Residents of Tucson Estates II have to look no further than their backyard to find ARIZONA WILDFLOWERS.
December rains trigger a profusion of spring flowers in the Arizona desert. Our gated community, Tucson Estates II (Zip Code 85713) is surrounded by a natural preserve of more than 20,000 acres, Tucson Mountain Park.
The desert floor, usually painted with muted greens of cacti and browns of bare caliche soil, turns vibrant green as the wildflowers push out of the ground with their first leaves.
Then comes unbelievable beauty for a place so long in drought as buds turn to flowers and they spread their petals to drink in the sun and attract pollinators.
As dusk approaches, our California poppies (tourists who decided to put down roots) fold up their tents in preparation for nightfall.
Arizona wildflowers aren't limited to the desert floor. Bright red flames adorn the tips of an unusual desert plant, the Ocotillo. You'll see them everywhere in Tucson Estates II and the surrounding Tucson Mountain Park.
Most of the year, these tall plants look like long dead sticks.
In the month of March, however, they flower, feeding migrating hummingbirds with their nectar.
If you're planning to buy a home in Tucson Estates II, call me. I've lived in this community for more than a decade, and I'm always glad to introduce new friends.
I look forward to showing you our Arizona wildflowers.
___________________
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson Mortgage Lender.
NMLS #223495
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE llc ~ Mortgage Bankers, Not Brokers!
Offices in Scottsdale, Tucson, and Nogales, AZ, and Albuquerque, NM.
Reach me any time on my Blackberry (520) 349-9090
photos copyright Mike in Tucson
These are such beautiful pictures. I had no idea they have lovely flowers in the middle of the desert.
Gita,
Thanks for being the first to comment! You'll have to plan a trip and see this for yourself.
Mike in Tucson
Good morning Mike,
What lovely, vibrant flowers you have in your area. Great shots..very enticing..thanks for sharing.
Oh, I love the Spring flowers in the desert, it's hard to imagine it until you see it. How can you have Poppies, aren't those the California State flower? :)
Cynthia,
I guess there oughta' be a law. You're correct; April 6th is California Poppy Day. It became their state flower back in 1903. But just like people are migrating to Arizona, so also has the California State Flower. Come visit and see!
Dorie,
Thanks for stopping by to comment!
Mike in Tucson
Mike - absolutely beautiful wild flowers. I am sure you must have a lot right now because of all the rain.
Mike,
These flowers are beautiful. I love flowers and the fact that these are wildflowers make it even better for me.
Thanks for sharing
Have a great day
Leander
I felt like reaching out and touching them. Nice photos!
Mike, your pictures are stunning. I would have never thought of Poppies growing wild there. They are one of my favorite flowers to have in the yard. Unfortunately, they don't grow well here.
Mike - You're just getting better every day........I LOVE your photos.....but not just the pics, the whole enchilada........the way you weave the story and create a call to action for your communities. If buyers don't call you....they are missing out on the best!
Hi Mike - What a great bit of brightness for my psyche! I needed that!!! Love the photos - and I'm sure California doesn't mind sharing ;) Well, at least I don't see why they would....LOL
Debi
Debi,
Brightness for the psyche! I like that...
Gail,
You are so kind, and today, I really needed the encouragement. Great timing!
I haven't had a chance to get out to Catalina State Park just north of the city, but today's Arizona Daily Star had this photo on the front page above the fold. Click this link for this and more wildflower photos from the Arizona Daily Star.
Marlene,
Here are a few more for you.
Leander,
You've got to come visit! I'll be your guide.
Sharon,
Yes we do! Check this out!
Mike in Tucson
Beautiful! Looks like you are doing quite well with the new camera!
Doreen,
It looks like this week will be peak wildflower season down here. (And I love the new camera!)
Mike in Tucson
Great photos!! Sorry, I missed the new camera .. I should have been here. What did you purchase?
Mike - Nothing can compete with the beauty of Mother Nature doing her thing! Thanks for the wonderful photos!
Mike, thanks for the link. Loved them! :) Happy Easter to you and your family.
Connie,
You're very welcome! Happy Easter to you and yours.
BarbaraJo,
Amen to that! You're welcome.
Judi,
I'll be in Oklahoma tomorrow! The camera is a Panasonic Lumix from Costco. 12X optical zoom and wide angle lens. Leica glass. All for a marked down price of $139!
Mike in Tucson
Hello Mike and some of these photos look breath-taking and the top photo are California poppies if I am not mistaken!
Vegas Bob
Beautiful pics my friend
I hope you're not making anything special out of those poppies there! LOL
I think ocotillo look so beautiful after it rains and they get leaves and bloom. I think it only happens with rain.
What a beautiful treat to see those desert flowers!
Georgina,
Thanks for stopping by!
Doreen,
That's the truth about the leaves. Ocotillo "flames" will bloom without leaves on the plant even in a drought, though.
Russel,
LOL
Vegas Bob,
That they are, although some horticulturists give them a sub species name "Mexicana."
Mike in Tucson