Spring in the Mojave Desert

This diminutive plant has a wonderful flower. This is Lilac Sunbonnet Langloisia setosissima. The whole plant is about 2 inches tall. Check out the blue pollen.

Climbing milkweed, Sarcostemma cyanchoidies, is an important host plant for the larvae of butterflies. Notice the tendrils it uses to cling to other plants for support.

Desert Five Spot. Eremalche rotundifloria. How about that? A scientific name that is very logical. Rotundifloria, round flower. These flowers look like little domes until just before they wilt, then they open up to show off their spots.

Hey, that's no flower! This rattle snake was snoozing in the shade of a creosote shrub until we rudely walked by and disturbed it.

One of the best things about camping is seeing the sunrise.

The clouds were beautiful on Saturday.

A rainbow cloud

Spring in the Mojave Desert

I've just returned from about a week in the Mojave Desert. Since we had some rain this year, the desert is blooming, especially in the lower elevations and on the warmer south facing slopes. 

Lupine in bloom in Joshua Tree National Park

One of the rare pollinators I spotted. While there are billions of blooms, I didn't see even dozens of pollinators. Where are they all? 

The view from Amboy Crater