Life is Rough, White Sands National Monument

* I have no idea what type of plant this was.  I was attracted by the artistic form and the color pallette (or lack thereof) against the gypsum sand.

Rio Grande Cottonwood, White Sands National Monument

Cottonwood buried in a dune of gypsum "sand".

There is no way to really tell how tall this cottonwood is, but, as long as it can keep some leaves/foliage above the sand dune the tree can survive.

Soap Tree Yucca, White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Bellingrath Gardens, Alabama, Make it Pink

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In April 2010, Man and I visited Bellingrath Gardens, near Mobile Alabama, with friends John and Donna.  On Reflections From the Fence I did a number of posts featuring some of the over 300 photos I took that day.  If you surf over to Reflections you can try a "search" for Bellingrath (see the top of the right hand column).  You will find at least 7 posts that have photos and stories from that fabulous day.  There is even a slide show of flowers.

Today, I borrow from the archives of that shutterbug extravaganza to bring you "Make it Pink":

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At Water's Edge, Pecos River, Carlsbad, New Mexico

Doves, Las Cruces, New Mexico

On an overhead line.

I have tenatively identified these doves as white winged doves, as found on this web page.  I found the identificiation process to be a tad difficult, not sure I have it right yet.

Merry Christmas From Reflections From New Mexico

San Albino Catholic Church, Mesilla, New Mexico.

Chili Hot Peppers

Mesilla, New Mexico.  (I did not ask, but, I believe these are real, they look real to my uneducated eye.)

There Has to be Flora Somewhere, Skidding Away From Gaudalupe

Taken as we headed away and downhill from Guadalupe Mountains National Park.  Photo was too stunning not to share.  We shall say that the sparse growth of grass along the roadside qualifies as "flora".  Of course, in the desert there is other flora and fauna, well camouflaged.

Note at very top right of photo is El Capitan.  Our RVing friends will also probably quickly pick up on those skid marks near the right hand side of the marked lane.  Man did not leave any, he was, mmmmm, running down that mountain a bit faster than my comfort zone.  Words shared in Big Butt's cab cannot be shared here on Flora and Fauna, lets just say they were spicy (oh, spices, that is flora too, right??  LOL).



* Yep, taken at over 60 MPH, not bad eh??

Deadwood at El Capitan

El Capitan, Guadalupe Mountains, Texas as viewed thru deadwood of the desert.

Brazilian Old Man, Living Desert State Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico

Alligator Juniper, Guadalupe Mountains, Texas

This is the Alligator Juniper, or Juniperus deppeana.  The signage told us that it is the largest of all Junipers, a slow grower, it can reach a diameter of 2 to 3 feet, height of 20 to 40 feet and can grow to an age of 500 to 800 years! Recognized by its deeply furrowed  bark with small square plates. Here is a close up of the trunk and bark.

All I Need is a Foothold, Err, Roothold

These 3 plants were growing in a wall of rock near Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico.  Mother Nature never fails to amaze and delight me.

Here is another view, yep, they are there, about the center of the photo.  Note they are growing about 6 to 7 foot off the ground, no water in sight. 

Succulants From Around the World, Living Desert State Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico

Golden Barrel Cactus, Living Desert State Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico

The Prairie Dogs, Living Desert State Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico

Too cute for just one photo.

The Cholla, Living Desert State Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico

As Man and I travel into new and uncharted (for us) territory, we are eager to learn about the new flora we are finding.  This is a form of Cholla.  A sign on another cholla plant in the park gave its technical name as opuntia imbricata or the furniture cholla.

If I have this right (still learning), this is NOT the flower, which is a vivid hot pink, as you can see here.  This is considered the fruit, which are dry and not tasty.  Here's hoping we can see the flowering version in the spring.

Bob Cat, Living Desert State Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico

* This is the second appearance of the Bob Cat here at Flora and Fauna, the first was from the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

Mexican Wolf, Living Desert State Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico

The Mexican Wolf, according to the signage is the smallest, rarest, and most genetically distinct subspecies of gray wolves.  According to the docent we chatted with, the Living Desert State Park has only males in their population.

There is an article about this gray wolf at Wikipedia, as always use care and verify the facts.  Interestingly enough when I googled Mexican Wolf I found this editorial/article that was posted only hours prior.  I do not know how long the link will be good, and I make no representation that the facts are as represented, just making it known.  US Fish and Wildlife site about the wolf is here.