This would be a "yesterday's walk report”. Yesterday being, April, 4th. Here are some pictures taken along the way...
Solandra maxima is a flowering plant in the family Solanaceae. It is also known as cup of gold vine, golden chalice vine and Copa de Oro. I have taken pictures of this plant before (of course I have) but I believe this is best image I've taken showing the contrasting colors. All parts of the Solandra maxima plant are extremely toxic. The principal toxins in the Solandra species are the tropane alkaloids scopolamine and hyoscyamine (atropine). So, despite common names, it's not a good idea to take a drink from it.
A common raven, nothing special about the image. However, I found its behavior circling a small perimeter of sky unusual. It was circling much in the manner of a turkey vulture. The only reference I could find of ravens circling in such fashion was from European folklore, stating that, ravens circling battlefields became omens of death but also protectors of sacred thresholds. Another historical bad rap for Ravens.
There is a line of pomegranate trees about 120 yards long only separated by a 40' road. 1,000s of pomegranate flowers right now.
Wind in the Trees.
It's was pretty breezy for a couple of days. That and what I see as an inherent problem with palo verde trees, they flower heavily and the branches can't support the added weight. I was considering adding a couple of palo verde trees (those and jacaranda) to the then treeless front of my property back in 2012. I had decided that I could live with the fallen flowers but after observing these trees in the local botanical garden snapping off huge portions of tree I'd say annually, I changed my mind. This panorama from March 22nd is of the same tree seen below.
But wait! There's more on the other side!
It wasn't the first time I've seen huge breaks in that tree either.
I didn't get great shots of any monarchs yesterday but I wanted to point out that I saw a lot of them. at least compared to what I find being normal. There's also been a substantial amount of native milkweed added on the campus.
No ID on this bottlebrush.
It got quite warm during the walk and I only managed 1.87 miles. I'm not too inclined to push myself once the temperature approaches 80º these days. The high for Saturday was 89.4º.
Wind in the Trees
