Grasshopper Haven

Just starting off on the Sierra Norte Trail

Dr. K, Becca and I hiked the Sierra Norte Trail this morning, marveling at the huge number of grasshoppers out and about.  One of the species kept making an incredible sound, similar to the noise made by a light rasp on metal.  I tried my darnedest to get a look at the insect, but every time I approached a bush from which the sound was emanating the offending party would knock off the noise.  Aside from the pesky flies--which are out in force again--we had a wonderfully long trek in the high desert.

Some of the rocky outcroppings in the Organ Mountains

Scouting the territory

Anybody coming up behind us?

Sotol (left)

Yellow flowers of the Turpentine Bush

Looking back the way we've come, toward Soledad Canyon Road

Pausing before descending into a very deep valley

Not a dinosaur

An area where the hiking conditions are rugged

An idea of how high the grass is growing

Barrel Cactus and the Organ Mountains

We headed down this way to get a look at . . .

these flowers growing on a rocky outcrop

They were Sacred Datura (aka Southwestern Thorn Apple)

Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii) flowers are large:  6" to 10"

This large mass was growing out of the arroyo beneath the rock

A highly-toxic plant to humans and animals alike

I liken it to lichen

Sacred Datura is also a powerful hallucinogen

Purple flower on vine

Stingleaf flowers

Another Barrel Cactus with fruit on top

Send in the clones

Trail toward the Organs

Chihuahuan Desert scene

Heading back

Just a mile or so from the parking lot

This black grasshopper (Arphia pseudontoniana) has a bright red underside

Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus

Soledad Rocks

Was this the grasshopper responsible for the noisy racket?

I believe this is a Horse Lubber Grasshopper (no, they don't adore equines)