Colors in Arizona

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Nature. Light and shadow. Ridges. Crevices. Orange. Red. Color! A Native American guide. A hike. Arizona in May. Someone in the family was so fortunate! God's beauty.

A Spring in the Desert

 

Behold, I am doing a new thing; 
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? 
I will make a way in the wilderness 
and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19, ESV

Jordan Canyon Spring ~ Arizona

Of Prickly Pears. . .

Winter in the desert is beautiful.  Although it is the season of rest, the first of February is when life again takes hold and signs of fresh, new life can be seen.  This year, abundant water has left washes and creeks flowing with water.  Water, mixed with the sunshine's warmth has caused signs of life that are not as visible in drier years.  Cacti are plump and enticing because of the moisture available to them.  The teddy bear cacti is especially appealing.  Dry ocatilla  is starting to leaf out, creating long sticks of green leaves.  The prickly pear cactus, so common, is beautiful in large clumps and clusters in the desert.  The desert rain has brought everything to life!

The prickly pear cactus in this picture reminds me of cousin Della, who harvests its inexpensive and abundant fruit from the desert around her ranch-house kitchen.  The prickly pears range are the fruit of the plant, appearing in colors of yellow and red.  When cooked, the prickly pear fruit makes a beautiful, rosy juice that Della cooks into delicious jelly that she shares with those she loves.  I always love it when she shares with our family!  Prickly pear juice also makes wonderful candy, soft and chewy.

Have you ever made prickly pear jelly?  Or eaten candy made from its rosy juice?

More Desert Beauty

I cannot resist posting a few more pictures of Tari's recent trip to Arizona and the desert southwest. From barren, flat spaces to boulders stacked high, much beauty can be found there. Cane cholla and saguaro cactus, petroglyphs, sandy washes filled with pebbles and colorful rocks and crystals, pools of water from a rainy winter, and caves and boulders at Cochise Stronghold; according to Tari, all were interesting to explore and appreciate. This is the time of year that the desert wakes up and blooms in abundance! Enjoy your armchair tour with me.

Photos copyrighted by Tari

Desert Wishes

My friend, Tari, just returned from a trip to Arizona and New Mexico last week. She shared her pictures with me and I especially like this one of her dog, Scarlet. The mountains, the rock, the cactus, the tall Saguaro, and the spiny and spiky landscape are so appealing to me! This was taken at the home of Tari's aunt and uncle. Maybe that's why it brings such an emotional response from me, as their home is not far the home of our Grandmother and of our Great-Uncle's ranch. Wishing I was there, but being here instead. . .I have a touch of wanderlust! Trying to be content in all things today. . .

Photo copyrighted by Tari