My Backyard

Yes, it's beautiful, isn't it? It's a wonder I get anything done at all, between gawking at the scenery and watching 'cat TV.'

See how the ocotillo's all leafed out? Pretty, huh? We live in a veritable forest of ocotillos. I think they look a lot like underwater plants. And once upon a time, this area was part of an ocean, so it's not as far-fetched a notion as it sounds. But besides being just a very cool looking plant, ocotillo is one of the most resourceful of desert flora. They absorb most of their moisture through their long spiny limbs, and lose those perky little green leaves when they go into drought mode which is pretty often. Hey, it's the desert.

I take lots of photos of ocotillos. Here are a few:

This is actually looking east. The sunset is behind me, but the clouds and mountains in the east can be spectacular as well. That's why we watch the sunsets backwards at the ghost town Porch.


Here's what a bloomin' ocotillo looks like. And now here's a closeup of the blooms:


Aren't they pretty? You're welcome.