Archive for the ‘Sonoran Desert’ Tag
Sonoran Desert Elf Hole — Image by kenne
SONORAN ELVES
The Sonoran Desert
is an exceptional place,
at once a mythical
and magical land.
One little-known story,
occasionally heard echoing
through the mountain canyons,
is that of the ageless Sonoran elves.
Not your common elves,
but rather
well-to-do old elves
of good physical endurance,
known for their
clear and quick wit,
traversing between worlds –
real and imaginary.
I was born between
the real and the imaginary,
possessing the elf name
Angaráto Sáralondë —
I first noticed signs
of these desert elves
in the holes
of burnt desert trees.
Although preferring to
stay in the comfort
of their tree holes
the Sonoran Elves,
able to take on
average human height,
can be seen hiking
the canyon trails.
Warning:
they will attack
when threaten with
great fury and brawn!
— kenne
(Dedicated to my fellow hikers.)
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Saguaro In Bloom — Image by kenne
It’s that time of year
Saguaro buds are popping
A desert in bloom.
— kenne
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Ocotillo Blooming In Sabino Canyon — Images by kenne
Fouquieria splendens (commonly known as ocotillo American Spanish: [okoˈtiʝo], but also referred to as coachwhip, candlewood, slimwood, desert coral, Jacob’s staff, Jacob cactus, and vine cactus) is a plant indigenous to the Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Desert in the Southwestern United States (southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), and northern Mexico (as far south as Hidalgo and Guerrero).
More Information on Wikipedia
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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
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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.)
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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
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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
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