Linda Harrison-Parsons, working artist: Sunny Yellows Make Orange

Yesterday, Rick and I took a early walk around the Desert Botanical Gardens. A very nice way to start the day. We have been back east with cooler spring temperatures. Even with those cool temp's there are trees blooming, flowers are popping up looking for that sunny day. Here in AZ it is warming up quickly, spring flows right into summer sooner then back east.

Yellow - a main character in the trees and flowers of the Southwest. Last year the poppies came out because we had lovely rain in the winter. This year, not much rain, so we shall see what wild flowers will be doing over the next month. The saguaro cactus is even starting to bloom. The one in our backyard is filled with buds. The birds and bees are very happy.

The prickly pear cactus at DBG are blooming, they vary in color from yellow, yellow-orange, pink and purple tones. The Adenium multiforum, a desert rose, is blooming too, they are usually on the red-pink coloration but I saw one called "Sabi Star" oh my, it is variegated with red and white patterns. Plus, Sabi, reminds me of Africa. This plant originates from Africa. It does well in the desert but does not like temperatures below freezing. We have a small one in our garden and this year it too has flowers.

While at the gardens we were in hopes of seeing some of the owls that make it their home. No luck, but did see some interesting cactus references that I can use to do a painting from and add a little owl from other photo references. If you like bird art coming next weekend I will be up in Cottonwood, AZ doing the Verde Valley Birding Festival. The art show is Saturday from 10-5 at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. I am sharing the space with fellow artist Gary Binder. He won this years competition and his image is being used in all the PR for the event.

Here are a few photos from yesterdays walk through the gardens. You can find more photos on my FB page. http://www.facebook.com/LindaWildlifeArtist