April 4 - Claret Cup Craziness

Echinocereus triglochidiatus - Claret Cup Cactus - This Central Texas native may be my most favorite cactus of all.  Strikingly brilliant long lasting red blooms, cold hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, tolerant of full sun, soil is optional actually it prefers to grow in cracks of rocks, several specimen can be seen blooming in late March on sheer cliff faces along Interstate 10 west of Sonora.  Sadly this plant is more well known and appreciated in France and Germany, few Texans have made note of its disappearing presence in rocky portions of the Texas Hill Country and parts further West.

April 3 - Question Mark Butterfly

Clematis jackmanii



Carolina Chickadee (top right)



Question Mark Butterfly (in dark "umbrosa" form, from umbrosum meaning: shadowy).  Many butterflies have an "evil" dark colored twin that represents an occasional variation of their usual color patterns.  Probably coming to see some of the native host plants (trees) in the area, Hackberry and Elm.  Many butterflies land on rocks in the garden to lick at salts and other minerals essential to their diet.  Why is this called a Question Mark you ask?  Butterflies that Punctuate: The Eastern Comma and the Question Mark

April 2 - Claret Cup Cactus