Cactus Monday

It's a dreary, drippy day here in Southern California,
so how about a bit of color?

Mojave Mound / Claret Cup (Echinocereus triglochidiatus)

As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.

~ John Lubbock

Be sure to visit Terri's Painted Daisies for more cactus beauty.

Happy Cactus Monday!

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all mothers a very special day today!

Who ran to help me when I fell,

And would some pretty story tell,

Or kiss the place to make it well?

My mother.

~ Ann Taylor

Lady Banks Rose

What flower was I photographing while making the roadrunner in my previous post so nervous? This Lady Banks rose. It was mostly past its prime, but the blossoms were lovely anyway. The profusion of blooms provides a refreshing oasis in the dry desert.

A beautiful lady is an accident of nature.

A beautiful old lady is a work of art.

~ Louis Nizer

Beep! Beep!

I am by no means a wildlife photographer—usually my photos of wild critters are blurry at best. But I had such a fun encounter with this roadrunner that I thought I'd share a couple photos that turned out okay. This gal (or guy) was very focused on trying to lure me away from her nest and babies. I knew I was invading her territory, and was being very respectful and careful while I took a few photos of flowers. The entire time she "clacked" and scooted about in a hilarious display, getting more and more brave.

Disappearialis quickius*

Finally, when she jumped up on this old cart I was standing next to, almost within arm's reach, I gave her the space she wanted. They are truly fascinating and beautiful birds.

* from "Zoom at the Top," a Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoon

Cactus Monday

How about a delicate beavertail bloom for this Cactus Monday...

A woman should be like a single flower, not a whole bouquet.
~ Anna Held

Happy Cactus Monday!

For more deserty delights, visit Teri's Painted Daisies.

Earth laughs in flowers

desert chicory (Rafinesquia neomexicana)

Fremont's phacelia (Phacelia fremontii)

desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata)

Mojave aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia var. tortifolia)

Earth laughs in flowers.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gilded

To the illumined man or woman,

a clod of dirt, a stone, and gold are the same.

~ Bhagavad Gita

Cactus Monday

The desert is definitely blooming! We were out over the weekend and were astounded at how green and yellow the East Mojave is right now. It is simply carpeted with flowers. It was a working weekend, so I didn't have time to take many photos, but we could not drive by this beauty without stopping.  This is Mojave mound cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus), also known as claret cup for obvious reasons.

Happy Cactus Monday! 
See more treasures at Teri's Painted Daisies.

The earth is like a beautiful bride who needs no manmade jewels to heighten her loveliness.

~ Kahlil Gibran

Metamorphosis

One of the most beautiful flowers of the desert is dune evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides).  It's also called birdcage evening primrose or devil's lantern.  When I saw the flowers for the first time, those other names didn't make sense to me.  I read that when the plant dies, the stems curl upwards into what looks like a birdcage.  Even though I found a few photos online, I still couldn't believe this beautiful, delicate flower could end up looking like that.  Well, this year I found irrefutable proof, up close and personal.  Amazing!  Mother Nature sure has a sense of humor...

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.

~ Unknown

Green!

I guess you know spring is in the air when you see multiple photography assignments and contests focused on the color green. I finally decided maybe I should get in on some of the fun, so here is my submission for Gardening Gone Wild's Picture This Contest for April. Be sure to check out the other green submissions too!

pincushion flower seedhead (Scabiosa columbaria)

If your knees aren't green by the end of the day,

you ought to seriously re-examine your life.

~ Bill Watterson