Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Springtime in the Desert


Springtime in the desert is such a beautiful season. Before the scorching hot months roll in, the open fields of the desert fill up with a wide variety of beautiful wildflowers. Some cactus bloom in the peak heat of the summer, but we've had a few hot days lately, which seems to have cajoled some cactus to bloom as well. I hope these photos brighten your day and bring a smile to your face. I'm dedicating these first two below to my fellow desert rat "Songbird" over at The Desert Ice Box


These next two below are dedicated to my blogger friend Bee at Muffin53.

-Rick Rockhill

17 comments:

Tea N. Crumpet said...

Those are so pretty, Rick!

Are any of those prickly pear cacti? (Upper right is my guess.) My parents had them on their AZ ranch. My dad was not doing well and I went down there. Well, there were these huge jewels on these plants and I asked my mom and she told me. I called the cooperative extension and found out that Prickly Pear jelly is a common treat down I found a recipe and barely followed it to make syrups and jellies. The last morning that my dad could make it to the table (he had days-- actually hours to live) and I put it on. My brother was scared, "Tea, is this safe?"

My brother and my mom were scared to try it and my dad had me put lots on his pancake, "Watch what happens to me in the next day or two, then you'll know if it's OK to eat!"

I'd make several quarts to bring home and take to my dad's funeral. The story was funny and the jelly delicious. I can't bear to use the last jar though. . .

Desert Songbird said...

Aw, aren't you a sweetheart? Thanks, Rick!

Jeni said...

Those pictures would definitely prove to anyone who says the desert is just a blah looking, very hot and dry place to exist, wouldn't they?
Beautiful flowers, beautiful pictures, Rick!

Anonymous said...

WOW! Your cactus are already blooming???? Ours are just beginning to bud!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

thanks rick! they are lovely and sure made me smile this morning!!!

class act here my friend...

smiles, bee
xxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Mo and The Purries said...

Beautiful flowers, and two beautiful ladies!

WAT said...

Beautiful colors out there man. Get ready 'cause that hot dry scorching heat is on its way.

I live and work in the San Fernando Valley, and we go through our own horrid heat waves too.

lime said...

ooooh, thanks. a desert is such an unfamiliar landscape to me. getting to see something like this is exciting.

Mone said...

Beautiful flowers Rick. Over here it was still snowing on easter, yuk! Cant wait for the spring to hit.

Kerry and Rachel said...

Beautiful photos! Love the cactus flowers. Our flowers are just starting here, nothing like what you have in your photos.

Olivia said...

One of my California blog friends described herself as "sun-jaded". Admittedly, I was a bit sun-jaded when I lived in Texas, but after 6 grey years in London, I think I would like to be sun-jaded for the rest of my life!

As for prickly pear, I think I ate some as a kid. My mother told me it was from a cactus and that I had to swallow it slowly because if it went down too fast, being prickly, it might stick in my throat! To this day I am not sure if that was true or not...

Odat said...

Wow..when I think of the desert..this is not what i see!!
Thanks for setting me straight.
Beautiful!
Peace

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos... warmed up a chilly TN day...

TWISI said...

i never think of cactus as beautiful, your photos prove that wrong.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing colorful photos that make me yearn for the disappearance of the snow and the budding of green plants, leaves and grass. Mom brought some of this same cactus home years ago and it multiplies like you wouldn't believe. I think just about everyone in the family has some portion of that original cactus. But it survives the winters in its dormant state and provides yellow flowers. Steven

Diane J Standiford said...

Mother Nature undenied, even in a desert.

PS--You did not win my contest, but big E for effort. Thanks for playing. (If I coulda rigged it for ya, I woulda!!)

Tea said...

Pretty flowers Rick. I seem to faintly remember what joy it is to see flowers come up in the garden LOL
Well at least the snow is melting finally.

tea
xo

Disclaimers...

This blog is about life experiences & observations and stuff I am interested in. It is simply a side hobby and creative outlet; generally, with a tongue-in-cheek tone. I don't take it too seriously, nor should you. I do not profess to represent every point of view. Nothing on this site is a paid post.

It is for entertainment purposes only it, so just lighten up and just enjoy it. Life is short, live in the moment.

As the author, thoughts/views have no affiliation to my clients, business colleagues or my company.

This blog is independent and free of any type of financial affiliations. Some images used are from the internet and sometimes hard to credit them, so if you own any and want them removed just send me a message.

No copyright infringement intended. I am not responsible for defamatory statements bound to government, religious, or other laws from the reader’s country of origin or residence. The intention of this blog is to do no harm, defame, libel or offend anyone.