Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Traveling Tuesdays: Jaunting Along in the Great Basin Desert

The Great Basin Desert is the largest desert in North America. It's outside my door every morning and when I noticed a few flowers blooming, I headed out to the wilderness to snap a few shots of native and wind-delivered flora.

This is the view coming back into Fernley NV near I-80.

 The soil and the flowers don't vary much, but it is such a delight to have natural beauty and color struggling for survival during this years-long drought.


Although these look like dandelions, I'm fairly certain they are a different flower altogether. The black plastic bag was probably blown in by the high winds we've been having for months. Desert critters have a habit of taking refuge in the warmth of the bags, so I left the bag where it was, half buried with sand.

It is fun to get out and walk around to take pictures of the bright, cheerful flowers clinging to the Northern Nevada landscape. It's a great example of the internal battle of nature, where one part stubbornly takes its place for survival against all odds - and wins year after year!

What amazing things are taking place near your home?


Posted by at

21 comments:

  1. Masshole MommyMay 12, 2015 at 12:47 PM

    I drove through Arizona once, but other than that have never actually been in the desert. We definitely don't have deserts here in New England.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ShellMay 12, 2015 at 1:23 PM

    You found the beauty in the desert.

    We live near the beach so it's the ocean's beauty for us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Stacie @ Divine LifestyleMay 12, 2015 at 1:51 PM

    There's beauty everywhere if you just look for it. You certainly found it. Those flowers are gorgeous next to the sand.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Liz MaysMay 12, 2015 at 2:03 PM

    Desert ecosystems are so fascinating. Everything is so well adapted to the climate. It's cool seeing what is able to grow out there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lori GunnMay 12, 2015 at 4:16 PM

      Thanks for visiting, Liz. I am always amazed by the Joshua Trees in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts.

      Delete
  5. MeganMay 12, 2015 at 2:25 PM

    We just drove through the Great Basin Desert last month. I knew it was huge, but I had no idea. I'm amazed my roses are still blooming despite our doubt and only getting tiny moments of water.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lori GunnMay 12, 2015 at 4:13 PM

      Let's hope 2016 brings a safe, sane amount of rainfall and a great snowpack.

      Delete
  6. Meagan IvieMay 12, 2015 at 3:20 PM

    What beautiful scenery! Those wild flowers are so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lori GunnMay 12, 2015 at 4:12 PM

      Thanks, Meagan! I love taking pictures, especially of nature.

      Delete
  7. UnknownMay 12, 2015 at 3:53 PM

    I love how nature survives even in such dry conditions. Just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lori GunnMay 12, 2015 at 4:11 PM

      Thanks for dropping by! I'm constantly amazed at how things grow.

      Delete
  8. Marcie W.May 12, 2015 at 5:11 PM

    We are in Southern Nevada so the landscape you featured is very familiar to me. It looks like you all may have a bit more vegetation up there.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Debra RuttMay 12, 2015 at 6:05 PM

    We have lots of trees, they are all starting to fully bloom. Lilac trees and Magnolias right now - so pretty and fragrant.

    ReplyDelete
  10. mail4roseyMay 13, 2015 at 4:41 AM

    Lookee there!! Flowers! Whoda'thunkit! We have all of our trees blooming here. We're counting days for how long they take to get full. It really does happen quickly!

    ReplyDelete
  11. JeanineMay 13, 2015 at 7:12 AM

    Wish I live near a beautiful desert. Sadly nothing as lovely around where I live in the city. Trees all look beautiful with Spring colors but other than that nothing special.

    ReplyDelete
  12. debdennyMay 13, 2015 at 7:52 AM

    Neat what is out there when you look. Great pics.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ann BMay 13, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    We have been exploring our cities water front walkway a lot lately. It is so fun to watch the fish and turtles swimming around.

    ReplyDelete
  14. CrystalMay 13, 2015 at 11:06 AM

    The desert is so beautiful. The little splashes of color really stand out.

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownMay 13, 2015 at 11:09 AM

    I have a thing for desert flowers! Such pretty shots

    ReplyDelete
  16. C.MahanMay 13, 2015 at 4:49 PM

    Love the flowers! It's so neat that thing can grow in the sand like that. I need to get moving on my travels and exploring.

    ReplyDelete
  17. rachel ferrucciMay 13, 2015 at 9:16 PM

    I've always wanted to drive through the desert to experience it. It would be cool to see the things that can grow in such a place- the flowers you found were so pretty

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)