May 31, 2011

Rivulets, Ponds, and Flowers

One of the unexpected delights of riding in Tabby Mountain Wildlife Management Area are the small spring-fed rills and pools. Birch Spring (above) creates a meadow at about 8000 feet.
The water supply nourishes currant bushes for wildlife food, thick brush for habitat,
and usually a supply of lush grass.
We found this unnamed spring-fed pond, located at about 8500 feet, by following a deer/elk trail.  It has water year-round and a little taste of green grass even late in the year.
With the earth still moist from snow melt and a rainy spring, wildflowers sprinkle the range, flourishing amongst the sage.  Besides the ubiquitous paintbrush, we saw:
Larkspur
Milkvetch
Violets
Unknown
Unknown
  Barrel Cactus are blooming on the mountain at about 8000 feet.
Steve accidentally turned over a small barrel cactus and found that the underside was home sweet home to an ant colony.  The ants scurried to move their eggs.  Steve replaced the plant where he found it, and all was back to status quo with cactus and insects.
After reading about ants and cactus, we found that there is a process called "mutualism" between the two species.  The ants feed on a barrel cactus' nectar-secreting glands, and in return, the ants discourage herbivore bugs from feeding upon the cactus.

20 comments:

  1. I really like seeing the wildflowers of Utah! (I'm pretty sure I already told you that...and will likely tell you again. lol) How interesting about ants and Barrel cactus. Nature is so much more complex than most of us suspect.

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  2. Fascinating tidbit about the ants. Nature is a funny thing. Love your header...such a pretty flower.

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  3. Another lovely tour Janie. I have never seen a barrel cactus' bloom before, and found the relationship between ants and the cactus fascinating. Thanks so much.

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  4. Glorious flowers. I like the meadow, too - good grazing for the horses. As for the cactus and ant mutualism, that's fascinating. There's so much we don't know about the planet we live on.

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  5. the flowers are so pretty, and that is very interesting about the aunts and the cactus. I've never turned one over :)

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  6. I like all of your flower photos. The unnamed spring picture is a really neat shot.

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  7. Hi Janie, What a great group of gorgeous wildflowers. Wow---how beautiful!!!!

    Love the Tabby Mtn. Wildlife Management Area... That meadow is incredible... Wow!!!! AND--at 8000 feet.... Neat!!!

    Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  8. That cactus had a secret life going on there! Love the flowers and the views!

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  9. Thanks for the information about the mutualism between ants and cactus -- I wasn't aware of that. Your high elevation meadows are beautiful.

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  10. The meadow and pond are beautiful and I enjoyed seeing the wildflowers and ants.

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  11. The flowers are all so vibrant!

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  12. That's a thicket of brush on the second photo. Looks like something I was hacking through today. I also saw a rattlesnake! Whew, another close call (knock on wood.)

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  13. Janie..I love your stories and the photos that tell so well. You are living the life that I dream about. Trying to will the days till' my husband says he's had enough of the 30+ years so we can go off and find our own "Utah Trails"..

    Your life, stories and photos inspire me!

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  14. I love the little violets. Have seen larkspur and vetch here. That is so cool about the ants and cactus. Looks like another great ride.

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  15. A green little oasis. Now neat. And the flowers are absotlutely stunning. Thanks for sharing Janie. :)

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  16. I am luckily to see the wildflowers and scenary in Utah,Janie.
    This cuctas has beautiful flower!

    Have a nice week!

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  17. Can't believe your larkspur is already growing! What a great photo of the ant colony.

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  18. Y'know, you just can't top Mother Nature for beauty even though sometimes it's pretty fierce.

    I love wildflowers and those that you find in the mountains and deserts are so special.

    How interesting about the connection between the ants and the cacti! I love learning things like that. So thanks!

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  19. I see spring has finally sprung in the northwest. You captured its beauty perfectly, Janie.

    Happy trails,
    Pam

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  20. Lovely photos of all the new blooming colors Janie!!!! Cool facts on the ants/cactus!

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