February 2014: Some highlights of the flora and fauna seen on the road trip back from AZ to WA.
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Desert Five-Spot (Eremalche rotundifolium) Another in the mallow family.
Not exactly sure but pretty sure it's Boraginaceae and maybe in the Cryptantha genus.
A desert datura
Some kind of lupine, maybe Arizona lupine?
Not sure...maybe Desert pincushion? (Chaenactis stevioides)0
Sand verbena (Abronia villosa I think)
I didn't see any desert lilies at the Desert Lily Sanctuary, but I think maybe this is a dried up lily plant from the previous year.
Not sure - might be Desert pincushion again, but older. Says they can be pale pink.
Maybe Coville's Pygmy Poppy (Eschscholzia minutiflora ssp. covillei)
Another view of the possible poppy.
Maybe Desert Chicory? (Rafinesquia neomexicana)
I think Desert Dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata)
Some little desert daisy
More bees on almond blossoms
More almond blossoms
Western meadowlark
I think Turkey Vulture.
More vulture
Ring-necked pheasant. I am trying to resist excessive superlative hyperbole but later I accidentally startled one into flight and the amber of the angled setting sun on its russet feathers was among the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
Northern Shoveler
I think maybe Greater White-Fronted Goose, another shoveler and maybe a shoveler duckling.
Starling
I don't know my hawks but I think Red-Tailed. This guy was so close but my camera couldn't focus through the dusty windshield.
A mammal!
Two hawks. I think Red-Tailed.
One hawk. Not sure what kind.
Another ring-necked pheasant. Shy ones, hard to get a good shot of.