Sonoran Desert Super Bloom
Sonoran Desert Super Bloom
This year we had so much rain here in the desert, it’s created a Sonoran Desert Super Bloom. I am seeing flowers at our spot here near Quartzsite, that I have never seen before. And just the sheer numbers of flowers, is mind boggling. Plus it’s so green, it hardly seems like the desert this year.
Hillsides are carpeted with purple flowers. Usually we have a few purple flowers, but never have the hillsides just been covered like they are right now.
The majority of the purple flowers on the hillsides are scorpion weed, which I have to say are very pretty, but they smell horrible.
The desert chicory are far more prolific than I’ve seen in years past. They are all over the place this year.
A new white flower this year is the Stevens pincushion. They are small, but they are covering the ground everywhere.
These are called Brown eyes.
These next 3 flowers are new for me this year, and I have no idea what they are. I have looked at every website for images of them, and have come up empty. They are all just tiny, and so delicate.
These tiny purple flowers are on a small bush called a California Fagonbush.
Dainty Desert Hideseed. These purple flowers are super tiny and are growing in the shade of rock outcroppings. Both of these purple flowers are new for me this year.
Pygmy desert poppy.
Desert rock daisy.
I saw these next two flowers a couple of years ago, but only one or two here and there. This year, they are thick in certain areas. They are a particular favorite of mine. See how translucent they are, impossibly delicate.
Ghost flower.
Sand Blazing Star.
Brittle brush is always common, but always beautiful.
The cactus seem to be behind a little bit however. December, and January were so wet and cold I think it set them back some. The ocotillo are usually all in full bloom by this time, but this is the only one in the whole area that has a flower.
The beavertail cactus are just getting their bloom on good. They are such a vibrant color.
The resilience of all these seemingly delicate flowers is a true testament to survival, even in these harsh conditions.
We are taking time right now for Al to get feeling 100%. He is still having odd symptoms, and we want to make sure he is well enough to travel, and drive the RV before we start heading north. We anticipate we will be heading out in the next couple days however, he is feeling better everyday. Thanks so much for all the well wishes, good thoughts, and prayers sent our way last week.
These desert blooms are so refreshing to look at!! I am so tired of looking at grey and dreariness…I could scream! Heading south soon and cannot wait!!
I’m glad you’re heading to a warmer, and more colorful place soon. Gray days can only go so far.
that is beautiful… hard to believe that it is a desert… and I love the cacti …our never bloomed, although we have it since nearly 20 years…
It is hard to believe it’s the desert this year. Cactus like being wild and free, I’ve decided. I have a couple of them, and one flowered one time last year.
Hello, beautiful collection of desert blooms. The cacti bloom is lovely. I love the hillside of purple. Lovely images, enjoy your day!
Thanks so much!
Oh Mary, that first “unknown” flower to you, could that be a wild form of AJUGA? The leaves here look very similar to the Ajuga I’ve had and seen! And the flower is purple.
OH THE HILLS are alive with flowers out there! And we are getting snow. Oh well, we were spoiled with a fake spring but next month, we will truly be inching our way to better days.
Great shots!
I hope you get real spring soon. I have no idea on the flower, sadly. I think I will email it it to one of the flower sites.
You only get one shot at your health, so take it slow. Hope Al is back to normal soon. Who decided what is weed and what is flower? Ever wondered that? The smelly purple weeds are absolutely beautiful with their ornate look, but then again, many weeds do look fancy.
One thing a health scare teaches you, is that. And yes, I have wondered many, many times who decides between weeds, and flowers. I hear people saying all the time, I have this, or that weed in my yard, but they are pretty and I like them.
How beautiful! I would never expect to see all of that color in the desert. Glad to hear Al is getting better, even if slowly, and hope you can get back on the road soon.
It is an amazing year this year, so un-desert like. I’m not in a huge hurry to get on the road, loving my flowers right now.
Hope Al is doing great. I looked at his site and the fantastic art he produces. Have you guys been to the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia? Its fantastic.
Lloyd
Thank you, and no we haven’t been there. I bet it’s a good one though.
Oh man – what a bloom! You are so lucky to be there to see it! I sure hope that Al is continuing to improve. It seems like a great spot for recuperation.