Natural History Wanderings

On the way out to the trailheads we did a couple of stops. The best one was only 1.3 miles south of Stanlunds had Desert Lily, Name Desert Suncups, Ocotillo, Creosote, Popcorn, and Desert Dandelion in bloom.

First we hiked Yaqui Well Nature Trail which is two miles total out and back. The first half is a rocky dry and hilly with lots of cactus and octotillo. The second part of the trail is flat has more moisture and has large amounts of Creosote.

Flowers in bloom includes two species of poppies, Wild Heliotrope, Creosote, Chuparosa, a feathery mustard, Beavertail Cactus, Desert Lavender, Barrel Cactus, Fishhook Cactus, Rock Daisy, Whispering Bell, Desert Suncup, Popcorn, Brittlebush, Hedgehog Cactus, Desert Chicory, Fremont’s Pincushion, Caper Bush, an artemesia, Chia, Notch-leafed Scorpion Weed, and Trailing Windmills. Lots of Teddy-bear Cactus not in flower.

Birds included many White-crowned Sparrows, Black-chinned Sparrow, House Finch, at least four Phainopepla, Costa’s Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird and California Quail.

Butterflies included Painted Lady, Tiny Checkerspot, Orange Sulphur, an unidentified White and unidentified Blue.

Next we did the Cactus Loop Trail. It is a rocky 1 mile loop featuring cactus of course. Flowers in bloom included Desert Lavender, Poppy, Chuparosa, Trailing Windmills, Brittlebush, Rock Daisy, Wild Heliotrope, Whispering Bells, Beavertail Cactus (a number of these had many bright pink flowers), Ocotillo, Fishhook Cactus, Bigelow’s Monkeyflower, Barrel Cactus, Desert Star, Cholla Cactus. The only birds were Raven and a female hummingbird that was either an Anna’s or Costa.