Today's photo is of a very red insect that we saw on our hike. It was really big...probably about three inches long. It was a flying insect and when it flew its back legs dangled down. The body is a bluish black. I have not been able to identify it yet. We were so entertained by how it flew around it us so we could really get a good look at it.
Edit: Tamara helped me out with the ID on this insect. Tarantula hawk wasp. I had read about this insect in a book but didn't make the connection. This is a prime example of how in the desert, life is a delicate balance. Thanks Tamara.
Now for those that asked me about the barrel cactus fruit. I have no idea if you can eat it like the prickly pear. Here is a photo of what the insides look like. The birds were having a feast with the fruits and seeds.
There were many, many black seeds inside the fruit on the barrel cactus.
Thanks to Jennifer for hosting an April Showers of Photos challenge on her blog S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
