“If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment.”

—	Georgia O’Keeffe We interrupt this trip down memory lane to bring you SPRING!

Ok, it's Phoenix, AZ....springtime is brief here and I can already feel summer nipping at her heels. Still, everything is in bloom and the desert is a beautiful place to be.

 This is from the rose bush directly outside my front door. It was already there when I moved in so now I just get to enjoy it. The roses are pale pink in the center and bright pink at the edges of the petals. Stepping out the door to roses in bloom is definitely a happy moment!

The poppies have been planted by a neighbor in an old stone fountain in the center of our courtyard. Every day I have to run outside to see if there are any new poppies blooming.

This one seems to have just woken up! I love the soft wrinkled petals, just opening up to the sun.

Of course, this post wouldn't be complete without cactus blooms! The prickly pears seem to be among the first cactus to bloom, with the saguaros following later.

Springtime also brings the butterfly exhibit to the Desert Botanical Garden. I've gone several times but got lucky enough this time to see these white peacock butterflies.

Last but not least, a weary traveler stops for a quick drink from the aloe blooms! This was not the most cooperative hummingbird so I was happy to land at least one decent photo.

© All photographs on this site are copyright Deanie Houghtaling, and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission.