cholla skeleton, I bumped into a particularly nasty Prickly Pear Cactus. Was it worth getting glocids in the side of my head? I got the shot so;..Yes 🙂
Captured in my backyard this morning.
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