Joshua Tree National Park - Canterbury Bells - 4/7/12

JTNP - Canterbury Bells (16), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Phacelia campanularia

Canterbury Bells (aka Desert Bluebells and Desert Bells) are a member of the Phacelia family. These bright blue flowers bloom February thru April. Many of these flowers bloom in the eastern part of the park, near Cottonwood Spring.

Joshua Tree National Park - Desert Globemallow - 4/7/12

JTNP - Desert Globemallow (1), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Sphaeralcea ambigua

Also called Apricot Mallow, Desert Hollyhock and Desert Mallow, these bright orange-red flowers bloom March thru November.

Joshua Tree National Park - Ocotillo shadows - 4/7/12

JTNP - Ocotillo Shadow(16), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

The Ocotillo branches make interesting shadows on the desert floor.

Joshua Tree National Park - Ocotillo - 4/7/12

JTNP - Ocotillo (13), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

The Ocotillo produces bright red flowers in the spring, and sometimes again in the fall.

Joshua Tree National Park - Ocotillo - 4/7/12

JTNP - Ocotillo (5), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Fouquieria splendens

Also called Coachwhip, these tall shrubs can be found in the eastern park of Joshua Tree National Park. Their flowers bloom March thru June, and sometimes again from October thru November.

Joshua Tree National Park - Desert Pincushion - 4/7/12

cr_JTNP_Desert Pincushion, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Chaenactis stevioides

These plants are members of the sunflower family. They produce small white desert flowers that bloom February thru May.

Joshua Tree National Park - Beavertail Cactus - 4/7/12

JTNP - Beavertail Cactus (6), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Opuntia basilaris

A desert plant, The Beavertail Cactus produces bright magenta-pink flowers from March thru June.

Sunset at Joshua Tree National Park - 4/7/12

JTNP - Sunset (19), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

A Joshua Tree silhouetted against the evening sky

Sunset at Joshua Tree National Park - 4/7/12

JTNP - Sunset (5), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Joshua Trees make cool shapes against the evening sky.

Sand Blazing Star - Joshua Tree NP - 4/7/12

Due to the dry winter, this year's wildflower season is kind of a bust, but there are flowers to be found, mainly on the east side of the park.

Cottonwood Spring - Joshua Tree NP - 4/7/12

Located on the east side of the park, this is the trailhead to the back country, where the desert bighorn roam.

Joshua Tree NP at sunset - 4/7/12

Joshua Trees make interesting shapes against the light of the setting sun

Ocotillo - Joshua Tree NP- 4/7/12

Purple Mat - Joshua Tree NP - 4/7/12

Beavertail Cactus - Joshua Tree NP 4/7/12

Burrowing Owl - 4/6/12

These owls live underground in burrows, thus the name, Burrowing Owl. I found this guy near the I-5 and Stockdale Hwy, near the Tule Elk State Reserve

Wilderness Park - Mallard female 3/24/12

wild park_mallard female (1), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

time for a bath!

Almansor Park - Brewer's Blackbird 3/24/12

cr_alm park_brewers blackbird, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Almansor Park - Mandarin Duck 3/24/12

cr_alm park_mandarin duck5, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Almansor Park - Ruddy Duck 3/24/12

cr_ruddy duck1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

These little ducks dive under the water to get their food