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

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

Away from the desk

The Springs Preserve is at its most beautiful so it is nice to get away from my desk and enjoy the sun! :D

Mojave aster

 Skipper butterfly! :)

Collared lizards

 These purple beauties are called 4 o'clock flowers

The cactus are still blooming like crazy

Cone flower

 Lots of happy bees

 I'm finally seeing more ladybugs out and about

Cloudy Day

Today is cloudy with temps in the upper 60s. Just perfect for Las Vegas :)

 This morning's Sunrise at Mount Frenchman

 Pink fairy dusters are some of my favorites

Sunny honey bee

Pretty blue flowers peeking through the grass

 Vibrant orange California poppy

Rat in a Tree!

There are rats in the trees! This poor fellow was about 10-15 ft up in the middle of this tree in the gardens. I'll check up on him later and see if he gathered enough courage to work his way back down.

 Poor rat! :(

The apple blossoms are losing their petals and are preparing to become yummy apples!

 Bee :)

 Aloe buds

With all of the recent rain our cactus are going to have some amazing blooms soon!

Things That Fly

Sometimes things that fly are cute and sometimes they are freaky. I was super excited to finally catch a little humming bird buzzing about some penstemon flowers this afternoon. Boy, she was fast! I was surprised I got her in focus. I also found a cool looking moth with some interesting bumps that I believe to be a Looper moth. 

Flower Power

Snow on the mountains and 49 F on Monday, but almost 70 F and sunny today. Crazy Vegas weather! :)

 Cherry Blossoms

 Pink flowers...still looking for a name for these beauties

Western Pygmy Blue

 Little purple daisy

 I can't get enough blanket flowers!

 Happy bee

Cloudy Thursday

A bit cloudy today with the promise of rain tomorrow, but a lovely walk around the Springs Preserve none the less. :)

 Honey bee on germander flower

 Beautiful gallardia flower

 Chuckwalla looking awesomely prehistoric

Dafodils