This week, Sofia asks us to think about the burgeoning spring season in the northern hemisphere. “Spring is the returning of life, of new beginnings and, in my case, of hope.” You can read her entire challenge post at https://photographias.wordpress.com/2023/03/18/lens-artists-challenge-spring-2/.

Before wintering the the desert Southwest, I thought life with minimal water was pretty barren. While it is true that there are dryer deserts than the Sonoran, it is truly not lifeless. The image above is a sign of spring with the blooming of desert plants one of the harbingers.

Arizona hosts the Cactus League, several Major League Baseball teams have training fields in the Phoenix area. Exhibition games are popular with residents and visitors alike.

Lynn and I are currently cruising along the coast of South America, so I don’t have any new photos from this journey as it is approaching autumn in Brazil.

Given our limited Internet access, I am keeping my post to a minimum this week and next. My regular Travel Tuesday and Cellpic Sunday posts will be as normal since they were created before we left home and will publish automatically.

Thanks to Sofia for her challenge reminding us that the feet of snow in our home in North Dakota will soon melt to be replaced anew with signs of spring.

John Steiner

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ

As I write on this Easter Sunday, I can think of no more fitting place to visit than a garden. It heralds the coming of Spring, of new life, of resurrection from the desolation of winter. Last year and this, my wife, Lynn, and I visited the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona.

Since 1939, the garden has been delighting visitors of all ages. Their vision statement, which states in part, “The Garden’s vision is to be the premier center in the world for the display, study and understanding of desert plants and their environments,” continues to be fulfilled.

My favorite trail within the garden in the spring is the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Loop Trail. Blossoms abound, and the desert environment, normally imagined as arid, desolate and void of life, has been transformed into verdant displays of multicolored flowers. The displays are carefully attended by employees and a large volunteer corps that maintains the grounds.

Last year, we arrived late in the day, and we missed the butterfly exhibit. It closes earlier than the park, and by the time we got to the exhibit, it had just closed. We decided not to make that mistake again. With Lynn and me on our visit this year, my sister and a friend were along. We didn’t have the entire day, as a trip to the airport to pick up my niece was also on the agenda. We satisfied ourselves this trip with a visit to the wildflower trail, and our long-awaited walk through the butterfly exhibit. The many other trails in the garden would have to wait for another time.

Walk through the garden with us, and we will share with you some of the beauty you will find there.

Along the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Loop Trail:

The Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to visit any time of year, but it is especially beautiful in the spring. If you are in the area, put it on your list of places to visit in Phoenix.

John Steiner