DesertBlog

Desert Bloom Still Going

UPDATE

Here are a few flower photos Gidon Singer took on his hike from the Lagunas to Scissors Crossing, on his way to the May 12 Sunrise Powerlink hearings in Borrego Springs. And it’s not just flowers that are out this time of year. Can you spot the horned lizard?

We’ll have to get a Flickr account for DesertBlog to make posting photos easier. Meanwhile, enjoy these.

The annual wildflower bloom is about over in the desert, but other desert plants, especially cacti and trees, are taking their place in the yearly desert flower relay. Some of the showiest flowers are still on their way.

On May 12, this desert agave was just starting to bloom on a ridge above Hellhole Canyon near Borrego Springs.

Here’s a better photo of an agave blooming in the California desert. Some slopes with good clusters of agaves will be covered with these tall, yellow-capped stalks.

 (photo courtesy Wildflower Center Digital Library)

Other late spring to early summer bloomers include prickly pear and beavertail cactus, found on desert slopes, and desert willow, found in washes.

Later in the summer, willows and other small trees growing in washes will provide important forage for desert bighorn sheep.

(photo of desert willow blossom courtesy Wildflower Center Digital Library)

So, if you can stand the heat, it’s still a good time to enjoy the beauty and smell the aroma of these hardy desert plants, cacti and trees.

What’s blooming in your part of the desert? Leave a comment below.