April Showers of Photos: April 13

The climbing rose on my butterfly garden is blooming like crazy this week. It has never been so full of blooms but I think it is getting more sun now that we cut down the big pine tree in our yard. It is prettier than it looks in this photo.

Here is a close-up of the blooms. There are so many of them. Can you hear the bees buzzing?

Here is one limb hanging down on the shady side that looks like a bouquet all by itself.

Thanks to Jennifer for hosting an April Showers of Photos challenge on her blog S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen.

I never intended that the majority of my photos for this challenge would be of flowers but it does make sense if you know me. I surround myself with floral beauty at all times. I can't get enough.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

April Showers of Photos: April 11

Today's photo is of a very red insect that we saw on our hike. It was really big...probably about three inches long. It was a flying insect and when it flew its back legs dangled down. The body is a bluish black. I have not been able to identify it yet. We were so entertained by how it flew around it us so we could really get a good look at it.

Edit: Tamara helped me out with the ID on this insect. Tarantula hawk wasp. I had read about this insect in a book but didn't make the connection. This is a prime example of how in the desert, life is a delicate balance. Thanks Tamara.

Now for those that asked me about the barrel cactus fruit. I have no idea if you can eat it like the prickly pear. Here is a photo of what the insides look like. The birds were having a feast with the fruits and seeds.

There were many, many black seeds inside the fruit on the barrel cactus.

Thanks to Jennifer for hosting an April Showers of Photos challenge on her blog S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

April Showers of Photos: April 9

Can you believe how beautiful this flower is? You can not miss it as you hike by. So that was my photo for the theme of "color" from yesterday.

Now, how about this beauty that I saw on a hike. It is a Gambel's quail. Isn't he gorgeous? (Make sure to click the photo to make it larger.)

I was thrilled to see this bird in its natural setting. He sat so still for me to get this close. He had been taunting me with his distinctive call and then my husband spotted him with the binoculars. We were able to slowly move closer to take a photo. This was a fantastic hike....so many birds. We also heard a bunch of coyotes in the distance which was a little unnerving but they quickly moved away from where we were.

Thanks to Jennifer for hosting an April Showers of Photos challenge on her blog S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

April Showers of Photos: April 7

This photo is from yesterday's hike. I took over a hundred photos yesterday put this one is one of my favorites. Love the pink and it is surprising to find in the desert that there are so many colors this time of year.


Thanks to Jennifer for hosting an April Showers of Photos challenge on her blog S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen. I am trying to keep to my theme of "colors".

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

April Showers of Photos: April 6

Calla lilies

These were just too pretty to pass up. I don't usually consider "white" a very exciting color but I will make an exception for these garden flowers. I also like the shape of the leaves on this plant and they are so green next to the white of the petals.



Thanks to Jennifer for hosting an April Showers of Photos challenge on her blog S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

April Showers of Photos: April 5

How about something blue today? I do not know what the bush is called that this beautiful blue flower is on but it is blooming everywhere you go in our part of the world. This one happened to be in the Costco parking lot landscaping. :)



It was so pretty up against the spring sky.

Thanks to Jennifer for hosting an April Showers of Photos challenge on her blog S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

April Showers of Photos: April 3

I seem to be stuck on a purple color theme. This was just too gorgeous to pass by this morning. The fragrance from the lilacs was intoxicating.

Jennifer is hosting an April Showers of Photos challenge on her blog S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen. I am challenging myself to take a photo every day that shows some color....I just couldn't narrow myself to a particular color yet.

I love the heart shape of the leaves.

Now I am caught up with the daily challenges so far this month. I promise I will try to find something other than a purple flower to take photos of for the rest of the month.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

April Showers of Photos: April 1

Dutch Iris in my front yard

So I am up for a new challenge this month. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Wildflower Morning's challenge over the winter and now I am ready for a new project. Jennifer at S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen is going to be hosting an April Showers of Photos challenge.

Here is what she says in her post:
Set your own goals for the month or focus on a theme that interests you (Spring Flowers, macro photos, portraits, or perhaps the color green?) or simply have uploading one photo a day as your goal! Goodness knows that's all I'll get done some April days!


I am going to challenge myself to post one photo a day for the month of April. I am going to focus on color as my theme and hope to find lots of interesting things to share with you from my world.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom