Generation Gasps

Snow on the rocks

            Whenever I wander I’m always aware that my camera is in the car – just in case. But last Sunday, my phone rang at 7:30am. “Grab your camera. We’re going up to Sedona.” Sometimes my gods are really up to the job because I had my camera in the house because I just charged the batteries – lots of juice for the venture ahead.

            Snow had fallen overnight and Red Rock Country was draped in white wonder. My friend, the person who called so early, has a very different eye than I so we look for different subjects. I tend to seek unusual textures and contrasts, like odd skies and close ups. My friend looks for the total scene. By 11 o’clock we had spent pixels galore. I didn’t catch that perfect shot but did get a few nice ones - the light was giving us some trouble..

            By 2pm the skies were bright and the snow ran in rivulets in the gutters. As a displaced Canadian escaping winter – this is how one should experience snow. Back in Cottonwood, fewer than ten miles away there was only a skiff. Such is the weather in this part of the high desert. Monday, I was able to sit out on the patio reading.

            This week, spring is here. The streets are lined with trees in blossom and several small desert flowers are starting to open. Every morning from now on will be a discovery walk as the desert comes into bloom. I expect there will be fewer flowers this year as it has been dry. But, a few showers can change that so if there’s any precipitation that will change everything. Desert flowers are amazing as they can lie dormant for years then come alive. There is always the chance that you’ll find a specimen that you have never seen before. A plant can be a green clump one day and the next be in full bloom. A guava spike can grow 2 feet in a day. So dear readers for the next little while do not be surprised if I rant about the desert blooms – it’s my thing. And I’ll post picture too.