Trees of Gold

This time of year the desert is alive with trees of gold. The Palo Verde trees are all in bloom and we have a lot of them.  The flowers are small, about 1/2" in diameter, but can completey cover a tree when in bloom.  The rest of the year they are green.  Green leaves and green bark.  And in real dry conditions they lose their leaves and can photosynthesize through the green bark to stay alive.  It's an amazing tree.

"Trees of Gold"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Palo Verde Blossoms

One of the beauties of living in the desert is the spectacle we get this time of year when the Palo Verde trees bloom. Spanish for "Green Stick", these unique trees adapt to drought conditions by dropping their small leaves and photosynthesising through the bark, which is green. A favorite of humming birds as well as honey bees, these trees add wild splashes of yellow across the desert when in bloom since the entire tree is usually covered with these tiny yellow blossoms.

"Palo Verde Blossoms" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Dining al Fresco

What's a little rain among friends? My friend Patty has strung lots of these seed balls in her Palo Verde tree and the birds were enjoying lunch today no matter what the weather.

"Dining al Fresco" © Kathy Dunham 2009