Wednesday, March 06, 2019

February in the Desert Botanical Garden


Denis and I did manage to sneak in a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden the day before the monster storm came to Arizona and broke all those long-standing records. It was a day that wasn't filled with colorful blooms, but one that was filled with the promise of them. The Garden was heaving with people soaking up the sun before another storm hit, and it was fun to answer some of the visitors' questions when a docent wasn't around. Let's take a look at what I found.


See the "ripples" running up and down that columnar cactus to the right? That's one way you can tell it's been storing plenty of water.

Agave and cholla. Don't trip and fall in here. Ouch!

I haven't seen this saguaro look this fat and sassy in years! The "pleats" running vertically on its trunk expand and contract with the volume of water it takes in.

The Honeymoon Suite at the Saguaro Hotel. See it?

It was a thrill to see the cacti so happy. (Yes, I'm strange.)

Bee gathering pollen.

Spring is...

...definitely on its way.

One of the many paths to wander.

Variegated agaves and small barrel cacti.

Mountain Laurel

I love these succulents hanging down over the tile work.

The play of the sun on plants and tiles.

Crested Bunny Ears Pricklypear. I don't see the bunny ears. Do you?

The breeze kept ruffling this cactus wren's feathers.

Some of the oldest plants in the Garden can be found here.

A flower made for the sun.

Look at all those flower buds!

These aloe bloom stalks blend in with the canopy, don't they?

Last but not least, Denis got this great shot of a young roadrunner who stopped by to visit us at the Patio Cafe.


I'm looking forward to going back when all those flower buds start to open!


10 comments:

  1. What gorgeous 'photos, Cathy! I'm so glad you and Denis had the chance for a visit to the gardens. It's all lovely. That cactus wren is an especially interesting little guy.

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    1. Those cactus wrens will either pose for long periods of time or fly off every time you aim your camera. But I love 'em!

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  2. I always love your pictures of the botanical garden. Didn't know that about the cactus - the ripples meaning plenty of water. Bluebonnets are starting to be seen around here. We're told there will be a bumper crop of wildflowers this season. Yay!

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  3. What a wonderful place to visit. Your pictures are gorgeous.

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  4. These are just beautiful photos. I admit that I have been awaiting another trip to the Desert Botanical Gardens, knowing you'd post great photos.

    Am looking at gray skies and streets here, waiting for spring.

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    1. Been there. Done that. Moved to Arizona. (But I do feel your cabin fever.)

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  5. I've got some plants, including a new flowering one in my living room. And I can't wait for the blooming trees on my block, despite the allergies they bring, and the sound of robins and other birds early in the morning chirping, squawking, etc. on the rooftops. Love it. But flowering plants will have to do for now.
    So I enjoy those photos. Wonder if cactus flowers bring sniffles and runny eyes.

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    1. Since I have to be careful of such things as pollen overload, I must admit that I've never had sniffles, sneezes, or runny eyes around profusely blooming cacti. They must have a different sort of pollen.

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