Spring flowers at Desert Botanical Garden come in waves. It all starts with the wildflowers and when it gets too hot for them the cactus flowers may have started to bloom. if you are lucky, and we were, the butterfly exhibit is open. You might even spot a cactus wren gathering nesting materials. These flowers are the result of multiple trips, each time bringing some new discoveries. We hope you enjoy them.
Badger Springs Wash
Badger Springs Wash is about 0.9 mile one way hike with a 101 foot elevation. This predominantly sandy trail is located within the Agua Fria National Monument, accessible right off I-17 just north of the Sunset Point rest stop. The trail leads down the Badger Springs Wash to the confluence of the Agua Fria and Big Bug creeks. One can hike up or down the creek from the wash area, but be prepared for some boulder hopping.
There are snakes! I would not worry about them unless you do not pay attention or choose to put your hands in rock crevices. On past hikes I have seen a Gila monster and a bobcat.
The wash runs between two hills. During monsoon season there is a real risk of flash flooding through the wash. In one places a hiker may see debris caught up to 30 feet on the hillsides, evidence of a recent flash flood.
I went specifically to look for small wildflowers. I found a few.
Finding butterflies, wild like this, was a really nice surprise!
Very low water level for this time of year.
There are many interesting rocks along the wash, of many colors and fissures such as this one.
Oh! Look! A beetle.
Left behind. Must have caused blisters!
The Chihuly Gallery at Desert Botanical Gardens
An important part of the Chihuly Exhibit at Desert Botanical Gardens this year was held in an indoor ‘Gallery’. There were four rooms and each one contained exquisite blown glass that simply awed each observer as they walked through. I have chosen to group the photographs so that you can ‘walk around’ and when possible get up close to this incredible artwork. Lighting was a challenge for photographers and reflections played havoc with some images. You will also notice differences in processing the images, each photographer editing them to reflect either how they saw the image or how they felt best reflected the gorgeous glass. Enjoy the tour.
