Arid Winds Sweep The Desert

AridWindsSweepTheDesert

Dry desert winds are sweeping across the West and Southwest. Large blue-black clouds scud across the sky, like passing galleons, but they don't stop in these ports.

Last night, winds reaching 50 mph came rushing into my garden, threatening to topple the new arbor and the climbing roses, now in bloom.

The powerful and arid wind parches everything in sight. It shakes the tiny burgeoning apples and chokecherries from their branches. Thank goodness for the heavy layer of mulch I applied in early spring, which helps keep the moisture in the soil.

Despite the wind, the hardy desert plants are still greening up nicely. The daffodils, crocus, and irises have spent their flowers, and the hardy daylilies, coneflowers, threadleaf coreopsis, gaillardia, and blue flax, are beginning to bloom fully, and even the Russian sage is sending up violet plumes. The silver lace vine is also blooming, sending its tendrils across the wall into the dry desert outside.

The lavender looks really hardy this year, and will provide a great crop of fragrant flowers and foliage. Shortly, the buddleia will be blooming as well.

My neighbor called today to ask if I was afraid of snakes. A two-foot-long bull snake (non-poisonous) had invaded her garage. I'm sure the snake was searching for food (they eat mice and other small animals) and seeking refuge from the sun and blistering wind. I tried to coax it out, but every time it went out into the sunlight and wind, it recoiled (literally) and quickly headed back into the shade of the garage. Finally, I had to grab it with my hand.

I held its head gently while I walked three or four hundred yards out into the desert and loosed it under a leafy aspen. It quickly disappeared into the shade.

Already, I've seen elk, mule deer, coyotes, and golden eagles coming down from the mountains. Because of the extremely arid conditions this year, they're coming down to six or seven thousand feet searching for food, and the rabbits and jackrabbits are eating my liatris, balloon flowers and blue gramma. It won't be long before the bear and cougar come looking for prey.

It should be an interesting summer and fall.