Summer Lovin

Summer is in full swing with temps reaching 111F by the weekend. The flowers continue to bloom like the little soldiers they are. We also had a couple of Say's Phoebe fly catchers visit us. They have a very high pitched "PEE-UR" call that kinda sounds like a laser gun. :)

Las Vegas Ablaze

Back in Las Vegas and the temperatures are approaching triple digits. The warmer temperatures can be seen effecting the wildlife here at Springs Preserves. Time to break out my cowboy hat. :)

The honey bees enjoyed the water from some of the outdoor fountains.

 Banded centipede

 This young warbler was clearly showing the effects from the high heat.

 Fly away

 Water drop on a cabbage leaf

 Ablaze in the sun

 Tiny flowers host tiny insects

Heating Up

Typical Las Vegas May temps are finally here and we will be in the mid 90s by this afternoon. The cooler temperatures were nice while they lasted, but I did enjoy the gardens this morning before it got too hot.:)

It's been a rough week, but I had a few moments of enjoyment

It's been a rough week, but I had a few moments of enjoyment. So many interesting critters and moments that made me smile when I needed it most.

Angry bird! Both parent mockingbirds are very territorial when they are nesting and will defend their nests from any animals they think are predators. This northern mockingbird was quite cross with me!

 I saved this poor fellow from a visiting field trip group. He was missing two legs. :(

 Rose glow

 One of the scorpions I relocated from one of the outside umbrellas. :)

 Took some photos of these old flower husks before noticing something interesting...

These little guys were using them as shelters! :)

New Family!

The Springs Preserve welcomed some new family members- baby antelope squirrels! Cuteness overload! :D

 The first brave souls wandering from the den

 And another...

 Soon the entire crew came out to pose! :)

Chain reaction

 Datura writghii or “Sacred Datura” or “Jimsonweed”

 Datura writghii bud

 Beauty never truly fades

My Monday

Wednesday is my Monday and the beginning of a hectic week here at Springs Preserve (Ice Cream Festival this Saturday!). It was nice to start my day in the calm beauty of the garden.

 This honey bee was resting and let me take a nice photo before flying away.

 Purple daisy

 I love pink bladder sage

 Apache plume

Red lily

 The apple tree is laden with fruit

Chaste tree

Last picture of the day...

Hot Hot Hot

Spring has moved on and our Las Vegas summer is coming in strong with temperatures in the 90s. The Springs Preserve gardens continue to stun with an explosion of flowers.

 Rose garden

White Poppy

Golden 

  What an onion looks like when it flowers

California Poppy

I love unopened cactus bloom textures and colors

 Hi bee! :)

Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii)