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Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - City of Rocks State Park, Faywood NM

Emory oaks at dawn, Site 12, City of Rocks State Park, Faywood NM, March 14, 2009
Emory oaks at dawn, Site 12, City of Rocks State Park, Faywood NM, March 14, 2009

Emory oak

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about the Emory oak:

Emory oak (Quercus emoryi) is a species of oak common in Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas (Big Bend National Park), USA, and northern Mexico south to Durango and San Luis Potosí. It typically grows in dry hills at moderate altitudes.

It is a live oak in the red oak group, retaining its leaves through the winter until the new leaves are produced in spring, and is a large shrub or small tree from 5-17 m tall. The leaves are 3-6 cm long, entire or wavy-toothed, leathery, dark green above, paler below. The acorns are 1.5-2 cm long, blackish-brown, and mature in 6-8 months from pollination; the kernel is sweet, and is an important food for many mammals and birds.

The tree is named after the United States army surveyor, Lieutenant William Hemsley Emory, who surveyed the area of west Texas where it was discovered in 1846.

Night camp

Site 12 - City of Rocks State Park, Faywood NM

Roses

Out by the road on the far side of the house is a wild rose bush. It's mostly thorns. We never water it or cut it back. It just lives on its own. It makes tiny yellow roses that never relax. I think the buds know that opening up is the beginning of the end.

The Box Children, Sharon Wyse

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