Dog Days

The dog star, Sirius, is high in the sky and August takes its queue from that.  The plants of summer all have their place and their story to tell. 

Passiflora caerulea, the blue passionflower

At least in our backyard, things are going well.  The passionflower is finally blooming and the late blooming flowers are holding on.  Daylilies have finished after a good show.  Cleome is doing well in the shade of the sand cherries.  Canas and Hibiscus are putting on their best display.  

Rio Chama near Pilar

Last Tuesday, Ric and I went north looking for the strange new Aphyllon species.  We headed up the Rio Grande from Espanola, first on the west bank and then on the east bank.  Checking almost every turnout with any sign of Chamisa, we eventually got to Pilar where the road went to poorly maintained gravel.  Our target species was never found.  Too early in the season?  Not a favorable year?  

Rio Grande at the Central Ave. bridge

While the Rio further north still slows freely, by the time things get to Albuquerque, all the water has been diverted to irrigation canals.  The river bed is completely dry here.  :-(