Boots and cholla~Nature Notes 120910

I always wear my WALMART steel-toed boots when I'm heading up to visit my horses for a couple of reasons. First, they are steel-toed, which is handy around the horses! I've been stepped on too many times! Second, I like their rubber "waffle" bottoms! I can climb on rocks and they grip the rocks! They are, in my opinion, much better for me than walking shoes. And, as I was out exploring the pinyon forest above Deep Canyon on Sunday, I came across some cholla cactus, including the dried stems. Upon closer observation, I found several little burrs nearby. I decided to put my shoe next to them to show you their size. One needs to be careful walking out in the desert or mountains because these burrs actually "jump" (thus the name, "Jumping Cholla") as you walk by! Actually, it is the reverberation of your steps that cause them to be moved...ANYWAY...as I was photographing them, I kept looking at my shoes to make sure I hadn't picked up any little...er...."travelers"! Nope. I was okay. So, imagine my surprise when I arrived at the horse ranch and I was talking to the owner and she said, "Look what's on your shoe!" Yup. One of the cholla burrs had indeed attached itself to my shoe! And, I'd been walking around, making beet pulp for the horses and hadn't even noticed it! They sure are tricky little buggers! Nature Notes for December 9, 2010.