Saguaro pleats/ribs are typically vertical but occasionally we come across some like this.
Contrast and B/W treatment added with Topaz filters.
wildflower sighting in north preserve
The North end of the Preserve is beginning to bloom! We spotted Combseed (Pectocarya penicillata) in the Rock Knob/Marcus Slide area of the Preserve this afternoon. I think of this teeny tiny white flower as the first wildflower of the season. Next to bloom will be Cryptantha and Fiddleneck which are already several inches tall. A freeze is still possible but we’re thinking positively!
Combseed (Pectocarya penicillata) is so tiny (note the decomposed granite), you won’t notice it at first glance.
Combseed flower
hello aloe
More of my plants are showing signs of impending bloom. I and hummingbirds are eagerly waiting!
Aloe captured in my yard this morning.
Aloe Bud See? I can shoot other things besides faces 🙂
Tech stuff: Canon 180 Macro lens. ISO 400, 1/125 sec, f/5.6. (I used my dreaded tripod)
does this face look familiar?
Does this boulder face look familiar? Maybe I should first ask if you see a face? (upper right)
What came to my mind when I saw this boulder was the jazz singer on the Muppets. Remember her? As I walked a little farther, she was even more clear. While looking for a link to include, I found out her name is Janice. I never knew that, did you? To do her justice, I gave her a makeover. OK…just plain silly, I know 🙂
cholla face inspires artist?
The first time I noticed a Cholla face, I was reminded of the painting “The Scream”, by Edvard Munch. There aren’t any Cholla Cactus in Norway but maybe he was inspired while on vacation here? 🙂
This one appears to have come in contact with some Prickly Pear Cactus spines.
Once you see your first cholla face, I’ll bet you you can’t pass a skeleton without seeing more!
sonoran songbird
Today I’m including a little clue to what I was thinking when I spotted this boulder 🙂
Seen from trail 31 on State Trust Land.
toms thumb climbers
There are many excellent places for rock climbers in the Preserve and it’s always a real treat to see them in action. Late yesterday we were lucky to see two climbers on Tom’s Thumb which looks to me like one of the toughest climbs in the Preserve so it was especially exciting! Having an audience of hikers below made for a perfect photo.
desert tortoises spotted on east end trail
Next to Frankenstone, these embracing Tortoises are my favorite! They were spotted on the East End trail a little way down from the intersection of the Tom’s Thumb Trail. They’re gigantic but my guess is most hikers don’t even notice them because the trail is very steep at that point so their heads are down watching their footing. Once you know where they are, though, you can’t help but stop and admire them!
This could be a perfect destination for a Valentine’s Day hike, don’t you think? 🙂
frankenstone and friends cards
Check out my fun new panoramic cards featuring my rock face series called “Frankenstone and Friends”. Profits go to the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy whose goal is education regarding the value of preserving our beautiful mountains and desert.
Card design number 2 (click image to see the rest)
early spring forecast?
Barring a freeze (it CAN still happen), we might just be in for a very good and very early wildflower season! Our weather has been unseasonable warm so along with the above normal amount of rain we’ve had, it might just happen. I’m already seeing flowering plants popping up including Desert Wishbone, Globe Mallow, Golden Eye, Brittlebush and LOTS of other species. So exciting!
Globe Mallow in my yard this morning (Sphaeralcea ambigua)
Globe Mallow’s botanical name includes “ambigua” which means it can be seen in lots of colors. Orange is the main color you’ll see in the Preserve, though. I bought this pink one at a local nursery where you can also find more colors. I planted mine as a seedling last fall and am very excited to see it growing!
