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The trail off Gaddis Road is not marked except by some large boulders on the north side of the road. It starts across the street and NE from 12 Gaddis Rd. This trail follows an arroyo through forest and meadowlands up to a saddle in the Monte Largo Mountains where trails go off into different directions. |
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Bernalillo County has established a small area north of Sandia Knolls neighborhood as Open Space. In addition, land owners in adjoining areas NE of the Open Space have allowed access and trails to this natural area for hikers, horseback riders and bicyclists. No motor-driven traffic is allowed. |
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This trail features rocky outcroppings with
Hedgehog Cacti and Banana Yucca |
The spring weather has been delightfully warm. Our last freeze was about 2 weeks ago. I saw a lot of wildflowers that were blooming, some are 3-4 weeks earlier than normal.
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Wafer Parsnip Cymopterius constancei
(see page 11 of Jercinovic's Wildflowers of the Manzanos) |
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This early spring flower of the Parsley family had already bloomed and gone to seed. |
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I returned May 1st and found Chimajá Cymopterus acaulis var. fendleri
(see page 10 of Jercinovic's Wildflowers of the Manzanos) |
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Chimajá has a long taproot with petiole leaves borne on a false stem. The flowers are yellow umbrells, |
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I think this is Wafer Parsnip Cymopterius constancei about to bloom |
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A Milkvetch Astragalus var., not sure of the species |
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This cut in the arroyo shows the thick root system of Blue Grama grass, the extremely xeric native grass that survives on as little as 6 inches of rain a year. Blue Grama is New Mexico's State Grass. I use Blue Grama grass and Buffalo Grass for my yard. It goes brown when dormant in winter, but it is now nice and green. |
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Baby Asters |
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Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus Echincereus coccineus, one of many along this trail, are found profusely growing on the east-facing slopes |
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Gambel Oak Quercus gambelii is a common tree in these hills.
This scrub oak is just beginning to green up. |
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Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus Echincereus coccineus |
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Perky Sue is one of the earliest Asters in the spring |
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Stickseed Lappula redowskii with tiny white flowers is blooming everywhere |
Landowners have done a lot of clearing of dead trees that were killed off during the last
Bark Beetle infestation in 2002-2004. Today, there are nice meadows with grasses and wildflowers returning.
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Hedgehog cactus and Santa Fe Phlox |
My home is at 6900 ft. elevation. Here are some pictures of the Monte Largo mountains looking northeast from my home.
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Monte Largo in summer |
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Monte Largo in winter |
always enjoy your flower posts
ReplyDeleteGreat rainbow and wonderful set of native wildflowers. Now that my son and family have moved to Arizona I'm looking forward to my first ever up close and personal views of the desert in bloom.... :)
ReplyDelete