Spring brings out blossoms on most of our cacti, shrubs and trees. The Arizona State Tree is the the Palo Verde. This is a photo of a tree in the wash in full bloom. A close-up of some individual blossoms can be seen in the inset. Click on the image to enlarge.
The forecast for our town predicted a high of 95° today, but on our patio, it got up to a bit over 100° in the shade. I checked the Phoenix metro area and they were also at 100. It is usually 5 to 10 degrees cooler here as compared to the valley, but not this afternoon.
Speaking of the valley, we will be going down there tomorrow to shop for a few things not generally available here in town. A stop at Wally World should do the trick. Photo courtesy of the Damsel. Click on the image to enlarge.
Last night, the flowers started opening. I took this image this morning of the first flower. As I post this, the second flower is opening and I will get a photo of it in the morning. A third flower pod will probably open in a few days. Click on the image to enlarge.
This Schlumbergera is one of the first houseplants I bought locally for the Arizona house. Even though it’s popular name is Christmas cactus, this one seems to have its flowers in April like an Easter cactus. No matter, though, the flowers are very pretty. Click on the image to enlarge.
Today is my Mom’s 93rd birthday. Damsel and I went to visit her today at her retirement ranch. While we were there, I took a couple of images of the view from the window of her room and merged them into this single panoramic image. Click on the image to enlarge.
Mom looks out the window and sees some mesquite trees, other cabins around the ranch, birds of many varieties and the cottontail bunnies that graze out there. She has been resident at the ranch for a little over a month now and has made many new friends and seems to be enjoying her new habitat.
I posted a photo of this cactus last week with a single open flower. Today, we were delivering a package to Mom’s retirement ranch when I saw these flowers open on the same cactus. Wow! How beautiful! I love spring in the Desert. Click on the image to enlarge.
I took this photo of one of the several curve billed thrashers that have been hanging around the area. There are several pairs that have built nests which should be filled with eggs soon. I hope to get some photos of the thrashers and their chicks without disturbing them this spring.
I’m not sure what the bird has in its bill, maybe a seed or something for its mate. Click on the image to enlarge.