Cactus in a creek

Just kidding!  It’s a reflection of a cactus in the creek turned upside down so it looks like the saguaro is in the water.

See more Weekend Reflections hosted by James at Newtown Area Photo.

Spring is in the air

The bluebirds might have gone but some waxwings linger.  Wildflowers bloom here and there under nurturing clouds.

Visit Skywatch Friday to enjoy more skies from around the world.

Where am I?

This is a multiple choice question. Where were these pictures taken?

a. California
b. Arizona
c. Wisconsin
d. Massachusetts

 
 


If you guessed Arizona, you’re right!  That cactus was a big hint.  But the robins, rainwater, and green grass look like they could be in one of those other places listed.  I’m enjoying this wet wildness while it lasts.

Spring is here

Look who has emerged from his den:

 

warm sun shines
on tortoise with grass stained lips    
fullness of spring

In this corner of the Sonoran desert, besides tortoises, ground squirrels are awake from their long winter naps.  Even though abundant mistletoe berries remain, Cedar Waxwings and Western Bluebirds seem to have left this area.  Robins can still be heard chattering while White-winged doves are arriving from Mexico.  For weeks, Cactus wrens and Cooper’s hawks have been building nests.  Trees, shrubs, cacti and grasses are spring green and some wildflowers are blooming.

Reflections of the garden center

Last week I popped into the nursery for some flower seeds.

I noticed reflections in a puddle of water and realized this might be the last time this area sees rain until the summer monsoon season.

Here’s the same puddle from the other direction. 

The nursery kitty was so friendly, it was hard to get its picture as it kept walking towards me.  I made a little collage of the cat and some flowers and used the reflection effect on Windows Live Writer.

For more fun with reflections, visit James’ Newtown Area Photo.

SWF - Nice day for a walk

I just got back from my morning walk.  I was kind of looking for wildflowers. 

Although there were not many blooming things to see, there were lots of green things

and singing things with wings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I turned around when I got to the bridge because I didn’t feel like getting my feet wet.

On the way back I saw this group of young people on their way into the canyon.  They looked prepared to stay a while as they carried backpacks and musical instruments.  The weather forecast for this area is: Abundant sunshine. Warm.  

See what the sky looks like in other parts of the world at Skywatch Friday, hosted by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, and Sylvia.

Going with the flow…

Yes, sometimes water even flows in the desert!  On this short walk we follow the water as it meanders along Rattlesnake Canyon, joins with Sabino Creek, spills over the dam, and then branches off to a quieter pace.

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”  ~Lao Tzu

Shadow of Hope

Black Phoebe at a desert stream

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

by Emily Dickinson

If you enjoy shadow images, visit Hey Harriet for Shadow Shot Sunday here.

Macro Flower - Thimblehead

This part of the Sonoran Desert is greening up from recent rains, but no big wildflower displays are found yet.  I did see this yellow flowering plant growing in the wild.  The flowers are tiny but the color is sunny and cheerful.

TransPecos Thimblehead Hymenothrix wislizeni

Macro Flowers Saturday is a new photo meme for macro photos and close-ups of flowers, garden flowers, wildflowers, blossoms, flowers with insects and butterflies (no insects without flowers), flowers with raindrops and whatever beautiful plants, plant seeds or berries you have, in close-up.  Click here to visit Maia’s beautiful macro flowers meme.

Reflections of Robins and Waxwings

 

Early one morning, I spotted these robins and cedar waxwings enjoying quick sips from a puddle of rainwater.

See more Weekend Reflections at James’ Newtown Area Photo here.

Skywatch – yes is a world

 

love is a place
& through this place of
love move
(with brightness of peace)
all places

yes is a world
& in this world of
yes live
(skillfully curled)
all worlds

~e.e. cummings

 

 

For more sky views from around the world visit Skywatch Friday here.

Bird Whisperer

A tram driver/tour guide at Sabino Canyon has the birds eating out of his hand.  One at a time, cactus wrens, cardinals and pyrrhuloxias will take bits of cashew nuts from his open hand.

cactus wren
cardinal
                                 pyrrhuloxia
I’ve never handfed a wild bird myself, have you?

Shadow Play – Picnic Tables

Viewing table shadows one way, they might look like giant marching creatures:

But from the other side, the shadows are harmless toy trucks:

For more fun with shadows visit Hey Harriet hosted by Tracy.

Reflections – Sitting quietly…

Sitting quietly, doing nothing,
Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.
~ Zen saying

For more Weekend Reflections visit at James at Newtown Area Photo here.

Looking at Fog

Early Monday morning, Tucson had some fog for a change:

“Derive happiness in oneself from a good day's work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us.”  ~Henri Matisse

“Do not worry if you have built your castles in the air. They are where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”  ~Henry David Thoreau

Visit more skies from around the world, at Skywatch Friday here. Thanks to Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia for hosting this fun meme.

Cactus Picnic Area – Snapshots