Desert Flower

hardy flower
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

The first wildflowers are in bloom here in the Antelope Valley, blooming with what Edward Abbey called "...the special and extraordinary beauty of wild and lonely things"

He writes:

"Every desert flower shares that quality. Anything that lives where it seems nothing could live, enduring extremes of heat and cold, sunlight and storm, parching aridity and sudden cloudbursts, among burnt rocks and shifting sands, any such creature -- beast, bird or flower -- testifies to the grandeur and heroism inherent in all forms of life. Including the human. Including us." (Edward Abbey, 'Beyond the Wall')

Desert springtime

flowers and flatirons
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Spring is hitting the Antelope Valley this week. Daylight savings, obviously, but lots of growth happening just below the surface, too. We're looking forward to a good showing of wildflowers from all of the rain this winter. The first ones are just starting to show out of the desert sands.

Here's a shot of some of them, taken at the 'Devil's Punchbowl, the intersection of the San Andreas, Pinyon, and Punchbowl faults.