Yesterday I ventured down to the Sonoran Desert National Monument for
hiking and wildflower hunting. I had thought that the southern entrance was
restored to the public after seven years of closure, but I was mistaken. So, I
looked to see if the rumors of the western entrance being restored after being
obliterated years ago by the highway and states lands departments, and found it
to be true. So, in I went. Unfortunately, I was a few weeks late for the peak
of the wildflowers, but I drew upon my knowledge of the area and made my way to
a narrow wash that afforded a wide variety of soils and shading to see what
remained.
I opted to hike up an adjacent drainage to get some scenic views of the
area. After ascending to the saddle between the two, I took this panorama
looking southward:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/16823577567/
and after crossing over to my intended drainage took this panorama looking
westward:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/16844775559/
Shortly after descending into the wash, I took this typical view looking
upstream:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/17029538542/
I was not disappointed, and among the flowers remaining I found Rock
Hibiscus:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/17029691642/
Scorpionweed:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/17029723992/
and a very nice specimen of Counterclockwise Nipple Cactus, which I was most
hoping to find on this journey:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/16823649047/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/16843273918/
I later came across an unusual sight of a shrub with numerous large
insects on it:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/16843584020/
they were very colourful, and not the least bit camera-shy:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/16408697444/
I have no idea at all what they are, but perhaps one of our bugologists
can sort that out.
Chris
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro
- Hunter S. Thompson
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