The desert’s beauty suggests patience and struggle and endurance. Even in the brightest colors of its brief spring flowers, there is something austere. ~ from The Desert Year by Joseph Wood Krutch
Most of the desert flowers are mere specks on the ground. If there are dozens of them, the color is fairly noticeable, but if there are only two or three quarter-inch blossoms sprawling against a bit of green leaf and a lot of gravelly desert floor, it takes some careful observations to see those pretty little things. Of course, in the desert, the smaller, the better chance at survival. A flower, or leaf on a shrub for that matter, that is minute requires considerably less moisture for survival than a flower or leaf a hundred times that size. Adaptation of the species, as we know it.
Notice how present a flower is, how it has surrendered to life. ~ Eckhart Tolle
Of course, the cacti and the succulents found in the desert have a totally different way to guarantee a flowering season, necessary for the continuation of the species. (No flowers, no seeds. No seed, no new flower).
This aloe is a succulent and has adaptive measures for desert survival. Succulents (and cacti, too) have the ability to suck up water when it does rain and then store it in large quantities. These plants send shallow roots in a wide circumference around the plant, and so the root absorbs the water before it evaporates. And when a succulent, like this bright-orange, flowering aloe, traps water in its system, its waxy surface helps keep the water in the plant and reduces water lost to evaporation.
We humans could learn much by consulting with nature and her ways:
- Assess our weaknesses and strengths – bolster our weaknesses and play to our strengths.
- Be resourceful and use our resources wisely. Do not use more natural resources than we need. Consider needs vs. wants.
- Share your beauty, whether it be small and hidden, delicate and ethereal, or bright and showy.
What a lovely message Bo. 🙂
I’m constantly amazed at the amount of colour you find in the desert. Your eyes are really focused, and that, I’m sure, is why you take such beautiful photos.
There is a lot of color in the desert — if there has been enough rain. During dry times, there are many shades of brown and faded green. Still lovely, just different.
The colors are gorgeous…and I love how you’ve found life lessons in these desert flowers. So inspiring!
Thanks , Marcie. I’m amazed — the desert appears to have many lessons that I need to learn.
I found that the desert was a magnificent teacher. Stern, harsh, and unforgiving, but magnificent!
True, Montucky. Very true. You don;t mess around with the desert, but treat her with respect and go well-prepared.
I especially like the Blooming Aloe–with it’s double.
Yes, the aloe and the bokeh are my favorites too.
Beautiful post. 🙂
One of the first things I noticed during my one and only visit to a desert was how small many of the wildflowers were. It took time, though, for me to notice them. Once I did, I realized they were spreading their beauty everywhere, if only I’d known how to look.
It does take some looking when the desert is dry. But the looking is rewarding.
Nature has lessons for those who want to learn. Beautiful photographs!