Dry prickly thistle plant 

f 8, 1/8 sec., 1X, ISO100, 43 Steps at 450 microns per step

Dry prickly thistle plant 

f 8, 1/8 sec., 1X, ISO100, 43 Steps at 450 microns per step

Chasteberry or
Vitex agnus-castus
f10 ISO 200 1:4X 1/13 2.155mm 12 steps

Chasteberry or
Vitex agnus-castus
f10 ISO 200 1:4X 1/13 2.155mm 12 steps

No color alteration. They were this brilliant in the field at Peridot, AZ

San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation near Peridot, AZ

No color alteration. They were this brilliant in the field at Peridot, AZ

San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation near Peridot, AZ

No color alteration. They were this brilliant in the field at Peridot, AZ

No color alteration. They were this brilliant in the field at Peridot, AZ

Saguaro or
Carnegiea gigantea
San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation near Peridot, AZ

Notch-leaf Scorpionweed or
Phacelia crenulata
San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation near Peridot, AZ

Wild Canterbury Bells or

 Phacelia minor

f20, 0.6 sec., ISO400, 0.75x

Desert thorn-Apple or 

Datura discolor seed pod

f5.6, 1/8 sec, ISO100, .5X, 1.462mm at 21 steps

A very toxic plant that has been used by some for its hallucinogenic properties

Desert thorn-Apple or 

Datura discolor seeds

f4, 1/3 sec, ISO125, 4X, 0.054mm at 78 steps

Peel back the spike cover and these are the seeds

Common mold on many root crops usually in storage

f5.6, 1/80 sec, 100 ISO,1X,  42 shots at 503µ step

Common mold on many root crops usually in storage

f5.6, 1/80 sec, 100 ISO,1X,  42 shots at 503µm step

Adenium 'Crimson'
Star Desert Rose

Echeveria runyonii

Euphorbia tirucalli or
Fire Sticks

Pilosocereus azureus or Blue Torch Cactus

Ferocactus pilosus or
Mexican fire barrel

This wild grass seed pods with multiple curls surrounds  stems on other plants and locks on to it.

Dead Rose,  f5.6, ISO 100, 1/30 sec, 1X, 29 Shots, 487µm

Dead rose stamen, anther and filament. f4, 100 ISO, 1/30 sec, 4.5X, 47 µm step 103 shots 

Canyon Point Campground

I only got poked once, taking this photo. Nothing in the eye.

This is not a palm or a cactus

Calliandra eriophylla or
Fairy Duster

Calliandra eriophylla or
Fairy Duster

Cylindropuntia echinocarpa or
Silver Cholla

This cactus turns from green to a pale blue towards the top of the plant

Hiding a white spider

Large bright fruit. To eat, select firm fruits that have just barely begun to split open and aren't bruised. Peel away the red outer skin or cut the fruit in half and scoop out the soft white flesh that has small black seeds like a kiwi. They usually are eaten raw. Dice the flesh and add to salads, smoothies, fruit salads or desserts. 

Mammillaria parkinsonii or
Qwl's Eyes

This is considered an endangered species

This is considered an endangered species

Tephrocactus articulates formerly known as Opunta diademata or Pinecone Cactus

Hibiscus bud

When it rains in the desert this give off a unique, fresh, pleasant smell that is a combination of several volatile oils, mostly terpene (a compound found in pines), limonene (citrus), camphor (pines and rosemary), methanol (wood alcohol), and 2-undecanone (spices). 

When it rains in the desert creosote gives off a unique, fresh, smell that is a result of several compounds but mostly terpene (a compound found in pines), limonene (citrus), camphor (pines and rosemary), methanol (wood alcohol), and 2-undecanone (spices). 

Mammillaria canelensis or
Pincushion Cactus

The pink object is a seed pod

Trichocereus spachianus

Golden Torch Cactus

Corrvocactus erectus or
Red Hot Chili Poker

Alluadia procera or African ocotillo

Barrel cactus that bloom in the spring develop small fruits resembling pineapples. The flesh is tart with a lemon flavor. 

Also called fish hook cactus

Cereus forbesii 'Spiralis'

Yellow pollen blew all over my camera and hand taking this pic.

Showing ants and aphids

Note ants grooming aphids

This is a critically endangered plant species

Native Nambia to South Africa

Stenocereus pruinosus or Pitayo

Odd shaped leaf

Found in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

Not the assassin bug hiding in the shadows on the lower right joint

Note the lacewing on the right side

Fresh roots or dried roots boiled are used medicinally.
http://naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/a/anemopsis-californica=yerba-mansa.php

Note the three aphids

Camping at Pine Groves north of Mormon Lake

Pine Groves camp ground north of Mormon Lake

Pine Groves camp ground north of Mormon Lake

Pine Groves camp ground north of Mormon Lake

Polemoniaceae, Phlox Speciosa, plants, showy phlox, wildflowers, pink flowers 

Pine Groves camp ground north of Mormon Lake

Polemoniaceae, Phlox Speciosa, plants, showy phlox, wildflowers, pink flowers 

The number 2 shape is from the stigma and has not been altered. Looks like it was typed on the flower

The number 7 shape is from the stigma and has not been altered. Looks like it was typed on the flower

Canyon Point Campground

Canyon Point Campground

1.5X, f5.6, E.A.14, ISO 100, 191um, at 26 steps

Canyon Point campground, Arizona

This is a native perennial and is a true lily, a member of the Lily Family (Liliaceae). It is found in Southwestern coniferous forests, and it blooms from late summer to early fall.

The yellow-orange flowers appear to have 6 petals, but if you look closely it only has 3 broad petals and 3 narrower sepals the same color as the petals.