flying saucer...

The desert is in bloom. I intended on sharing those photos today but no time to write much this morning. This is the queen of them all so for today, the post will be dedicated to our flying saucer cactus.

A couple of weeks ago, it looked like this.

I was sure I took a photo yesterday of the buds again but I guess not. This time of year, I spend more time with the roses and the iris. But this morning, I walked out front and found this.


The blooms are eight inches in diameter.

sacred datura...

The first sacred datura opened yesterday. Sacred datura is a desert perennial. It often opens at night and will be gone within the first few hours of sunlight. Yesterday, it lasted a bit longer. Sacred datura are poisonous so the many critters who love to eat anything around here will leave these alone. The blossoms are about eight inches tall and six inches across.

This is an unopened bud.
Their shape makes me pull out my camera every time.

There is so much beauty to be found in the Sonoran desert.

the ocotillos are blooming...

a rose is a rose is a rose...

I am a flower lover but roses are not my favorites until they start blooming in my garden. Then I can't imagine loving another flower more. Whenever they are not blooming, I wonder why I don't use the space for something else. The April comes and I remember...
And the names! The names are so much fun. Yes, we enjoy dinner on the patio surrounded by Sexy Rexy, Barbra Streisand, McCartney (if they came out with a Lennon, Starr and Harrison, I would not be able to resist), Queen Elizabeth and Marilyn Monroe.

In case you would like a cup of tea with Marilyn, here you go:


Hope spring is finding you too!

shooting ladybugs...

Endlessly fascinating as they scurry about their work - so quick, so photogenic.

on the tip of a tulip petal
on the tip of a daffodil bud

This one is my favorite, two ladybugs underneath the petals of a white cosmos.

Hoping spring has found you too!

the desert blooms...

We have a garden, walled in the back. Every spring, I delight in the iris, lilies, roses, daffodils and whatever other treasures decide to make an appearance. I spend a lot of time there with my camera. Surrounding us is desert. It, too, has its own beauty in the spring. Most visitors, not familiar with the Sonoran Desert, are surprised at how lush and beautiful it can be. Trees of yellow (palo verde) and lavender (ironwood) catch my eye every single day. I never tire of it. Along with the blooms, we start to see some of the critters that have been hiding for part of the winter. Here is a glimpse but be reminded that despite my best efforts, I never really seem to capture its essence.

cholla blossoms

ocotillo blooms - The hummingbirds and even an oriole (on a migration path, I am sure) have been enjoying these.

desert marigolds

hedgehog cactus blossoms

Many lizards are out hibernation, looking for some sunshine. Their colors always surprise me.

The bunnies are finding more to eat these days. We see them all year round.

A white winged dove and Gila woodpecker sharing some saguaro blossoms with the bees. Doves and bats do most of the saguaro pollination.

This flying saucer cactus has huge blooms on it - about 8 inches in diameter.

This yellow prickly pear blossom will turn into fruit that the tortoises love. So do people.

Another prickly pear blossom, our version of a rose.

Ironwood blossoms are covering the trees. With the yellow palo verde (top picture) and the lavender ironwood, it sure looks like spring around here.

The doves are spending a lot of time near the saguaro flowers.

Another flying saucer flower. They don't last long but they are spectacular.

This was my favorite shot. I try and try to capture quail families. They are such a delight but they move so quickly, that my attempts haven't been very successful. This was Mother's Day morning, a delightful gift. Don't you love the little one on the right?

I love living among the saguaros.

Come see the fun at Seasonal Sundays, Your Sunday Best and Home Sweet Home.

al fresco...

We have two old mesquite trees on our property. They are beyond the wall of the backyard so we don't spend much time out there. M has always said that between the two big trees would be the perfect place to eat dinner. He was right. We moved a table back there and it just may stay.

The shade back there gives us a nice cool spot even as the temperature continues to climb.

We are lucky to have a lot of bougainvillea so I used it to give the table a bit of a pop.

The vintage silverplate is "Park Lane" by Oneida.

I like the look and feel of recycled glass.

Almost everything on this table is made in Mexico, a nod to Cinco de Mayo.

We will miss these al fresco days.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and Kathleen at Let's Dish. So many pretty tables!

Tricia asked about the plates. They are made in Mexico by Anfora. They were sold at Pottery Barn a couple of years ago as blue and white Puebla. Because they are handpainted, the design and color varies a bit from plate to plate. It is now directly available from Anfora.