I violated my usual rule about visiting the Tonto National Forest today. That rule is "never go out on weekends". It seems that most of Phoenix had the same idea. I have never seen so many campers and visitors. Given curent conditions, I can't blame them. Movies? Out. Desert Botanical Garden? Closed. Church? Uh-uh. It was a beautiful spring day so why not?
I was curious as to whether the mariposa lilies along the road to Humboldt Peak were open. They were not. But I was not disappointed. I saw an amazing cluster of Oenothera cespitosa across a steep wash and stumbled my way over to it. Deep grass and uncertain rocky footing complicated matters. It was worth the trip.
While stumbling to my goal I could not ignore the rattling of gunfire coming from one of the several unofficial firing ranges north of the Camp Creek area. Someone burned through about $1000 worth of ammunition with an automatic weapon or more likely a semiautomatic fixed with a bumpstock. Wonder what the hell they were shooting.
But crowds, gunfire and all it was a wonderful break from field work and this perch in front of my iMac.
Host Quercus turbinella; point of attachment could be stem or petiole
Host Quercus turbinella
Host Opuntia engelmannii
Σχόλια
Thanks for the awesomeness virtual walk! Yes... all areas are ridiculously crowded. Be safe.
Sounds like a nice day! Nice that there are so many plants in bloom (or close to it). Could use some of that warm weather where I am. I went out for a walk today in my neighborhood and saw not a lot more than a lot of snow and the neighborhood birds. Waiting for it to warm up this week so I can go looking for signs of spring in my backyard.
I miss those mariposa lilies :(
Προσθήκη σχόλιου