Fire and water

Another visit to the Mountain fire area and then to a wash downstream of the fire. The wash is fed in part by the burned watershed. Nothing much new to report from the burned area, beyond the sprouting of Marah gilensis vines. A literal ground-breaking event - there were cracks in the soil where one of them was sprouting. Other than that and a small cluster of mushrooms near it, the area looked much as it did last visit.

The wash downstream was a different story. This is the wash where I found four Abutilon parishii plants. There are three now, because a flood last November took out the larger plant.

In previous trips to the wash from above, I was able to travel only so far before the vegetation became impenetrable. Approaching from below (as I did last June) I also could walk only so far before the wash was again impenetrable.

It is impenetrable no more. The flood that took out the abutilon also cleared a path through the third of a mile or so that had remained unexplored. It's not easy to get through - much climbing over or crawling under fallen trees - but it's possible. For now.

Another contrast: at the burn area site, I saw exactly one animal besides myself: a honeybee working filaree flowers. I heard no birds; not one. I stopped every now and then to glass the area. Nothing. At the lower wash site, there must have been a hundred birds in the first quarter-mile of the hike. Cardinals, canyon and Abert's towhees, a sparrow I didn't know (though I have some sketchy photos [ETA - immature white-crowned sparrow]), phainopeplas, cactus wrens, gnatcatchers and some calls I didn't recognize. Further up the wash where the walls are steep, canyon wrens. Not calling, but bitching about my presence. Can't blame 'em.

Posted on January 29, 2020 01:59 AM by stevejones stevejones

Observations

Photos / Sounds

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:46 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Southwestern Mock Vervain (Glandularia gooddingii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:48 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Chia (Salvia columbariae)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:49 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Saharan Mustard (Brassica tournefortii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:49 AM MST

Description

Removed

Photos / Sounds

What

Mexican Poppy (Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:50 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:53 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Bajada Lupine (Lupinus concinnus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:53 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Sonoran Scrub Oak (Quercus turbinella)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:54 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Stinknet (Oncosiphon pilulifer)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:56 AM MST

Description

Removed

Photos / Sounds

What

Gila Manroot (Marah gilensis)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:57 AM MST

Description

Ground cracking where the shoots are rising

Photos / Sounds

What

Redstem Stork's-Bill (Erodium cicutarium)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 09:58 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Bearded Cryptantha (Cryptantha barbigera)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:02 AM MST

Description

Four nutlets, plant bristly with spreading hairs

Photos / Sounds

What

London Rocket (Sisymbrium irio)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:06 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Hollyleaf Redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:06 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Red Barberry (Berberis haematocarpa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:07 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Gila Manroot (Marah gilensis)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:08 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Brittlestems and Allies (Family Psathyrellaceae)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:08 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Crucifixion Thorn (Canotia holacantha)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:10 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Wright's Buckwheat (Eriogonum wrightii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:11 AM MST

Description

Flower photos out of focus

Photos / Sounds

What

Slimleaf Bursage (Ambrosia confertiflora)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:13 AM MST

Description

Seed prickles recurved

Photos / Sounds

What

Odora (Porophyllum gracile)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:16 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Suncups (Genus Camissoniopsis)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:18 AM MST

Description

Likely C. micrantha

Photos / Sounds

What

New Mexico Thistle (Cirsium neomexicanum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:22 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Chaparral Beardtongue (Keckiella antirrhinoides)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:26 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Hoary Bowlesia (Bowlesia incana)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:29 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Sacahuista (Nolina microcarpa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:33 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:35 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Brownfoot (Acourtia wrightii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:37 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Fiddlenecks (Genus Amsinckia)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 10:39 AM MST

Description

Characteristic leaf hairs

Photos / Sounds

What

Spiny Hackberry (Celtis pallida)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:02 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:04 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:07 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Canaigre Dock (Rumex hymenosepalus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:17 AM MST

Description

Growing in flood debris a couple of feet above ground. Presumably ihe tuber is flood debris as well.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:21 AM MST

Description

Large community here; remnant fruit

Photos / Sounds

What

Big Bursage (Ambrosia ambrosioides)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:23 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:26 AM MST

Description

Tree fallen by bank erosion. Must be a few straggling roots left as the flood was in November. Tree is still living, but not likely for long.

