Orange Sherbert

During the time of this write, I was skeptical that I wouldn't have a post a day for you.  I know I don't have to do it but I love hearing from you all and they're a lot of fun to do.  Plus it allows me to write down my thoughts.  And just when I thought things would come to a halt for a bit(teaching summer school), nature in the Old Pueblo picks up and presents me a new challenge.  Over the next 3 days, I'll present Tucson plants that attract the critters.  I'm pretty excited about these photo shoots.

And during the time of this write, we were receiving our daily monsoonal flow.  It was hot and humid over the past several days.  The mornings are intense and then.....the afternoon.  Lightening and storms hit our areas and knock power out.  Plants are watered by Mother Nature and the flooding begins.  As I write now, a storm is hitting us hard.   I must admit that it's pretty exciting.  The weather here is dangerous but it is the most incredible display of desert fireworks that you'll ever see in your life.  If you can withstand our heat and humidity during this time of year, you should come and check Tucson out.   It's one of the most beautiful things you'll ever see and you may even discover that rain "smells" courtesy of our creosote bush:)

Todays creature feature is the Carpenter Bee and the Orange Jubilee Esperanza Bush or the one with them orange bells:)  This is a Tucson winner for every gardener.  Plant in hot hot sun and it rarely requires watering once established.  Click on the link above for more info.  This post is from my Garden Series last year.  It's loved by butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and a big fat caterpillar known as the hornworm which then turns into the Sphinx moth....that is if the bats don't eat them first:)

I'm really excited to present the photos during these next 3 days.  I was able to get an iconic shot, but more on that later:)  We will get to revisit some garden favorites with our wildlife friends.  It doesn't get much better than this.  I feel like all the hard work in the garden is really paying off. Oh and why the title?  Because in my limited human mind that's how I imagine these flowers to taste....like Orange Sherbert on a hot summers day:)  More tomorrow.....

Spring Awakening

Texas Mountain Laurel and a Black Carpenter Bee

Spring started early for us here in the Old Pueblo.  Here is another photo shoot taken on February 23 in the desert focusing on our beautiful spring show. How do you know it's officially spring?  The Texas Mountain Laurel sets forth the early signs with purple fragrant blooms. This Carpenter Bee(so named because it can burrow in wood) enjoys the nectar.  The purple flowers smell like Grape Kool Aide!!  I miss my Lilacs from home, but this plant replaced that need with it's similiarly looking purple blooms and fragrance.

We also know spring has arrived when summer hummers join in with our nesting Anna's and Costa's Hummers.  I really looked stupid waiting for this above shot.  But I got the darn thing:)

Bugs also indicate that summer is just around the corner.  I found this Pipevine Swallowtail hiding.  It appeared to have just come out of hibernation as the wings looked freshly unfolded.  The color is off because it was in the shade.  These rare beauties shimmer blue in the hot summer sun.  Count yourself lucky if you find one:)

And ohhh.....let's not forget our cacti friends.  The first signs of the cacti blooms happened this year to show up on the Pincushion Cactus.  Small delicate flowers on this personal favorite of mine:)  I'll have more cacti flowers for you coming up....

And then there are the wildflowers.  First the African Daisies, then the California Poppies, followed by the Globe Mallow, then the Desert Lupine....and so on and so forth.  The yellows and oranges appear first followed by the pinks of Parry's Penstemon, the whites of the desert Primrose and the dark blues of the California Bluebells.

The yellows of sunset as a bee gets a fill to bring back to the hive.....

And for my birding friends....well, check out this Sparrow calling from the Saguaro Cactus.  It's nesting time for a lot of desert birds.....several of which use the Saguaro cactus as their home and nest:)

So long you days of winter.  Your darkness lifts and the days become longer, warmer, and signal a change. Welcome!