I sometimes wonder why people who haven't visited the Southwest think it is a vast wasteland, full of nothing but sand and cactus. Obviously, they haven't been out here in the springtime, when we are witnesses to some beautiful, amazing sunsets and desert wildflowers.
From afar, the Buckhorn Cactus doesn't look like much, but a closeup of the flowers at springtime reveal hues of purple, pink, green and white, reminding me of a fireworks bursting into color.
Desert grasses and small yellow wildflowers surround the red Pestemon plant by the Usery Nature Center.
Look closely and you can see why the plant below is called the Chain Fruit Cholla. Yellow Brittlebush plants hug the bases of the cacti. This is one cactus you definitely want to keep your distance from. Needles from these can easily penetrate flip flops.
Desert Marigolds show off their bright yellow faces,
while the Blue Lupine struts it's own colorful bouquet.
Yellow Brittlebush is the most prevalent flowering plant in most desert areas. The bushes pop up alongside the roads, even if the winter rains are sparse. The blue-gray leaves make a nice background for the brilliant yellow flowers with golden centers.
And who can not marvel at the delicate blossoms of the Desert Bluebell flowers? These were all taken at Usery, but traveling to other places in Arizona you'll enjoy the orange blossoms of the Globe Mallow and stretches of California Poppies, depending on the timing and duration of our winter rains. Much to see, and so much to enjoy!
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