Uncategorized – Page 113

Parry’s beard.

Charles Christopher Parry (1823 – 1890). This image is adapted from an engraving in the public domain.

Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) visiting Parry’s beardtongue (Penstemon parryi). At the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona.

Tomate.

Cactus tone poem.

Texas mountain laurel

(Sophora secundiflora), at the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona.

These flowers are mostly faded and going to seed here in the valley. At their peak they smell unmistakably like Nehi grape soda.

Also: A member of the Fabacaea. Emphatically: Not a laurel.

Tufted evening primrose (Oenothera casepitosa), at Hassayampa River Preserve, Wickenburg, Arizona.

Etymology note: the specific epithet caespitosa is derived from the Latin word caespes, meaning turf, and by extension is used to describe plants that grow in clumps or tufts.

Bonus Garden Party shot: A male Anna’s hummingbird at the feeder.

Untitled.

Harvest.

Garden Party: These hummingbirds are all recent visitors to my backyard feeder in Glendale, Arizona. The birds with bright iridescent gorgets (chin feathers) are males.

From top:

Photos 1 – 3: Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna).

Photos 4 – 6: Black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).

Photos 7 – 8: Costa’s hummingbird (Calypte costae). The Costa’s is the latest to join our little community, and I haven’t see a female at my feeder yet.

Please click any photo in the set for enlarged views.