Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Yellow and Green

While many trees haven't seemed to recover from the deep freeze last month, and native grasses and wildflowers did not make an appearance yet, this rangy shrub stands out because of its springlike coloring.




A member of the Mormon-tea family, Ephedraceae, this plant has long green stems with tiny brown cones and yellow flowers.




Small birds such as this verdin are attracted to it,


and deer nibble on it.


Spring seems to be coming later than usual to this corner of the desert, but it is coming, and it's exciting to see new signs each day.


No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.  ~Guinean Proverb
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33 comments:

  1. angryparsnipMarch 23, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    Wonderful photos today !
    I love the way you always seem to see such great wildlife. Do you walk around Sabino Canyon ?

    I was very surprised when saw some pink wildflowers a few days ago by Craycoft.
    I'm going to drive back and bring my camera and see if they are still there.

    cheers, parsnip

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  2. Betty ManousosMarch 23, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    thanks for these gems!!
    oh my word, these are stunning photograpgs!!
    what a great start to the day.

    thanks, dianne!

    spring spung already.

    b xx

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  3. ThérèseMarch 23, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    I like the "mesh effect" of your first picture!
    I am glad to learn about the Ephedraceae whose name I have been looking for for a while now...

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  4. GaelynMarch 23, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Not sure I've spotted the cone and flower on the Mormon tea. Will be looking for them.

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  5. cieldequimperMarch 23, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    A good lesson today. Fantastic. That little bird is such a cutie!

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  6. UnknownMarch 23, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Spring is catching up quickly.
    Beautiful photographs.
    Cosats

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  7. BarbMarch 23, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    It reminds me a bit of forsythia. I love the bird and deer checking it out, too!

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  8. LoreeMarch 23, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Beautiful close-up shots.

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  9. DoanLegacyMarch 23, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    What a wonderful post! Love the flowers, bird and the deer..

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  10. DawnMarch 23, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    Love how you caught that wee bird in the stems of it all!
    Like your quote on spring:)

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  11. DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVEMarch 23, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    What a wonderful photos! I liked them very much!

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  12. MagpieMarch 23, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Yes, spring is sure to follow winter...please always. I love the little Verdin. I call them "little pippy birds".

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  13. tracyMarch 23, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Oh, man, remember how we were all salivating over the beautiful Spring we had last year?

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  14. StephanieMarch 23, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    These yellow bush brightens up your desert. Perhaps they are cheering for spring ;-)

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  15. AllisonMarch 24, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    That last pictures is just dreamy! I'm thinking... where are my western love-story novels? :)

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  16. rainfield61March 24, 2011 at 4:00 AM

    I like the colour, but it never seems like the color of spring.

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  17. RohrerbotMarch 24, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    It's finally here and I am glad. Now that I've done all the severe pruning our place doesn't look so nice but I see new buds and know it's gonna look great this summer. I love all the wildlife around you. I love the mule deer shot.

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  18. MagpieMarch 24, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Diane, you so deserve this Stylish Blogger Award. Your blog is wonderful.
    http://inovermyhead-magpie.blogspot.com/

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  19. Martha ZMarch 24, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    You are a careful observer of the natural world, Diane.

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  20. ClytieMarch 24, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    I love that cute little verdin bird ... and the deer ... and the feeling of imminent spring!

    Spring is late here too. Sigh. Soon???

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  21. Kenneth LarssonMarch 24, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Very nice shots! Thanks for sharing them with us!

    Have a nice day! :-)

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  22. •°°• IcyBC •°°•March 24, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Love that shrubs with little yellow flowers! The bird and the deer at a touch to a wonderful wild life in your area..

    Spring is surely slow this year for us too.

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  23. DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVEMarch 25, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Beautiful colors!

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  24. EG CameraGirlMarch 26, 2011 at 5:36 AM

    The desert is so pretty right now!

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  25. DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVEMarch 26, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    I agree with EG Wow...

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  26. LindyMarch 26, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Lovely, as always.

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  27. AnyaMarch 27, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Very fantastic shots :-)
    All puurfect !!!!

    Enjoy your sunday :)

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  28. betchaiMarch 27, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    oh, beautiful shots Diane, whether it does not look spring like yet.

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  29. HeidiMarch 28, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Diane,
    Your pics are so beautiful. The desert is an amazing place. Have a great week!

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  30. DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVEMarch 28, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Beautiful post!

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  31. Candice Suter.....SweetstuffMarch 28, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    Beautiful shots and love those macros! Love that little bird and the yellow in the brush is great!

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  32. SquirrelQueenMarch 29, 2011 at 1:13 AM

    Spring is running late this year so even touches of color are appreciated. Beautiful photos.

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  33. DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVEMarch 29, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    I agree with all these comments...

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