On the first full day we headed to High Point Trail. This trail is 4.4 miles (one way) to the top of the Black Mesa. Black Mesa is the highest point in Oklahoma. We barely made it 3/4 of a mile before we turned back. LOL
The mesa elevation is 4,973 feet (1,516 m) in Oklahoma.
Claire was looking at a bird. Briar was watching her people. The mesa is in the background.
A fancy gate at the start of the trail!
Tree Cholla (Cylindropuntia imbricata) with out stretched arms! No thank you, I do not want a hug.
We saw several Townsend’s Solitares and it was back on the junipers. This will have to do for its picture. LOL.
A familiar plant!
There were two types of the Cymopterus in this part of the state, Vesper glomertus or V. montanus. The consensus was towards V. montanus.
Claire spotted this really cute 10mm Robber Fly (Asilidae) along the trail. The dent or depression between the eyes is a key characteristic of Robber Flies. Thanks Claire for pointing that out.
Multiple Devil’s Claw (Proboscidea louisianica) were found.
Front view!
This was as far as we got. And a brief rest was needed. 🙂 Then we headed back to the truck so we could go next the destination for the day.
Don’t forget to sign in and out. Several people from previous days had not signed out. Hope they just forgot to sign out.
Next destination, allosaurus tracks! These tracks are on private property. The landowner has generously allowed the public to view.
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know
8 Comments
Don’t even get close to cholla. It will reach out and grab you. Interesting about the tortoises. What will the ravens feed on when they don’t eat baby tortoises anymore. Wonder if they will endanger something else.
The park brochures note that the landowners allow public access only at that parking spot and on a short trail to the tracks . Presumably this depends on everyone’s good behavior continuing so I’m grateful everyone before us have been good guests!
Don’t even get close to cholla. It will reach out and grab you. Interesting about the tortoises. What will the ravens feed on when they don’t eat baby tortoises anymore. Wonder if they will endanger something else.
I thought they were hoping that the raven population would go back to a more natural level. 🤞🏼
It was a great day! Botany speed is just my speed!
Mine too!😊
That is very cool about the allosaurus tracks. How did you get permission to visit them?
The park brochures note that the landowners allow public access only at that parking spot and on a short trail to the tracks . Presumably this depends on everyone’s good behavior continuing so I’m grateful everyone before us have been good guests!
Excellent! And I’m thrilled your mom captured the Claireosaurus in action. Looks formidable!
We were very lucky to catch the Claireosaurus in action. And like Claire said, graceful to the people before us. 🤞🏼🙏🏽