Ooh a dark center in a sun drop primrose—maybe that other less common species??Nope it’s a flower beetle nestled deeply in the lemon yellow primrose flower!The trail sides are covered with rabbits tobacco!Another requested rest break by Briar dog. Up the hill, Gaillardia suavis and Echinacea angustifolia (I assume) are blooming, starting to bloom, and finishing at various places!We met a three-toed box turtle going on the path too. Briar has not met many turtles. We saw a three toed box turtle! It was very intriguing but concerning to briar. She was cautious but also wagged. Three views of the only wild Solomon’s seal patch I have seen. We saw them at this site last year. Groundplum milkvetch (Astragalus crassicarpus) is has gone to seed. Some look a bit squished from the trail being mowed.
Oxalis violaceaCarrot leaf Lomatium now doneHot dog alreadyBaptisia bracteataBriar on a hillPrairie parsley bloomingSalvia azurea leavesEchinacea leavesMystery leavesOxalis violacea lives in sunnier spots than I expected!Arnoglossum species budsArnoglossum farther alongI think butterfly milkweedCalylophus primrosePenstemon cobea budsBriar enjoyed a big mud puddle then ran right towards us dripping wet.
We walked Briar at Ruby Grant park today and saw what baby gumweeds (Grindelia) look like. This confirms that we do have some growing at home. These park ones were not sticky, which is why we were dubious about the home ones.
Two male and one female Wild Turkeys walked down the camp road! This is one of the males. We determined they are the paler southwestern form after looking in the Sibley bird guide.
Briar judges Mom. The only Escobaria we’ve seen so far!This rock has really neat concentric layered circles!Briar practices standing on new surfaces. She’s getting better about benches. A lovely Echinocereus! Grama grass in the background, and a nice pile of small sandstones nearby. The fence in the background is the edge of the state park. Another fine Echinocereus with grama grass. Cholla cactus and juniper in the background. This rock has a sharply defined layer. A soil crust lichen on sand!Maybe some sort of Liatris plant stalk?Big sandstone jutting up in the trail. Yucca, lichen on sandstone, and sideoats grama grass. Closeup of pointy yucca tips. Waiting for botany time Mom. Briar was concerned. A prairie lizard!!! Same genus as the spiny lizard at home. Clove currant thinking about blooming. Trail marker at top of hill. Nice sandstone layers here. Mom caught up with us. Briar was happy. Now that all humans in one place, Briar can rest in the bench shade.