Jun 23
There were lots of Thicket Hairstreak as well as many other tiny butterflies on the wonderful Viet Springs trail last week. Rarely sitting still for long, they’re a challenge to photograph. I applied art filters to disguise the very busy background.
Thanks to Tom H. for the ID.
Jun 21
(I’m still sharing images from Aspen Nature Loop). Here’s a common Dandelion in its seed stage. My plan was to capture a few of the seeds flying away but it was SO windy, I was lucky to get this shot. I’ll be back in Flag a couple more times over the summer so I’ll get another chance. (Diffuse glow added around edges. Background is back-lit Aspen leaves.)
Jun 20
These beauties are so skilled at camouflage, you’re not likely to see them unless they move. In fact, I didn’t see this guy until a photographer friend pointed him out. My friend was setting up to shoot an Iris on the Aspen Nature Loop when he saw a slight movement out of the corner of his eye. Thank you Fred, for sharing your find!
CLICK HERE to see where he was when first spotted.
Greater Short-horned Lizard (possibly since location and elevation match)
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 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 🙂
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