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Posts from the ‘Flora’ Category

Jan 29

Desert Broom

Desert Broom gets a bad rap here even though it’s a native. In the desert, it minds its own business growing along side other shrubs but if seeds land in disturbed soil, it grows so quickly that it is perceived to be an invasive. It’s also been accused of being highly allergenic but I’ve read this has been dis-proven. Personally I like it but I love all desert plants and really enjoy documenting their growth cycle. Here’s what it looks like after the fuzzy seeds have been blown off. (Desert Broom with a couple of texture layers)

Jan 27

Ancient History

If you haven’t been to Spur Cross Ranch in Cave Creek, be sure to check out their hike schedule for the next hike to see these petroglyphs. The history of the area (our whole area!) is fascinating. Can’t get enough of it 🙂

Captured in 2007 with an infrared converted Canon S3 IS.

Jan 25

Geology

I’m absolutely fascinated with the geology of our area and have been learning a little while collecting geology related photos for an up-coming MSC field guide. The top of Browns Mountain (in the background) is made up of volcanic rock from ancient lava flows. While looking for a good photo of the basalt all over the ground around the mountain, this odd depression caught my eye. Marianne Scenarian (as I’m sometimes called) pictures a lava bubble coming to the surface. Gotta ask about it 🙂

Jan 23

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Spring has Sprung-maybe

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 20

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Fire

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

Cell Phone-ography

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

Over the McDowells

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

Anemone Tuberosa

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.

 

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