Mike and I hiked 8.5 miles starting from the Wagner Trailhead. The desert is drying out, but there is still an abundance of flowers.
We started early – just before sunrise. I got this shot from the Wagner Trail prior to the start of the hike.
Buckwheat:
Senna:
Sunrise on the Tortoise Trail:
I think this is Goldeneye:
At around the time that I photographed this bunny, I learned that the soles of my new shoes (Xero Prio) were not impervious to thorns.
This might be Sweetbush:
Saguaros in Stoneman Wash:
Lupine:
Palo Verde:
We saw this very green plant in Stoneman Wash – Mike told me what he thought it was, but I’ve now forgotten:
Wolfberry (or maybe Hackberry) mixed in with some other plants:
Lupine and Poppies:
We saw this plant on the Granite Trail, right next to the lupine and poppies. We didn’t know what it was at the time, but Mike has since identified it as a Fiddleneck.
Desert Pincushion:
This is the wash below the Bluff Trail:
Chuparosa:
Hedgehog cactus:
Hedgehog blossom surrounded by other plants:
Banana Yucca:
Mike says:
Kevin, I think the unknown yellow flowering plant is: Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia – Common Fiddleneck.
Special Characteristics:
Poisonous – The seeds contain the toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids intermedine and lycopsamine.
Stinging or Itching – The plants are covered in sharp, brittle hairs that can irritate human skin (especially when the plants are dry), so do not walk through a patch of dried Common Fiddleneck if you have bare legs.
Found it on the following website: http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/
Mike
April 8, 2017 — 1:35 pm
Kevin says:
Thanks for the flower ID, Mike.
April 8, 2017 — 2:11 pm
jon leverenz says:
Sorry to have missed it. Prize winner of the sunrise!!!
April 8, 2017 — 2:01 pm
Anonymous says:
So much beauty in the desert, love your pictures Kevin. Marilyn and Ben
April 9, 2017 — 7:31 am
Linda says:
Beautiful sunrise shot! Also enjoy all the shots of the blooms that are still out there!
April 11, 2017 — 4:27 pm