in the blossoming cacti, and they sure are busy.
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.
Like an array of miniature sundials...
casting long shadows late in the day, the ground-digging and turret-building bees are back at work in Castle Valley. I’ll follow up with some proper photography of the bees when they’re in action the next few days.
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.
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.
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.
During an early evening ride...
I enjoyed this lovely view on the long descent back into the lower valley.
A courting pair...
of Black-chinned Hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri).
A preening Mourning Dove...
all fluffed up and no place to go.
The now-blossoming globemallow...
in Castle Valley is attracting the tiny pollinating bees and I’m on the lookout for their ground-dwelling hives.
The high desert super bloom continues...
in Castle Valley, Utah. Truly a spectacular spectacle of nature.
The striking claret cup cactus...
takes its turn with the pollinators - in this case, hummingbirds - blossoming with vibrant scarlet flowers. Hands down my favorite of the spring bloom.
Dramatic cloudscape above Round Mountain...
this afternoon.
A beautiful song...
but a bit of a bully at the feeder.
The high desert is exploding with blossoms...
of a variety of wildflowers and shrubs following the very wet spring. It’s quite glorious.
Volume 1 of original cowboy poetry...
by Rory Tyler is nearly finished in production, where we recorded his last poem this morning in Castleton, Utah. The collection of Rory’s stories will be posted on YouTube and I’ll provide a link when they are available. Good stuff.
The state flower of Utah...
is the lovely sego lily, now dominating the blooming wildflowers around Round Mountain.
The calm before the storm...
where a rapidly moving cell dropped 0.35" of rain and slammed Castle Valley with 1/4"+ diameter hail in one hour’s time.
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.
Main Fork of Mill Creek Canyon...
contains a wonderful petroglyph panel, hidden right at the edge of Moab.