California Desert In Bloom - "The Ocotillo" (#4 In A Series)
"I think the American West really attracts me because it's romantic. The desert, the empty space, the drama." - Ang Lee
My impressions of the desert?
The Anza Borrego Desert is empty, desolate. That such a hostile place contains plants at all is somewhat of a surprise.
Here are some more desert photos taken with my Canon EOS M.
Ocotillos
Original Work by @creatr
I've seen enough to know that these are "ocotillos."
Wikipedia has supplied me with the proper botanical name: Fouquieria splendens, a plant that grows throughout the desert in this part of the world.
The ocotillo is certainly a strange, spindly creature.
I would venture a guess that Dr. Seuss may have been inspired by looking at these plants. They provide a stark outline against the sky when situated on top of a ridge.
Ocotillos
Original Work by @creatr
Walking among the ocotillos is like being in a Dr. Seuss story.
They thrust upward from the desert floor, branches zigging and zagging at random intervals.
Ocotillos
Original Work by @creatr
During much of the year, ocotillos look like dead sticks.
If you look closely at this photo, you can see where leaves have fallen away leaving only the appearance of a grey stick. It may help to "right-click" on the image below, "open in new window," and zoom in for a closer look.
Bare Ocotillo
Original Work by @creatr
Not many ocotillos were in blossom.
Here is one that was; unfortunately, this image is slightly out of focus. If you zoom in, you may get some idea of what the red ocotillo blossom looks like.
Ocotillo Blossoms
Original Work by @creatr
Here's a lovely photo,
courtesy of Wikipedia, that shows the brilliant red blossoms much more clearly.
Ocotillo Blossoms
By DiverDave (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
I hope to post some more desert wildflower photos as I am able to identify them.
You can check out other posts in this series here:
Brittle Bush
Bigelow’s Monkeyflower
The Ocotillo
Purple Tansy
~FIN~
You are why I'm here on Steemit!
I have very eclectic interests and hope, over time, to write about them all.
⬇️To Check Out @creatr's World⬇️CLICK Each Image Below⬇️
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Hey creatr,
You're a technical guy - my follower button has disappeared - any idea what that's all about?
I noticed it when I was trying to mute a pornographer the other day...yeah, these things I do, lol - but any ideas?
hmm...
it seems to be back as soon as I told you. I think that's a real coincidence...
no conspiracy theory, but that's seriously weird
hmmm... I see I'm quite late to the party...
Glad to hear that your problem seems to have disappeared! ;)
I doubt you've ever been late to a party - sometimes I think I'm developmentally delayed, esp. re: technology
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Thanks again!
Very nice. The desert here in SE NM is just starting to bloom. Looking to going on a hike and take it all in.
Thanks very much for stopping in to comment! Have a wonderful hike!
I have a Christmas cactus that flowers 4 times a year and needs very little water - same with an aloe vera plant that is as large as those Ocotillos - the rest of the desert is inside me ;)
Where do you go for water when you're internally dry, my friend?
I keep hearing about these Christmas cacti - Now I need to go out and find one! However, I've never heard of an aloe plant that large... Wow!
it's not spiritual dryness - a man can be in his truth and still experience a lack or denudation - it's called existential angst and is part of the human condition - some call other names, but no dark night of the soul :)
oh i love their flowers :)
I'm so glad you like them, @immarojas! Thanks for stopping to comment! ;)
You're welcome! More of those then ;)
Very good shots dear friend @creatr, beautiful images congratulations
Thank you, @jlufer, for stopping by and commenting! I hope all is well with you and your family!
The Ocotillos are strangely beautiful, especially when in full bloom-- looks like the branches are occupied by some kind of strange bright red birds. We used to spend quite a bit of time in the high desert around Joshua Tree and up towards Arizona... despite its seeming desolation, the desert is remarkably full of life.
Yes, there is a lot of strange beauty in the desert. I think I could live there, at least at times. Thanks for commenting! :)
nice nature pictures!
Thanks very much, my friend! :)