Stephenson Family Ties The Barn Burnt Down
And Now I See The Moon

Tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes!
"Lines Written in Early Spring,"
~William Wordsworth, 
 Lyrical Ballads, 1798
pic: flickr

This morning I broke away from home and the kiddies for a short time and went hiking. To me is was a short stroll...to Bob it felt like hours!!! te he
Utah is experiencing a strange and rare spring...meaning  it cant decide how to behave!!
Its cold and wet one day and then the next its hot and windy or windy and cold.
But the fruits of this behavior has got to be the greenest desert I can ever remember savoring!!
This morning the wildflowers were resplendent!!!
And since I was strolling this morning...with a dear guest with new blisters...I had time pull out my trusty wildflower book and do some "research."
The above bloom is called- Scarlet Gaura. (havent a clue how to pronounce it.)
Its a dainty little flower...it has no call to live and thrive in the desert...but it does!!! And  its showy to boot!  And as most desert flowers seem to be..it has unique attributes that help it to survive here in this harsh climate.
My Audubon wildflower book taught me that this flower is white when it newly opens and that it attracts night-flying moths which are its primary pollinators.  By early the next day, the flowers are pink, and the color intensifies throughout the morning hours. The flower remains open for less than a day.
Fancy That!!!
Live Long and Prosper Friends!!!

1 comment:

Judy said...

I am so ready to come! After your week with the Grandbabies you may not want a house guest, but I'd sure love to come. When do you have a slow hiking week, or at least an "easy" hiking week?