I-20 Pond and Jenna Welch Nature Preserve

Spent some time Tuesday morning at I-20 Nature Preserve.

The boardwalk going south toward the dam crosses the playa, totally devoid of any moisture. The dry vegetation hosted Clay-colored and Chipping Sparrow along with Red-winged Blackbird. Bullock's Oriole and Western Kingbird calls punctuated the silence. 

Mesquite in bloom perfumed the air drawing buzzing insects to nectar. 

The delicate individual flowerettes are marvels of nature. 

Dam Trail

East Side

Walking the trails I can almost forget that I'm in the city limits, except for the traffic noise from I-20. The temperature drops by 10 degrees or more and the air takes on a softer feel. 

The yucca is just starting to bloom while the yucca in the valley began blooming in January. 

The brief rain that fell on April 19 had produced an abundance of wild flowers. I went camera crazy snapping every bloom in sight. 

Sleepy Daisy

Chocolate Daisy

Paper Flower

Lazy Daisy

Primrose

Old Wooly White

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Huisache Daisy (Honey Daisy)

Blue Curls

Prairie Larkspur

Germander

Nama hispidum (Sand Bell)

Rampant wildflowers brought back pleasant Midnat Memories - Frances Williams always said she felt as if she was saying a blessing when speaking "Nama hispidum", does sound like a gregorian chant. 

 The east side trail is a canopy of feral forest, and almost far enough from I-20 to muffle most of the road noise.

I have always called this section "The Cathedral"

The vaulted ceiling creates a special aura that promotes peaceful thoughts.

 This boardwalk has no blind, but just imagine the playa filled with water.

Can't count all the times I've heard that Roadrunners don't perch in trees and I can't count the number of photos I've taken to prove otherwise.

Cottontail rabbits are prolific and extremely tame, should count them on one of my walks. 

Hermit Thrush and MacGillivray's Warbler popped out at the same time, Warbler managed to elude my camera.  

Spanish Dagger on the trail, don't recall ever seeing it bloom in the past 20 years. 

Mallard was the sole occupant of Benchmark Pond today. 

Lizard thought he was hidden and I couldn't tell if my camera had found him until I came home. 

Just another walk through the forest, refreshing to the body and the soul and never failing to produce surprises.