Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Nature's regeneration in the desert


I decided to do a little photographic demonstration of the regeneration of trees here in the desert southwest.  I've mentioned before that our trees start showing fall colors in December and start losing their leaves in January.  Above is a photo looking up into one of the trees that line my driveway.  As you can see the tree has lost most of it's leaves.

And, the proof can be seen in the carpet of leaves that now cover my driveway.

When the buds for the tree's new foliage start popping out, I'll take another photo to show you how quickly the trees recover from their winter hibernation.  It's interesting to me how these plants have adjusted their lifecycle to the desert weather.

16 comments:

Billy Blue Eyes said...

I think out trees are starting to bud now, mind you I've not checked as it's been to wet

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I suspect that the people who live in the snow do not consider it to be much of a change of seasons for trees to drop leaves in 60 and 70 degree weather in December and January.

Thank you for dropping by last evening. It was a delightful dinner.

Andy said...

That's a short dormant season. Lucky you.

Kate said...

Nature at its best, adapting to the environment. Perhaps we could take a lesson from that?

LONDONLULU said...

Really goes to show how versatile nature is - love the two shots, there's a pretty subtle light and line.

Lowell said...

That could be Ocala! Funny thing is that our water oaks lose their leaves (or most of them) every fall and every spring, but they come back quickly.

It can really be a mess if you have an uncovered pool surrounded by water oaks and pine trees. I speak from experience!

Fortunately we have moved and no pool no more forevermore! :)

Judy said...

I'm sure it won't be long before you see new leaves with the warm weather you have been having. Our trees have some tight little buds on them but will not start to open for several months.

Karl said...

No snow? :-)
Like the top shot, Sharon!

Unknown said...

Interesting study, Sharon.

Catalyst said...

I loved the Phoenix trees in the summer but the fall (of leaves) was agonizing.

RedPat said...

I can hardly wait for spring!

Jack said...

You should count the days between dropping leaves and forming buds. Or, is it hours?

Randy said...

It's a Semi-Autumn.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Will be interesting to follow the cycle Sharon.. It really doesn't seem to take long from naked to dressed :)

William Kendall said...

A very short dormant season!

Kathy said...

We have a similar deleafing (new word!) schedule here in East Texas. In fact, many of our oak trees start sprouting new leaves before the old ones have fallen.