When I go exploring I look for the minute and the detail, but not really. That would require me to be on my hands and knees and most probably using a magnifying glass. I'll probably do that some day, but not yet. There's still too much to see without that aid or inconvenience. Don't get me wrong. I'm on my knees or belly a lot for photography, but usually after I've identified an interesting plant, insect or rock while standing.

Yesterday I spent some time in the fields at the ranch next to us and although there were plenty of beautiful flowers to talk about (and I did on a previous blog), there were still some things that got left unmentioned. Several were not immediately identifiable. Some plants just don't reveal themselves to me until they've developed further. Identification books usually only a plant in one stage of it's growth. Believe me, plants and insects often go through several stages that are totally different. In the case of a plant, often the leaves will be a constant, but few books picture the leaves well.

Here's an interesting plant that I found in two wet areas at the ranch. It's most distinctive feature is the reddish, blub-like pod growing on a stiff green stem. It has grass or sedge-like long slender leaves. I've joined 3 of it's stages together in this one photo. I'm not positive that the last stage belongs to the same plant, but since it was found next to the others and shared the same grassy leaves, it's a good bet. Anyone know this? The pod is quite attractive and distinctive growing among the other flowers and plants.

Look at the fine filaments that come out of the blooming head stage. They are lacy in appearance. I'll try to find this plant at an even later stage and see if it reveals its identity to me.


Another plant that escapes notice until you really stare at your feet is this little Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia parviflora) wildflower. It's one of the smallest wildflowers in the area. It's flowers are fashioned a bit like the snap dragon. The flower is probably 1/8" or less, so this image is much bigger than life size. I found this in the RV park grass, and here in the field at the ranch. This photo was taken while the grass was wet, so it doesn't so the detail as well as a dry specimen would. You can get a clue of the size by the size of the water droplets hanging to the flower. They are all over the place, you just have to look closely.


Another totally unknown plant could be something familiar and common, but in an early stage or it could be something rare. There were not many specimens and these are in the path of the cows, so once they get here, I might lose track of this guy. I'd sure be interested in knowing what it is. I've joined a closeup of the top of the plant with a more wide view. They are about 12" tall.

To continue my confession of ignorance, I present you with this next guy. It's familiar because I've seen it in the past, but I just can't yet identify it. The stems are red and the bracts are bright red as well. It hides in the Sagebrush and is fairly wide spread throughout the fields of the ranch. With the narrow leaves that are opposite, it should be easy to identify. I'll let you know if I can find it. (You let me know too.)


Of course, poking around in the grasses wouldn't be complete without noticing a fly or wasp or bee. Here's an American Hover Fly taking a drink on a plant. These guys are considered good since their larvae attach insects that destroy commercial crops. They get their name from the way they hover above a flower so silently.