Spring in the Southwest

I've been ambling around the southwest lately.  Spring's the best season.  Weather is warm but not too hot, and the desert blooms.  On occasion a little rain or wind adds interest.  In Joshua Tree NP the rocks loom against a cloud dappled sky.

The boulders of Joshua Tree, exposed and split by erosion over the millennia, are always scenic and surrealistic.

Southeastern CA and southwestern AZ have not had a surplus of rain in recent months, but light rains have fallen regularly...every two or three weeks since December.  This has produced a decent spring bloom.  The paloverdes in particular are showy.

A barrel cactus is crowned by a tiara of blooms.

The Lizards are in their natural habitat.  Here they're hangin' in one of their fav spots...White Tank Mountain Regional Park, west of Phoenix.

Saguaros tower against a stormy sky to the north.

Saguaro spines up close.

Flowers and long spines adorn a fishhook barrel.  Blow up the pic for a better look at the barbs.

Four species of cactus are prominent in this pic...hedgehog up front, then cholla, barrel, and saguaro cacti.  Also a blooming paloverde on the right.

Blooming saguaro arms tower with rain clouds in the background.

Saguaros rise majestically with billowing clouds rising far to the north.

A fine prickly pear blossom.

I visited Prescott, Arizona early this week.  I'd passed through the city several times but had never stopped.  Turns out it's cool!  There are many fine restaurants and bars.  Ate too much, drank too much...I'll be back!  This is the Elks building, built about 1902.  The elk on top is an original fixture that was removed a few decades ago, then restored to its rightful place only in 2013.

The Yavapai county courthouse in the central plaza of Prescott.  Central plazas are always nice.  There are good ones in Healdsburg and Sonoma in the Cali wine country.  Santa Fe and Paso Robles also have fine plazas...and so does Prescott.

Another view of downtown Prescott from the plaza.  Most buildings date from the early 20th century...a fire in 1900 destroyed four blocks in the central city.

This pic was taken in Sun City West.  The cactus is an Argentine giant...native to that country.  The flower is at least six inches in diameter.  Couldn't find a cactus with lots of flowers blooming but they are spectacular.