Succulent Explosion

Succulent, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Anyone ever notice how some succulents just look like they're exploding from within? This little specimen was at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona.

Aloe

Opening, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

This is just one of many aloes that can be seen in the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. They are such cool plants!

The most striking one I've seen, however, is the spiral aloe. Its leaves grow in a perfect geometric spiral in multiple rows. Truly a spectacular plant to behold.

Firecracker

Firecracker, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Starting off the New Year with a bang...firecracker penstemon!

Chihuly in the Desert

Chihuly in the Desert, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here's some of Chihuly's glass I wrote about earlier. He truly is a gifted artist to be able to envision these incredible pieces of art.

Lemony

Lemony, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

A tagetes lemmonii flower in the Desert Botanical Garden near Phoenix, Arizona.

What a great garden : diverse, colorful, and well-designed. When I was there, they had an exhibition of the glass artwork of Dale Chihuly. If you ever have a chance to see Chihuly's amazing work, make sure you don't pass it up - it's incredible.

Desert Christmas

Macro Cacti, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Before today, I had never gone hiking in the desert during a rainstorm.

Well, I guess there's a first time for everything.

I saw these cacti growing high on Sunrise Peak near Scottsdale, Arizona. A rainstorm had just blown through, and the setting sun was creating golden light everywhere. Directly behind me was a 180° rainbow, and considering its desert location, it was pretty spectacular.

Talk about a great Christmas.

Ocotillo Skies

A leafless ocotillo bush contrasted against the Arizona sky.

View from Sunrise Peak

A view of the Sonoran Desert and the mountains of Arizona.

Saguaro in the Sonoran

A huge saguaro cactus in the Sonoran desert of Arizona.

One More Hibiscus

A water-covered tropical hibiscus in Arizona.

Royal Palm

A royal palm, Roystonea regia, in Arizona.

Tropical Lushness

A bright ti plant stands out in the midst of tropical foliage.

Water Falling

A beautiful, yet artificial, waterfall in Arizona.

Natal Plum Flower

The natal plum bears a close resemblance to the plumeria, but is much smaller.

Another Orchid

Although this isn't an orchid, it sure does look like one.

Golden Cane Palm

Two clusters of golden cane palms, Dypsis lutescens, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Arizona Hibiscus

A tropical hibiscus at the Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.