Jun 19
I had planned to photograph butterflies on the Colonel Devin Trail yesterday but that trail and many others in the Tonto National Forest are closed due to the extreme fire danger. Very disappointing but we all understood, of course. So instead of of a butterfly photo today, here is a shot of the wonderful Aspen Nature Loop trail. That’s my naturalist friend, Judi, on the trail.
Jun 18
This was the first Wildflower that greeted my Meetup Group last Saturday. I had never seen a Canadian White Violet so I was on my belly in almost a split second photographing it 🙂
Jun 17
Geum triflorum is also called Old Man’s Whiskers but I love the name Prairie Smoke! I didn’t think there would be any in bloom yet so it was a pleasant surprise to find them on Aspen Nature Loop trail.
Jun 16
This gorgeous forest floor plant reminded me of Lily of the Valley which is also called Solomon’s Seal. That family is Polgonatum and is considered a valuable medicinal plant. I don’t know if the species I found…Starry False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum) is also considered medicinal but maybe not since the word “false” is in the title. Either way…it was fun researching this one. I’m still trying to find out why it’s called “Solomon”, though.
Jun 15
I look forward to harvesting Foothill Palo Verde bean pods every Spring. They have a similar taste and texture to peas but being offered by nature, makes them so much more special, don’t you think? CLICK HERE for last year’s harvest.
Jun 14
There are several common names for this very cool plant……Green Gentian, Elkweed, Deers Ears and Monument Plant. It typically grows in open pine forests and aspen-conifer forests at elevations over 5000 feet. It can reach 8 feet in height but if there are Deer or Elk in the area, you’re not likely to see them that tall because they are a favorite food. Thankfully, they usually leave some of the gorgeous flowers for us to enjoy 🙂
Jun 13
A short hike to Viet Springs was as rewarding as Aspen Nature Loop. Besides the same flowers seen on Saturday, we also came across Spotted Coral Root …..an orchid.
Jun 12
Our digital group had a photography meetup on the Aspen Nature Loop trail in Flagstaff yesterday morning. I assumed there would be very few flowers so I planned to shoot mostly infrared but we ended up photographing 15 species! Western Blue Flag Iris was everywhere. A real treat.
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