Iridescent flashes of color on hummingbirds...

are structurally controlled by layers of tiny air bubbles on the feather’s surface, refracting and reflecting various wavelengths of light. The brightness and intensity of the iridescence is also dependent on the viewer’s angle relative to the Sun, and is demonstrated by the Black-chinned Hummingbird shown below.

Several patches of invasive thistle...

were the target of my energies this morning. You’re welcome, Castle Valley.

Know before you dig! There are several native thistles in southeastern Utah that are utilized by mule deer and other range animals, one of which is shown below.

Cainville thistle (Cirsium calcareum).

The Colorado River discharge...

at the Cisco, Utah gaging station peaked on 19 May 2023 at about 41,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) despite the near record snowpack in the high country of Colorado this water year. It is interesting to note that last year’s peak flow of about 16,000 cfs occurred at about the same time (see hydrograph below) which strongly indicates that upstream diversions are robbing water from the main stem.

Covered with pollen particles...

a bee emerges from a prickly pear cactus blossom in the rock garden. On to the next flower, a pollinator’s work is never done.

Prickly pear cactus (genus Opuntia).

NOTE: This image was shot with a handheld 400 mm telephoto lens from a standing position. Nearly as good as a tripod-mounted macro lens close to the subject.

The now-blossoming globemallow...

in Castle Valley is attracting the tiny pollinating bees and I’m on the lookout for their ground-dwelling hives.

Globe mallow bee (Diadasia diminuta) on the common globemallow flower (Sphaeralcea coccinea).

UPDATE: Here’s a shot taken this evening as a bee settles in for a slumber as the blossom closes for the night.

The high desert is exploding with blossoms...

of a variety of wildflowers and shrubs following the very wet spring. It’s quite glorious.

Harriman’s yucca, also known as narrow-leaf yucca (Yucca harrimaniae).

Whipple’s fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus whipplei).

Yellow cryptanth (Cryptantha flava).

Cliffrose (Purshia mexicana), incredibly aromatic and sweet-smelling.

Anderson’s larkspur (Delphinium andersonii). Toxic!

The San Rafael Swell...

holds some of the best kept secret places in central Utah. Here are some images that were captured during a several day trip with friends this week.

Portion of the extraordinary Buckhorn Wash pictograph panel.

Stormy sunset view of the Little Grand Canyon of the San Rafael River from The Wedge Overlook.

The stunning petroglyphs of the Rochester Panel in the western part of the Swell.

The historic San Rafael “swinging bridge,” built during 1935-1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Temple Mountain, an important site for uranium mining during the last century.

Little Wild Horse Canyon.

Main Fork of Mill Creek Canyon...

contains a wonderful petroglyph panel, hidden right at the edge of Moab.

Rory and Ellen examining the so-called “Connection Panel” where all key icons are connected by a continuous thread.

Increased contrast in order to see detail on the panel.

The view south across Mill Creek, towards the La Sal Mountains, from the panel’s location.