Another Desert Drive

A couple of weeks ago I posted some pictures from our drive through the Anza-Borrego Desert. I promised to try to go back and catch the desert in bloom...here's some of the shots I got Saturday. Last year I purchased a pamphlet called Wildflowers of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. I used it as sort of a scavenger hunt to see how many I could find and photograph on this trip. Of the 57, I found 21, (not so hot huh!). Oh well, it was lots of fun anyway - plus I had a great day with my family. Here's what I found: (*plant name under each photo*)

CACTI

#4 on the list: Beavertail

#6 Gander's Cholla

#7 Teddybear Cholla


TREES AND SHRUBS

#10 Mohave Yucca

#12 Chuparosa

#13 Ocotillo

#17 Indigo Bush

#23 Desert Cassia

#24 Brittlebush

#25 Creosote Bush

ANNUAL WILDFLOWERS

#26 Desert Lily

#33 Desert Chicory

#34 Fremont Pincushion

#35 Popcorn Flower

#37 Desert Star

#40 Spanish Needles

#46 Sand Verbena

#47 Wild Heliotrope

#50 Arizona Lupine

#52 Desert Dandelion

# 55 Fiddleneck

It was a really fun day. And I think if you pull off the road sometime - get out - wander around...you'll be surprised at what you can find. There's real beauty to be found...sometimes in the most unlikely places.

Blessings,

Aubrey

Desert Season

About an hour from our house is a great State Park - the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. At the beginning of Spring each year the desert blossoms and it's so beautiful. I grew up in the state of Arizona, surrounded by desert. I have to admit, I never paid any attention to whether the desert was blossoming or not. I definitely paid attention when it was over 110 degrees out. I loved to be outside when it was storming (rain was so rare!). But now that I've grown up and moved to San Diego, when I get the chance to drive through the desert and see it blooming, it amazes me with it's beauty. Isn't funny how something can be right in front of you for years and you never notice it?!This first shot is of the Ocotillo. These are so pretty and can grow to be quite tall. Below is a close up of their blossoms.

I don't know what type of flower this is; but they were everywhere. Jeff really liked their red center.Here's another cluster of flowers. I'm not certain of their name either but I'm sure Bob Ross would say "there is a lovely flower with a bunch of his happy friends!" Miss ya Bob!

I loved these cactus. It was so cool, we were driving by at just the right time to catch the light hitting their tops so that they looked like they were glowing. It was so neat.

Now out in the midst of all this. What did we run across...power lines. But you know, even though they're out of place out there, they do add their own architectural contribution to the scene. Besides that, if they weren't there I probably wouldn't be able to share these pictures with you! :)

Here was one of the last shots I took on our way out.

I think we were still a couple weeks early to catch the desert in full color. Usually there's lots of white, orange, red, purple, and yellow flowers. We really only saw the yellow & white this trip. Plus there were lots of buds that hadn't opened yet. If we get the chance I'll try and go back in a couple of weeks and show you how pretty it really can be.

Blessings!

Aubrey