I’ve been watching the progress of spring in the desert, in and around Scottsdale, AZ. Unusually heavy rains during the winter have left the Sonoran Desert flush with greenery and the promise of a brilliant crop of wildflowers this year. The following photographs were taken in early April, perhaps a little early. I’m still looking for the broad expanse of desert covered with colour and I’m hopeful that patience will soon be rewarded.
This and the following photos were taken at the Spur Cross Ranch Recreation Area, near Cave Creek, AZ. The yellow flowers are known as Brittlebush, the red ones are called Desert Globemallow.
The iconic Saguaro cactus towers over the colourful ground cover in this picture. The purple flowers are Miniature Lupines; the white ones are White Easterbonnets.
The desert is very lush after this past winter’s rain. The shrubbery in the background gives the desert and the mountains a velvety look which will fade as summer comes and dries out the brush.
Some of the more colourful flowers can be found on the cactus. These flowers bloom early while others, notably the Saguaro cactus will bloom later in the spring.