For the Flower Hour, share your images of flowers, gardens, fields of flowers, seasonal leaves and plants, fungus, algae, cacti, blossoms, berries, and wildflowers. Bouquets and silk/faux flowers are welcome.
This week, I’m sharing desert plants spotted during our visits to various points of interest near Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. 🌵
While visiting the Boyce Thompson Arboretum east of Phoenix, it was the perfect day to stroll the grounds and gawk at the desert plant life, with temperatures only in the upper 70sF (24C)! I know, right?
Isn’t this red yucca plant beautiful?
Sonoran Desert Fun
“A flower blooming in the desert proves to the world that adversity, no matter how great, can be overcome.” ~ Matshono Dhliwayo
We also visited Saguaro National Park, Southeast of Tucson, also on a cool-ish day. We took the road tour to various lookouts, since dogs are not allowed on the trails.
I thought this saguaro cactus looked happy, thriving in the warm desert sun with its arms reaching skyward; a small smile on its “face.”
Do you need to place a cactus call? This was spotted in the town near the national park entrance.
Honoring Cee Neuner during the month of March.
Also sharing for Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday and Lens-Artists Challenge: Time to Relax. I couldn’t resist also sharing for my own Sunday Stills color challenge, graciously hosted by Susanne this week!
There are no specific themes for the Flower Hour; just use your own photography.
New to The Flower Hour photo challenge? Please check out my page for more information! I encourage “double-dipping” with other blog challenges if you do not want to create a separate post.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from San Diego this week! 🍀
© 2026 Copyright — Terri Webster Schrandt and secondwindleisure.com — All Rights Reserved
All content on this blog is copyrighted. Please do not repost or reblog without my permission.
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Ooohh, the sunshine and beautiful desert vistas made me happy, Terri. Lovely gallery and what a wonderful Red Desert Yucca! Thank you for the relaxing vibes!
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[…] Terri’s The #Flower Hour #22 – 17 March 2026: “Relaxing Desert […]
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Desert greens are always a favorite of mine, Terri! We went to Apache Junction to take a ride on the Dolly on Canyon Lake yesterday, and found a museum we’d never visited just across the ghost town at Goldfield. More pics coming this summer!!
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Looks like you are having a great time. Enjoying the beautiful pictures . Mine https://threebylisa.wordpress.com/2026/03/17/icicle-panies-flower-hour/
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[…] Flower hour with Second Wind leisure perspectiveshttps://secondwindleisure.com/2026/03/17/flower-hour-22-relaxing-beside-desert-greens/ […]
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Gorgeous!
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Very clever Terri, to use this post for many challenges. The desert can be relaxing and beautiful. Well, except for your final flower!
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Beautiful photos, Terri! It’s a very different desert than the Mojave.
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For sure, John, thank you! Hope you have a nice St Patrick’s day!
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Thanks Terri! I stopped drinking late last year… 👍🏻😂
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Thanks for sharing these very impressive photos. How different and surprising nature can be. Here are only wild boars, forests, and … many hillbillies. Lol Have also a wonderful week ahead. Best wishes, Michael
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Thank you for reading, Michael! Your area sounds just fine and I’m sure the plant life is wonderful!
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Relaxing, indeed! Gorgeous desert pics of the cactus! And a happy St. Pat’s Day to you!
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If you can call “strolling” with energetic 40 somethings relaxing! The arboretum was amazing, even an Australian biosphere!
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Ah, I see your point! 😉 But the desert still exudes peace and relaxation!
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It does, we’re not quite used to the heat! It was “cooler” in Arizona last week, compared to San Diego this week! Oh well!
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