Hedgehog cactus flower
It's really spring in the Sonoran Desert. The flush of wildflower bloom is over now, but the perennial plants, trees, shrubs and cacti are just entering into their full glory. The blue palo verdes are covered in yellow, the brittlebush is blooming, as are the desert mallow and fleabane daisies. The hedgehog cacti, with brilliant large magenta flowers, are just beginning to open. We're having a spell of wonderful cool weather right now, with nights in the 40's and days in the 70's. It's great to be alive!
My yard is brimming with color as well. The primrose jasmine, citrus trees, mescal bean bush (above general view and closeup of native bee in flower,
Sophora secundiflora), red fairy duster, silvery-leaf cassia, Western redbud, and Chinese tamarix are all in flower, and the air is fragrant with mingled perfumes. The roses are in heavy bud, and since I mostly grow fragrant varieties, in a couple weeks we'll have new scents in the air. Hummingbirds are nesting, doves are mating, and there are many kinds of butterflies visiting flowers and laying eggs. There's lots to see and lots to photograph, so I'm not spending much time blogging. I'd rather be outside.
Here are some photos of critters I've found in my yard recently. The moth photos show the Lined Morning Sphinx, Celerio lineata. The larvae resemble the familiar tomato hornworm. The hindwing reveals a pink color when wings are open. Often people mistake this diurnal moth for a "baby hummingbird" since it hovers in front of flowers to collect nectar through its long tongue.
