Arizona, Photography

Desert Colors

by Ingrid

The weather across the U.S. this past winter has been absolutely crazy and unusual. We have seen just about every extreme play out across the country. Here in Arizona, we experienced a cooler and wetter than normal winter. and I am extremely grateful I wasn’t living in our RV. Inclement weather can really zap the fun out of the RV adventure.

With all that additional moisture, our normally parched desert was doing a happy dance, and as soon as the weather warmed, she produced a stunning show of colorful wildflowers … wildflowers just waiting to be photographed.

Sunday Stills Photo Challenge

With my new camera in hand, I couldn’t wait to get back out on the trails and see these desert blooms up close and personal. I did find myself battling with wind and camera settings but did my best to capture the beauty surrounding me.

So, of course, I need to share some of the images as the desert shows us her colors. For this week’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge, Terri asks us to share photographs depicting pastel colors. I’m not sure just how pastel-y the flowers are but it’s an excuse to share these lovely wildflowers regardless.

It has been a gorgeous spring thus far, and I’m trying to enjoy every moment. The extreme desert heat will be upon us soon enough, but not before the cacti show us their beauty.

Hope you enjoyed seeing our beautiful desert at her finest. Till next time …

68 thoughts on “Desert Colors”

  2. Oh so nice to see you again, Ingrid. I so enjoyed your desert flowers and scenes–gorgeous colors, beautiful skies and outstanding landscapes. Cheers.

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  3. Makes me want to head back to the Southwest Ingrid! Very good flower photos. We were wandering through Death Valley, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas at this time last year. Lots of flowers then. It looks like more now, –Curt

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    1. With all the extra precipitation the southwest received this past winter, we experienced a super bloom…. absolutely stunning. I wish I had gotten out more with the camera. 😊

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  9. It is fun playing with a new camera isn’t it? I still have my 300 and it work great but I do not find myself excited to pick it up and play with it even though I am probably using 10% of it’s potential.

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    1. I really got comfortable with the 300 and used and abused it. I thought about getting another one, but when an opportunity to get a micro-four-thirds mirrorless came my way, I couldn’t pass it up and am so glad I didn’t. Great camera, but I’m partial to Lumix cameras.

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    1. I couldn’t agree more about Mother Nature. I think that’s just another reason you and I enjoy RVing … getting immersed in nature.

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  15. Ingrid,
    You still got the touch, girl. The wildflowers are amazing and you captured them well. Makes me sorry we missed the show. We’re going to North Carolina this week to see the wildflowers there. The display is more subdued, but pretty nonetheless. Thanks for sharing and have a great week.

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    1. Thanks Joe. I know you’ll have a wonderful time in NC/ I look forward to reading your post and seeing your photographs. Safe travels!

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    1. Absolutely! I wanted to make it over to Saguaro Lake last week but life got in the way. Maybe we’ll get lucky next spring with another beautiful showing of blooms.

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    1. The desert outdid herself this spring. Yes, we’ve needed the moisture. We’re hoping the Colorado River fills from snow melt helping out Lakes Mead and Powell. 🤞

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  18. Hi Ingrid, your wildflower shots are brilliant. It looks like you got off the beaten path a bit. Vince was a little worried about snakes, but we didn’t see any on our search for wildflowers. I’m so glad you suggested that we head toward Saguaro Lake. It was such a lovely trip.

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    1. Fortunately, it was a little cooler when I went out wildflower shooting. I’m extremely careful keeping a close eye on the ground. I’ve had one too many close calls with rattlesnakes, the scariest at Willow Lake in Prescott but I got a good photograph 😁 Hope to see you again soon.

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      1. Seriously, Ingrid! Right in my backyard! Willow Lake is only a few minutes from our house. I never go barefooted here. I did in CA even though there were rattlesnakes there, Prescott is more rugged terrain. We went to Granite Dells Garden yesterday. I felt safe in the open, but I didn’t want to climb the rocks! I never got a good picture of one even though I have seen them fairly often. I’d love to see what you took.

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  19. We must visit AZ soon….I have family in southern AZ. We really want to see the Grand Canyon as well….Your pictures heighten our desire to also see the beauty in the state!
    I showed my husband your most recent blog posts and then saw how you turned some of them into a book! I had actually inquired of ML how she did hers. I’m paying to run my TumbleLees.me blog – no ads and I get extra support. BUT now that we are not really traveling, I want to shut it down but not until I upload it into a book! YAY, I uploaded it so it would be 5 volumes. It is just a bit expensive to do it all at once – but worth it. Like you, I am starting with Book 1.
    Thanks for sharing PixxiBook – it was so well done. I just need to do a little editing and then refresh….

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  20. Beautiful desert spring! It makes me so grateful that we were able to experience some of those beautiful blooms in person — though your photos are a gorgeous stand-in. So glad you’re posting again, and thank you for sharing your pretty efforts!

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    1. Thank you Joodie. Unfortunately, the wildflowers are starting to dry up. They never last long enough but now the cactus are starting. They always put on a good show. I’m not sure how frequently I’ll post. I want to keep it fun. So, we’ll see.

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  23. Beautiful pictures and the colors are so sharp, and bright. You must be loving your new camera. I am enjoying your blog again and beautiful pictures!

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    1. Thanks Merry Sue. I am definitely enjoying the new camera. Now I need to focus on getting out and about more frequently to practice. Are you still planning an RV trip out this way?

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      1. Well I was in august , sept but my brother is putting together a family reunion in aug. So not sure which way I will be heading. Things change constantly in my life. I will give you heads up when I know. Might head to New England in aug then west in sept?!?

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          1. Yes I hope so I have been looking forward to traveling south and west since I always go north usually. I will keep in touch.
            I also will look forward to more blogs and pictures!

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  24. Wow, your photos are absolutely beautiful, Ingrid! ❤️☺️ I’m so glad winter has finally passed, it was ridiculous up here too.

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      1. My sister is a widow these days, a couple of years ago, she purchased one of those very expensive van conversions that basically give you all the comforts of home on 4 wheels. It’s a beautiful home on wheels and something I would love to own someday!

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          1. This makes me wonder if I should sell my house someday and live in a van like that since I have no plans on getting married again.

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            1. I would NEVER go full-time in an RV again especially these days. I would love to part-time. Covid messed with everything. We’ve been tossing around a used truck camper or small Class C but not quite ready. Don’t miss RVing enough to jump back in just yet.

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              1. This is a huge change from when I first followed you guys a long time ago it seems. People change, and time changes many things. I really love my little house, it’s perfect for the eternally-single guy. 😂🍻

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    1. Thanks Karen. Yes, we’ve had an awesome spring filled with flowers. Unfortunately, the heat is here and only getting warmer. 🥵

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  26. I will take those gorgeous images of the flowers even if they weren’t pastel in the traditional sense, good enough for me to see your fabulous photography, Ingrid! I just love poppies and lupines together. You really have a gift! It’s sprinkly and overcast outside my window today–thank you for brightening mine!

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    1. Here in AZ, we’ve entered the time of year when we welcome a moisture-filled overcast day. Is there such a thing as too many sunshine-filled days? I’m glad you were able to visit when the desert was at its finest. The blooms this year were stunning.

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  28. Ingrid,
    Are you in Tucson? I have a friend living there and want to confirm that she is enjoying these beautiful colors.
    John

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