Last week, we saw this lovely flower for the first time. It's a winged dock (Rumex venosus). Wild-begonia is another name, although this plant is not related to the genus Begonia.
These blooms were covering a hill in the Cedars near our house. They seem to love dry, sandy conditions. If we had not ventured off of our familiar beaten path, we never would have seen them.
In the same vicinity, we also saw yucca plants, almost ready to bloom.
We've seen a few of these guys before. He's a desert horned lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), commonly known as a horny toad, although he is not a toad. Isn't he cute? These creatures subsist on ants and other slow-moving insects.**A blogger comment from Ryan O'Donnell at http://www.birdingisfun.com/ says the above is actually a Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi). Since I'm not a biologist and he is, I think he's got it right!
Love your post for the day, Janie! The flowers are delightful and I love the horny toads! Everything so different from here in the northwest! I'm crazy about what we have here, but I've lived in desert areas and I always enjoyed the plants/animals etc. This was a great look back! Hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I haven't seen a horny toad in so long...I remember chasing them when I was a kid...
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful red flowers. Never seen them before.
ReplyDeleteThose flowers are just beautiful. What a lucky find. I don't think I'd care for such creature running wild here.
ReplyDeleteThe hills and mountains are full of amazing plants and wildlife. I always learn something new from you wandering, Janie. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, Janie, "cute" is in the eye of the beholder! I have never seen that Winged Dock - it's very pretty and looks like you spotted quite a patch of it.
ReplyDeleteLove those horny toads. I agree, very cute. Looks like a Ned if you ask me.
ReplyDeletesuch wonderful surprises can be had in your world. thanks for sharing and have a lovely week.
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Winged dock? Interesting name for an interesting-looking plant. I have never heard of it before.
ReplyDeleteYes nature s full of surprises. It makes carrying a camera everywhere so much fun. :)
I don't know what I like better..the flowers or the cute toad. Great captures Janie.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the desert just full of beautiful surprises? I can't remember how many horny toads we brought home and kept as a pet in a box of sand on top of the dresser. I don't know howmy mom stood it.
ReplyDeleteBeauty blossoms in unlikely conditions. It is a lovely flower. Never saw a lizard like that....
ReplyDeleteThey horny toad is one street-smart looking dude! These are warm and lovely shots.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post and have to say that the desert horned lizard is an amazing little creature, so prehistoric looking.
ReplyDeleteWe live on an amazing planet. It's such a delicate balance that we alter with our existence. Hope you, Steve and Daisy are all well. I'm glad to be home.
ReplyDeleteHad my share of horny toads growing up...loved them! Nice to see a pic of them and to remember!
ReplyDeleteThat dock is beautiful spread across the sand. And I love seeing the horned lizards around here, when I see them as they blend in so well with the forest duff.
ReplyDeleteI always learn something from your posts. Your flora and fauna are so very different to ours and so much more exotic! I guess the lizard is not particularly tasty though doubtless something preys on him!
ReplyDeleteThe winged dock is a new flower to me--very unusual and hardy-looking!
ReplyDeleteThe horny toad brought back memories of my childhood in the 1950s, growing up in San Bernardino, a semi-arid region. Horny toads lived in the empty fields near our house and I've never seen them again since we moved from SB in 1959. Thanks for the memories!
The horny toad may be 'cute', but I much prefer the flower. I don't think I've ever seen it before, but it definitely is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThat Horny Lizard is so unique..!!!
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My Outfit at My Best Friend's Engagement
Amazing rows and rows of flowers. And what a handsome lizard!
ReplyDeletewhat fantastic shots of the desert. hugs from london as always.
ReplyDeleteand love the header too.
I haven't seen Winged Dock before, how beautiful. The flowers don't look like they should be on a plant growing in dry sand!
ReplyDeleteThe Horny Lizard is cute, and looks like a miniature dinosaur.
Horny toads are so ugly they're cute. I bet Daisy could have fun chasing one!
ReplyDeleteahhh! horned lizard, lucky you! I love seeing these guys but haven't i in a couple years. great post :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting flora and fauna!
ReplyDeleteCool horny toad and piece of desert. Nothing quite like that here, though maybe in the eastern parts of the state.
ReplyDeleteYou show us many wonders of nature Janie that I have never seen before. Love the Wild Begonias. And the spiky Guy too! Do you think he will love our Iguana?
ReplyDeletethat horny toad is cool,
ReplyDeletelooks more like a short horned lizard then the desert horned lizard great picture either way
I agree with Chris, your horned lizard is a Greater Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi), not a Desert Horned Lizard (Phyrnosoma platyrhinos).
ReplyDeleteThe photo is without a doubt of a Phrynosoma hernandezi (the preferred spelling among most herpetologists, since it was named after an explorer, HernandeZ). P. hernandezi are higher elevation dwelling species than their typical valley dwelling cousins, such as the P. platyrhinos.
ReplyDeleteSource - I'm a horned lizard researcher, rescuer, and rehabilitator.
facebook.com/hornedlizards