Unique Flora in Phoenix

My escape to Phoenix was a good long weekend trip. I was too early for “the desert in bloom,” as the Sonoran springtime burst of color is called, but did manage to capture some color at my friends’ house.

Don’t ask me what any of these plants are. Exotic is about all I can say.

I also don’t know many people whose front yards look like this. It ain’t Kentucky bluegrass.

If I were to name that one, I’d invoke Medusa.

I liked the spring growth on this one. These cacti survive the long summers to drink in the winter rains for the vernal growth spurt.

Their yard has hidden sprinklers, and I like the flower pots. Non-native plants, but given the rainfall patterns, these are unlikely to take over much of the terrain.  😉

While I’m stumped by the plant life, I can tell you that little guy is a curve-billed thrasher. Early-riser than I am, I did enjoy all the birds singing in the mornings.

If I were to name that one, it might involve a rude gesture.

While a lot wasn’t blooming yet, the buds promised a burst of color on the way.

I also greatly enjoyed my friends’ back porch. I’d visited once before, and assumed I could get by with shorts and t-shirts most of the time, so I was a bit surprised by the cool of the mornings. When I got up around dawn and padded around barefoot, my feet got cold! I found myself reaching for the jeans and shoes. By mid-morning it was fine, and I enjoyed hanging out back here.

Here are Sophie and Cisco, two of my hanging out pals. Cisco (top) was the brains of the operation, and led all canine charges around the house. Sophie (facing camera) was always available for a tummy rub. I’ve never met a dog with a quicker reflex to roll over on her back, paws in the air, and welcome a petting. Sweet dogs!

The evening sun reddens Camelback mountain.

We had a good time cruising around eastern Phoenix and Scottsdale. This is called Hole-in-the-rock, for obvious reasons. you can walk up and into the holes, which afford a decent view of southern Phoenix. I had no idea how big Phoenix had grown. It’s the 12th largest metro area in the country now, and it’s become the 5th largest city.

I was there at the end of spring training, and enjoyed seeing my Giants play several games, they should contend this year. I also had a chance to hear Amy Walter speak (a pollster often interviewed on the PBS Newshour), but mostly had a great time relaxing and hanging out with old friends.

I’ll never call the desert home (I need more water and foliage), but it is a great place to visit, especially if you’ve had enough of precipitation and cold!

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