A Bouquet of Daisies

I was taught never to pick wildflowers. So I have to enjoy my bouquets of daisies in the wild and in photos. There are few flowers that are as cheerful as these in their various forms and colors. Here is my gift to you today to cheer your heart and brighten your day.

White Canyon, Utah

White Canyon in south central Utah, is known for its natural bridges, Indian ruins and slot canyons. It is a maze of narrow channels ultimately emptying into the Colorado River. Part of the Canyon is located in Bridges National Monument. Wandering around Utah, you can find more places like this than you can visit in a lifetime. I know, I have spent mine mostly in Arizona and Utah going to places like this.

Sanitized

We live a sanitized existence in our modern world. Advertisements with graphics of all kinds carefully avoid showing anything that might offend. All the people are perfect and all the flowers are too. In real life, this is not the case as can be seen from this photo of a Sego Lily blossom. If I were selling something, I would have taken the time to Photoshop out all of the bugs, like this:

Aphids

Ooh, gross. During the years I was actively gardening, aphids were the enemy. Some plants, like roses, brussels sprouts and cabbage were often ruined. Out in the wild, there is no one to fight the aphids so they can enjoy their meal of plant juice. Sometimes we need be reminded that everything in the world has its place.

Natural Abstract

When I was heavily involved in art, as an art major at the university, I enjoyed all of the fantastic variety of works that had been created throughout history. I even appreciated abstract art and the so-called modern art. I particularly like Mondrian, Klee and other artists. What I have found in nature is that many of the forms verge on the abstract, especially when viewed close up and without the context of their surroundings. It is interesting to go look for these abstract moments in nature.

Sotol

This isn't a yucca plant, nor is it an agave and it isn't a cactus. It does fall in the overall category of succulents, but it is a tough desert dweller that has a variety of uses. The teeth along the perimeter of the leaves are very sharp but not so large as to cause many problems. Sotol are more common to the east and south of the Salt River Valley, but they can be found in a variety of locations around the state. Unlike agave and yucca, sotols are not a favorite landscape plant in Arizona. I like their form and color.

Crested Barrel Cactus

The Carefree Desert Garden in Arizona is a treasure house of rare cactus variations. Cresting is an extremely rare condition and this is the first and only crested barrel cactus I have seen in my lifetime of walking through the desert. Normally, the cactus would look like this:

Quite a difference!