Natural History Wanderings

We went to Henderson Canyon Rd. around 8 AM. After two days of rain it was bright and sunny today  (photographic light would have been better earlier). Reports continue that this is best wildflower location and I agree. Spent a lot of time photographing large displays of Desert Sunflower. Also abundant were Dune Evening Primrose, which were still open (they close much of the day and open in the evening), and Sand Verbena. Also in bloom were Brown-eyed Evening Primrose, Creosote, California Suncup, Desert Pincushion, Laxflower and Popcorn. Significantly more people than yesterday but much less during some of the peak wildflower years in the past.

Next we drove to West end of the pavement at the end of Henderson Canyon Rd. and took the the short dirt road, which was rough at times though not a problem for our Forester. We made several stops along the road and at the end of the road continued on foot up the trail for about a mile and half. The habitat was drier and rockier and had a good diversity of plants. 

Especially impressive were the blooming Beavertail Cactus on the side of the road and some of Chuparosa along the trail. There were plenty of Fremont’s Pincushion, Brittlebush, Desert Lavender, Creosote and Desert Dandelion. Other plants in bloom were Desert Chicory, Wild Heliotrope, California Suncup, Ocotillo, Brown-eyed Primrose, a sprawling suncup, Arizona Lupine, Popcorn, Bigelow’s Monkeyflower, Barrel Cactus, 2 species of Poppy, Chia, Artemisia, Popcorn, Indigo Bush, Rock Daisy, a mustard, Fiddleneck, Desert Globemallow, Canterbury Bells, Trixis, and Desert Tobacco. 

There were several butterflies flying. I was able to identify Tiny Checkerspot, Painted Lady and Becker’s White. Birds included Ravens, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Anna’s and Costa’s Hummingbirds, and several others I failed to identify. Only had a few Sphinx moth sightings today.