Buprestidae

August 19, 2008 Marianne Skov Jensen

I had narrowed down the genus of this bug to Trichodes but I was just informed by Mike Thomas at BugGuide.net that this is a Buprestidae aka Jewel Beetle. Thanks for the ID, Mike. (Next time I’ll wait for an ID before I post!)

There were so many of these bugs on this Cordia that the flowers didn’t stand a chance. Maybe when I get over the fascination, I’ll think about discouraging the plant eating bugs in my yard 🙂

(canon 24-70 at 70mm w/500D diopter. Color in background is decomposed granite.)

Cochineal at work

August 18, 2008 Marianne Skov Jensen

While looking for a photo this morning, I found what I knew to be a Cochineal infestation on a Prickly Pear cactus. The history of Cochineal bugs is very interesting if you’ve never heard it. They are a source of red dye considered so highly prized at one time that it was listed on the London and Amsterdam Commodities Exchanges. Click here to read all about it.

We rarely see Cochineal on native cactus. This Prickly Pear was purchased at a nursery.

technical

August 17, 2008 Marianne Skov Jensen

We rode from our house to Amphitheater rocks this morning (about 18mi round trip). This last section is much too technical for me and I feel no shame in admitting it 🙂

The weather this summer has been cooler than normal and this morning was especially nice.

lightning

August 16, 2008 Marianne Skov Jensen

We had a spectacular lightning storm last night but I didn’t grab my camera until it was almost over. Darn. This shot is from an upstairs window. I braced the camera against the frame of an open window while holding down the shutter. (recently lost my cable release)

(ISO 400, f/8, 21 sec)

the morning after

August 15, 2008 Marianne Skov Jensen

We had a powerful storm move through last night. I didn’t get any lightening shots but did capture the morning after. Now to go out and repair the landscape.

crucifixion thorn bloom

August 14, 2008 Marianne Skov Jensen

This morning’s hike yielded another first for my flora archives…..Crucifixion Thorn blooms. The tiny native bee was a bonus. Also shown is the mature seed pod.

(The blooms are only about 1/4 inch wide).

guarding the preserve

August 13, 2008 Marianne Skov Jensen

Cholla skeletons can be very interesting. I particularly love this chainfruit cholla skeleton because I think it looks like a Shaman and I think of him as standing guard over the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Last night we joined him in a little sunset celebration.

bee there

August 12, 2008 Marianne Skov Jensen

I could hear the bees buzzing “Pssst….Sunset at the Chainfruit Cholla….bee there!” so I drove out to Rock Knob again last night 🙂

(By the way, note the difference in coloring from yesterday’s image. Yesterday’s was shot in the shade which would make it bluer but not that blue! I did a terrible job of color correcting).

chainfruit cholla bloom

August 11, 2008 Marianne Skov Jensen

Another first for my archives…a Chainfruit Cholla bloom. It wouldn’t have taken so long to get this photo if I had checked to see when they bloom! Unlike other cactus, you’re more likely to see Chainfruit blooms during the summer and that is not a time I’m normally out hiking. It’s on my calendar now, though, so I’ll be ready for next year 🙂

wait a minute bush

August 10, 2008 Marianne Skov Jensen

You’re hiking along and barely brush the edge of this shrub and it gets you! Because of this, the Cat Claw Acacia (Acacia greggii) is also known as the “wait a minute bush”. The claws are hard to spot because they are only 1/8th to 1/4rd of and inch and they hide on the underside of the branches.

This morning I noticed some new growth and saw that the claws are red.

marianne skov jensen