I walk just about every day of the year, and it’s usually a long walk. It’s a great way to exercise, and it gives me the opportunity to “Stop and Smell the Roses” as Mac Davis sang in his 1974 hit song. We don’t have too many native roses in the greater Pinnacle Peak area, but the desert does come alive every spring with beautiful blossoms that are just as magnificent as any rose.
The following photographs are of blooms and other flora that I found on my morning walks during the last few weeks. Some are native plants, others planted. But, all of them paint the desert landscape with their colorful flowers. Many of us don’t have the time to pause and see these plants close up as we hit the road on our way to work, drop off the kids or do the shopping. Life is hectic and time is precious.
However, I urge everyone to take a walk before summer broils the landscape, and stop along the way to enjoy the beauty of your desert. If you can’t do that, I hope these photographs will give you an idea of the natural beauty that would be right before your eyes. And, for those of you who may not be old enough to remember Mac Davis’ lyrics, here’s a little inspiration from the opening verse of his song:
“Hey Mister, where you going in such a hurry
Don’t you think it’s time you realized
There’s a whole lot more to life than work and worry
All the sweetest things in life are free
And they’re right before your eyes.”
Orange Tree by Tom Mangelsdorf
Desert Silverpuff by Tom Mangelsdorf
Desert Fairy Duster by Tom Mangelsdorf
Brittlebush by Tom Mangelsdorf
Yellow Bird of Paradise by Tom Mangelsdorf
Creosote Bush by Tom Mangelsdorf
Texas Thistle by Tom Mangelsdorf
Buckhorn Cholla by Tom Mangelsdorf
Argentina Cactus by Tom Mangelsdorf
Mesquite Tree by Tom Mangelsdorf
Purple Prickly Pear by Tom Mangelsdorf
Saguaro by Tom Mangelsdorf
Related Websites
April 25, 2016
Stunning photos of the flowers – how did you get the black background – very dramatic.
May 1, 2016
Hi Patricia…
Thanks for the kind words on my photographs. The black background was achieved in several ways. On some of the small flowers, I clipped them and then I simply set up in my living room with a black sheet in the background. The light was from a nearby window and I used some fill provided by some white foamcore to bring out the shadows. On others, I used the black side of my automobile sun reflector and placed it behind the flower. On others, I used natural shadows which fell behind the flowers.
Thanks again.
Tom