BajaNomad

Unscathed side of the estuary

bajajudy - 8-23-2009 at 06:57 AM

Only the La Playa side of the estuary was burned by the fire.
The El Presidente side was untouched. We drive down the dirt paths frequently before feeding the dogs.
Here are some photos of what we saw two evenings ago.
This water was as clear as could be.

estero1.jpg - 43kB

Buds

bajajudy - 8-23-2009 at 07:01 AM

I cannot ever remember seeing this plant in bloom before. This is the flower before it opens

[Edited on 8-23-2009 by bajajudy]

estero2.jpg - 46kB

Open

bajajudy - 8-23-2009 at 07:04 AM

And what a beautiful fragrance. Heady like gardenias.

estero3.jpg - 36kB

Wide open

bajajudy - 8-23-2009 at 07:09 AM



open.jpg - 38kB

Wild Life

bajajudy - 8-23-2009 at 07:15 AM

A few months ago we were stomping around in an open area when we saw this strange thing on the ground. I had never seen anything like it.
10 Minutes later we saw a colt that had just been born. What we had seen was the afterbirth. He couldnt have been over an hour old
Here he is today.
We are enjoying watching him grow up.

colt.jpg - 33kB

Santiago - 8-23-2009 at 07:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
Heady like gardenias.


"That's Hedley!"
H.Lamarr

bajajudy - 8-23-2009 at 09:18 AM

This osprey survived.
This dead tree has been a landmark for us for many years. The horses are almost always near it.

estero5.jpg - 42kB

DianaT - 8-23-2009 at 12:59 PM

Thanks for sharing those---from you pictures, it looks like a very nice place to visit, and I sure am glad it was not damaged in the fire.

Diane

ecomujeres - 8-23-2009 at 10:01 PM

Re photos: Open & Wide Open & Buds

Judy. Lovely photos of the milkweed (Aslepias sp.). We have had a relative of this plant growing in our yard in Oakland this summer, a California native, and the fragrance was absolutely heady.

Buds -- are you sure that the photo is the same plant as the other two? The flower buds look a lot like Baccharis salicifolia, in the sunflower family, and commonly known as Mule Fat (see Norm Robert's book) which can be found in the cape.

bajajudy - 8-23-2009 at 10:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ecomujeres
Re photos: Open & Wide Open & Buds


Buds -- are you sure that the photo is the same plant as the other two? The flower buds look a lot like Baccharis salicifolia, in the sunflower family, and commonly known as Mule Fat (see Norm Robert's book) which can be found in the cape.


Yes I am sure they are the same. Look at the leaves.
Dont have Norm's book handy but will double check in the morning
Glad you are interested!

bajajudy - 8-23-2009 at 10:15 PM

Found this shot of both
edit to add

But am not convinced either now.

ah a botanical mystery

[Edited on 8-24-2009 by bajajudy]

both.jpg - 47kB

ecomujeres - 8-25-2009 at 06:03 PM

Hey Judy:

The last photo is definitely Milkweed. Notice the way that the flowers are clustered and radiate from a central point-- an umbel. The leaves are ovate or elliptical as well. The leaf margins aren't toothed.

Next, look at the first photo you posted of "buds". Look how the flowers are arranged. They are in branched branches, not at all radiating from a central point. The flowers themselves look like a composite (sunflower family) that doesn't have the rays (like a daisy does). The leaves also have teethed margins and are more lanceolate (long and thinner). I hold to the Baccharis salicifolia ID or some related species. It fits too with being around areas where there is more ground water (like arroyos and nearby estero).

And I'm always interested in plant photos http://forums.bajanomad.com/images/smilies/yes.gif. You know me--you've got a copy of my Mulege Plant CD.

Hope we'll get to see you and Jim this coming January in Loreto at the turtle conference!

Debra

ecomujeres - 8-25-2009 at 06:06 PM

Judy:

I just realized from your last photo that this plant may be vinelike. Correct? In that case, it could actually be Sarcostema sp., still a milkweed.

Hopefully one day, we'll get down to the cape region and get to check out and do more research on the plants there.

DV

bajalera - 8-25-2009 at 06:39 PM

What beautiful flowers, followed by interesting botanical info--thank you, Judy and Eco!

bajajudy - 8-25-2009 at 07:19 PM

Debra
I thought that might be you! I was going down to check these plants out but the river bed is flooded. I will keep trying until I can take some more photos and check out the plants.
Lera..thanx. I like this stuff too.

ecomujeres - 8-28-2009 at 10:43 PM

Judy:

I've been looking at photos of other milkweeds for comparison, and I do believe that your's is a Sarcostemma.

Unfortunately, my best source for Baja plant ID's has photos of only one species, and it's not yours. Oh, well. Sometimes I have to be satisfied with reaching a genus level ID when only using photos!

Debra

Natalie Ann - 8-29-2009 at 08:20 AM

Judy - My favorite is the first one - the water grasses. It's inviting in the same way the tree tunnel appeals to me.

Eco - The milkweed looks like what's in my Berkeley garden, too, but I'll take your word as to the type of Judy's. btw I'm a happy Berkeley gardener and if you'd ever like to swap plant cuttings or seeds just send me a u2u.

Nena