I’m still here. The weather is pleasant, it is quiet, for the most part, and I’m still finding new things to photograph. I said it is quiet for the most part, but last week, there was an accident on I-10 east of Wilcox. A truck hit an overpass bridge and damaged it so badly that the westbound lane was closed. The traffic was all routed down state Highway 80, which goes right past me. I’m about 1/4 mile from the highway but it was still pretty noisy with all the trucks rumbling by. That lasted for two days. Most of the time there is very little traffic on Highway 80.
An Acmon Blue, living dangerously. Can you spot the crab spider?A new species of cactus for me, Beehive Cactus, Escobaria vivipara. One could almost pass this flower off as a bladderpod, which were extremely abundant earlier this spring. But it is later now, and I took a closer look. This is Golden Linanthus, Leptosiphon chrysanthus. I cannot find much information about it besides the name. It is in the Phlox family. This strange plant is Jatropha macrorhiza, Ragged Nettle-Spurge. It is reportedly rare in the United States. It occurs in southwest New Mexico and southeast Arizona but is more common in Mexico. I came across a pair of Black-throated Sparrows feeding this young bird that is fresh out of the nest. A Lesser Nighthawk roosting. This is the first time I’ve been able to get a shot like this, in fact the first time I’ve seen a Lesser Nighthawk roosting! Mammallaria heyderi, Pancake Pincushion. First one I’ve ever seen. During wet periods, the cactus will pull in enough water to swell up to the size of a basketball. Mexican Cactus Fly. The larvae feed on dying cactus. This one is nectaring on Brittlebush. Red Four o’Clock, Mirabilis coccinea.
4 replies on “More Granite Gap Photos”
You are seeing lots of neat stuff there! The Pancake Pincushion cactus is interesting, it’s fascinating how cacti store water for the driest times.
Great photos as usual Doug. I was especially captivated by the Jatropha, I had not even heard of it. It doesn’t look it, but this plant is clearly related to the several Jatropha species we find in SW AZ. Those leaves are wild.
Paul, first time I’ve seen it too. It is in the same genus as the limberbush that we commonly see around Ajo, but it sure doesn’t look like it. I’ve seen around 20 of them now, here at Granite Gap.
Love that Pancake Cactus! The Jatropa is very intriguing. I ran into those Rainbow Cactus near Portal. I would love to see them in bloom!
4 replies on “More Granite Gap Photos”
You are seeing lots of neat stuff there! The Pancake Pincushion cactus is interesting, it’s fascinating how cacti store water for the driest times.
Great photos as usual Doug. I was especially captivated by the Jatropha, I had not even heard of it. It doesn’t look it, but this plant is clearly related to the several Jatropha species we find in SW AZ. Those leaves are wild.
Paul, first time I’ve seen it too. It is in the same genus as the limberbush that we commonly see around Ajo, but it sure doesn’t look like it. I’ve seen around 20 of them now, here at Granite Gap.
Love that Pancake Cactus! The Jatropa is very intriguing. I ran into those Rainbow Cactus near Portal. I would love to see them in bloom!