Isn’t it wonderful to live in a region where clouds and humidity and rain are so celebrated? You can tell the folks who originally came from elsewhere, but have been converted to borderlands residents when they say things like; “Did you see those clouds yesterday?” “I think the monsoon is on the way!” “I can’t wait to see my first turtle of the season”…things like that. Come to think of it, I’m one of those folks, especially when it comes to seeing the first box turtle of the season. (see photo of Terrapene ornata)
But hey, isn’t it cool when rain cleans the slate and you can find new tracks to identify and follow. It doesn’t take much to get my dogs interested in following tracks either. They’re so lucky with their amazing noses. They’re not looking at tracks, but following the scent. I think a good app for a smart phone would one that told you what your dog was smelling. Sign me up for that one. Hmm, some I think we can figure out…
There are around twelve species of Monarda found in North America and Mexico. Four species are found in Arizona…I suspect one of those is introduced…anyway, the one I brushed against in the creek bed is Monarda citriodora ssp. austromontana.
The photos are mine. That’s our first turtle of the season, shiny from the rainfall and then the bee balm in the creek bed. No flowers yet on the bee balm, but click on the link below for photos of flowers and then the link below that is to another show I did about Monarda. Yay! More than you ever wanted to know.
Inca doves are found all along the borderlands and southward into Mexico. The common name should probably be Aztec dove, as the Incas were...
A hike in the nearby sky islands has Petey excitedly stumbling over plant names while giggling and jabbering away. Better listen.
I sure talk about a lot different flora and fauna. From three species of quail, to canyon wrens, to Yarrows spiny lizards, to bristlehead...
