Sunday Morning in the Rincon Mountains

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Rather than blather on about my Easter Sunday, I'll just share a few images from a morning hike in Tucson's Rincon mountains. Winter rains have given way to wildflowers, and in particular the Encelia brittlebush was spectacular.

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Prickly pear:

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A hoverfly guards his territory:

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Pheidole worker ant gathering nectar from a barrel cactus:

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Honeypot ants emerging from their nest:

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Close-up of Aphaenogaster cockerelli, a common harvester ant:

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By request, I have now organized the ant photos by subfamily.  This mimics the arrangement from the old site.  For the smug-muggers out there who want to know how it work
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Wow! I love the images of the harvester ant. We have been commissioned to make a harvester ant sculpture for a pest control company in Phoenix. Your photographs are inspiring! Thanks!