Wild Flowers

Even with this on going drought this year, there were still some wild flowers that managed to make an appearance.  Most of these, of course, were found in a canyon that has water in it most of the year so the affect of the drought wasn't quite so severe there.  On years that we get a wet winter and spring though, the entire desert seems to bloom-maybe that will be the case this next spring.

   This is Lupin.  Most common color is purple and shades of purple. The butterfly's really like this one and its something that you can easily grow in your own yard.

  Indian paintbrush.  Very bright red or sometimes orange bundles of flowers.  All sorts of insects seem to like it.

   I think these were Lupin also coming up between the rocks.

  Honestly don't remember what this one was but I do believe they turn out to be some sort of berry later on in the year.

  These bushes are elderberry full of blooms.  I keep telling myself that I'm going to come up and pick the berries later to make jam but that has yet to happen-maybe this next year.

  Amazing where they start to pop up and if your not looking for them they are easy to miss.  Such delicate looking little blooms!

 These are a common little flower found out in the more 'desert' areas, in this case, up where we were going to be cutting firewood in April.  As you can see the grass is already very dry-not much for new growth.  After a couple good wet winters and springs, these flowers are everywhere up here along with many others that I wasn't able to find this time.

Another common flower that I have seen frequently up where we cut wood at. Not sure of its name but it makes me think of sunshine!! 

" As for man, his days are like the grass-he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over it, it vanishes, and its place is no longer known.  But from eternity to eternity the Lord's faithful love is toward those who fear Him, and His righteousness toward the grandchildren of those who keep His covenant, who remember to observe His instructions. The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all."   Psalm 103:15-19