Ocotillo Blooming In Sabino Canyon — Images by kenne
Archive for the ‘Sonoran Desert’ Tag
An Ocotillo Morning In Sabino Canyon 1 comment
Ocotillo Sun Leave a comment
Ocotillo Sun — Digital Art by kenne
The ocotillos
are in bloom
all over the desert,
their red flame
lost only when
inline with the sun.
— kenne
Creosote Bush Blossoms 1 comment
Creosote Bush Blossoms — Images by kenne
If you have ever experienced rain in the Sonoran Desert, then you have experienced what is often referred to as the “smell of rain.” ** It is a pungent smell exhibiting a characteristic odor of creosote coming from an evergreen shrub from which its common name is derived.
This Scrub is the most drought tolerant perennial in North America, and it may be the oldest living plant. As the plant grows older, its oldest branches die, and its crown splits into separate crowns. Eventually, the old crown dies, and the new one becomes a clonal colony from the previous plant, composed of many separate stem crowns all from the same seed.
Often there are no other plants around creosote plants resulting in pure stands. The latest explanation for this is that the root systems of mature creosote plants are simply so efficient at absorbing water that fallen seeds nearby cannot accumulate enough water to germinate, effectively creating dead zones around every plant.
— kenne
** (Because we haven’t had any rain for awhile, the “smell of rain” would be welcome about now.)
Fairy Duster 2 comments
Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla) — Images by kenne
This perennial is one of the first blooming plants in the Sonoran Desert. These scrubs love hot and dry climates, so the Sonoran Desert is perfect for them.
— kenne
Cold Blooded and Warm Blooded Animals Are On The Move 2 comments
Desert Spiny Lizard in the Saguaro National Park (April 2, 2018) — Image by kenne
Most days here in the Sonoran Desert are averaging in the 80’s causing reptiles to be on the move and our “snowbird” friends to start packing for their journey north.
With morning lows around 50 degrees, this Desert Spiny (Sceloporus magister) was more interested in sunning than our nearby presence. This native of the Sonoran Desert is a large (up to about 142 mm or 5.6″ from snout to vent), stocky lizard with large, pointed, keeled, overlapping scales. The Desert Spiny can live up to six years, which explains the one that has been a patio friend for several years now, which I visit with each day.
— kenne
Out Of The Darkness, Into The Sunshine 1 comment
Desert Lupine — Image by kenne
Out of the darkness
Signs of spring begin to rise —
Liberated, free.
Now I see poppies
Brightening the desert fields —
Now I’m satisfied.
— kenne
Saguaros At Sunrise Leave a comment
Saguaros At Sunrise — Image by kenne
The Capture of Mr. Sun
The sun is a lion
circling his cage,
Caught for you, brought for you
on this wheeled stage,
Through fixed bars glaring
his wrath and his rage
Like a pen for the baby
or bedrails in old age.
The lion is a sunflower
with a broad gold face,
Its petals outstreaming
like a mane or the rays
Of that candescent Power
we all watch pace
Through the gendering heavens
on its circuit of days.
The flower is tracing
the sun on its rounds;
The carnival moves through
its orbit of towns;
The lion's cage rolls
your streets up and down
Where be pads and we shiver
at his smile, his frown.
-- W. D. Snodgrass
