Nature Conservancy – Dithyramb

Untitled.

Chihuahua pine (Pinus leiophylla). At Ramsey Canyon Preserve, Cochise County, Arizona.

Golden currant (Ribes aureum) at Ramsey Canyon Preserve, Cochise County, Arizona.

Manticore.

Untitled.

Also Arizona.

Palmer’s agave (Agave palmeri). Ramsey Canyon Preserve, Cochise County, Arizona.

Plum blossoms at Ramsey Canyon Preserve. The plums in the canyon are naturalized descendants of trees planted by settlers who built a small mining camp here.

A hummingbird rescuer releasing a fledgling Anna’s hummingbird at Ramsey Canyon Preserve.

The newbie hummer had been dislocated from its nest before it was able to fly, and required dropper feeding. The bird’s

gape flange (at the base of its bill) is still showing the red coloration that stimulates parental feeding behavior. If the fledgling survives the bill will continue to lengthen and darken. The baby is already a strong flier, so it’s chances are good.