Photos / Sounds

What

Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:27 AM MST

Description

Tree fallen by bank erosion. Still partially rooted as the flood was in November and the tree is still living, but not likely for long.

Photos / Sounds

What

Mesquite Mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:28 AM MST

Description

Flowers not quite open

Photos / Sounds

What

Elders (Genus Sambucus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:30 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Engelmann's Pricklypear (Opuntia engelmannii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:32 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Akeake (Dodonaea viscosa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:33 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:35 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Spotted Hideseed (Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:37 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:41 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:43 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Little-leaved Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:46 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Bigelow's Crossosoma (Crossosoma bigelovii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:49 AM MST
Mammals

Photos / Sounds

What

Mammals (Class Mammalia)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:54 AM MST

Description

Puma? In a non-covered dig. Fox marked it as well. Found two non-covered scats in the wash, but saw no tracks. Many deer tracks, though.

Photos / Sounds

What

Gila County Liveforever (Dudleya saxosa ssp. collomiae)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 2020

Photos / Sounds

What

Shrubby Deervetch (Acmispon rigidus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:57 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Arizona Spikemoss (Selaginella arizonica)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:57 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Saharan Mustard (Brassica tournefortii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 11:58 AM MST

Description

20-99 plants; removed

Photos / Sounds

What

Desert Paintbrush (Castilleja chromosa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:16 PM MST

Description

Leaves mostly lanceolate and unlobed, and flowering out of season, but this is the best match.

Photos / Sounds

What

Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:18 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Complex Thalloid Liverworts (Class Marchantiopsida)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:20 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Pancake Pricklypear (Opuntia chlorotica)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:23 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:25 PM MST

Description

Host Populus fremontii

Photos / Sounds

What

Crimson Monkeyflower (Erythranthe verbenacea)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:29 PM MST

Description

Corolla not long-exserted; anthers reflexed; corolla throat hairs short, thick, translucent

Photos / Sounds

What

Desert Broom (Baccharis sarothroides)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:33 PM MST

Description

Male

Photos / Sounds

What

Larkspurs (Genus Delphinium)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:33 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:33 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Bedstraws (Genus Galium)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:33 PM MST

Description

Most likely Galium microphyllum

Photos / Sounds

What

Coville's Lip Fern (Myriopteris covillei)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:34 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Velvety Goldenrod (Solidago velutina)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:39 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:43 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Juniper Urn Gall Midge (Walshomyia juniperina)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:45 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:46 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

One-seed Juniper (Juniperus monosperma)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:45 PM MST

Description

White exudate less than 25% on leaves

Photos / Sounds

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:50 PM MST

Description

Odd accumulation of these galls as flotsam from the fire upstream and the flood which carried them here.

Photos / Sounds

What

Gourd Family (Family Cucurbitaceae)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:51 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Giant Reed (Arundo donax)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 12:52 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Mule Fat (Baccharis salicifolia)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:05 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Water Striders (Family Gerridae)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:12 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Graham's Fishhook Cactus (Mammillaria grahamii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:20 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Sow-Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:21 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Fragrant Evening Primrose (Oenothera cespitosa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:22 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Larkspurs (Genus Delphinium)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:23 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

California Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:24 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Pancake Pricklypear (Opuntia chlorotica)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:30 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:30 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:33 PM MST

Description

Petals more than rudimentary

Photos / Sounds

What

Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:35 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:42 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Spiny Hackberry (Celtis pallida)

Observer

stevejones

Date

January 28, 2020 01:44 PM MST

Comments

Thanks so much for your reports, Steve! Even though I knew some of the species, I look up every one so it's always very educational for me :-)

Posted by ezpixels about 4 years ago

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