(no subject)

[guppiecat]

On my last night in Phoenix, I went to the Steele Indian Park. From what I could tell, this is a park that was build around a school that had been used to "educate" the local Indians. There was lots of history, but what was more impressive was the park/garden that had been designed by native americans (aboriginals to those of you who live up north). It was based on a spiral, and the flora was interspersed with fragments of poetry. The spiral centers around a reflecting pool.

Beauty is before me. And beauty behind me. Above and below me hovers the beautiful. --Navajo Chant




Birds Making Out - These two were totally going at it. So was the couple in front of me on the path. Must have been something in the air.


Thirsty Duck - Water water everywhere, and not a drop to... wait a minute.


Duck - He just came in for a landing. I missed it.


Hummingbird on twig in city


Close up of fibrous plant - I have no idea what evolutionary role the fibers play, but they're interesting looking.


Prickly Pear - Closeup. Do not touch the little "fuzzy" red things. Hurts like hell.


Little Bird, Big World - A study in sizes.


Arizona Fairy Ring - Not much else to say here. It's pretty obvious what it is. The players stand on the cactus, and the dancers go around the ring. Be careful which shoes you bring.


Bugs - These bugs were only on this one stalk. It was very strange.


Bugs - Closeup of the strange bugs.

Comments

[twilightbunny.livejournal.com]

Could they be cochineal?

I can't seem to find any colour images of them...but the shape appears similar to the smaller drawing here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal

They definetly are of an impressive shade of red. Usually cochineal feed on prickly pear cacti...

Great pictures btw!

[guppiecat]

Thanks, I'm glad you like the photos. I found a colour image of the cochineal here. Apparently the female is completely red, not patterned like I saw. The male has wings.

I'm guessing it's not one of those. Thanks for the pointer though, interesting reading.

[twilightbunny.livejournal.com]

Ah well...I wasn't sure.

Glad you had an educational time :D