Jul 20
Looking for a photo yesterday, I came across a few Creosote Galls in the making. When finished, the galls will be twice this size and the green will dry out to brown. A tiny Gall Midge (Asphondylia aurinila) is the architect behind this cool little ball.
The soft background is courtesy of my Canon 180 Macro.
Jul 19
Unfortunately, my suspicion regarding the buds on the Arizona Queen of the Night being dehydrated was correct. My friend Joni and I went out first thing this morning and although the buds were still there, some were already detached and when the plant was bumped slightly, the rest fell off. Thankfully, the plant is really healthy so there’s always next year!
Jul 17
When photographing Wildflowers, you want to look for freshly opened specimens because they’re typically unblemished and full of pollen. We’ve seen very few Columbine this trip so when I saw this beauty at 11,300 feet, I risked life and limb (really!) by climbing down a steep slope. I wouldn’t have done it if Chris hadn’t been close by, of course 🙂
Jul 15
While searching for Wildflowers on Alta Mine Road, we encountered these guys. I could tell by their eyes they were Hares and not rabbits so I looked them up and found they are Showshoe Hares. Wow….did that bring back memories. The last time I saw Snowshoe Hares was when I lived in Canada. It brought up a memory of getting in trouble in class when the teacher was telling us about them. She explained how their huge wide hind legs made it easy for them to run in snow and thus escape their predators. Always wanting to share my knowledge (yes it started early 🙂 ), I raised my hand and announced that the Hares also turned white in the winter and I knew it because I had seen it. The teacher (a city girl new to farmland) accused me of making it up! I was given some kind of punishment…probably writing “I must not lie” a hundred times on the blackboard. The next day, she apologized to me in front of the whole class and we discussed the phenomenon of this hare turning white in the winter 🙂
Jul 14
Wildflowers and bugs on Priest Gulch Trail…fun stuff!
L-R: Scarlet Gilia, Oxeye Daisy, Penstemon
Jul 13
Priest Gulch is our new favorite place to camp (2nd to Sedona). The campground is seemingly out in the middle of nowhere sitting right along the Delores River. The scenery is spectacular, Wildflowers are blooming, there is no cell service but they have internet…..just perfect 🙂
Jul 11
Wildflowers are popping up everywhere in Flagstaff. Pictured here is one of the common Penstemons seen at higher elevations (Aspen Nature Loop). Yesterday I photographed over a dozen Wildflower species. It looks like it’s going to be a great summer!
Jul 10
Several trails off Snowbowl Road intersect with the Arizona Trail. Today my friend Judi and I hiked a portion that starts close to Aspen Corner and goes past Apsen Nature Loop. This particular trail goes all the way to Bismark Lake. At about the 2 mile mark, is the most spectacular stand of Aspens and the forest is thick with ferns. I could have stayed for hours just photographing but that’s not Judi’s thing and I knew I’d be coming back in mid August. Can’t wait!
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