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A Mourning Dove greets the new day sunrise in North Scottsdale, Arizona. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

I am always struck by the contrasts and beauty of the Southwest desert. The blue sharp angles of the agave and the delicate yellow petals of the poppies blowing in the wind.

One of my sources of inspiration is to walk the paths and trails throughout the Desert Botanical in Scottsdale. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

This little Cactus Wren on one of my morning walks through the nature trails in Las Sendas in Northeast Mesa. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

This Cactus Wren was gathering nesting materials this Spring. They are not above raiding the nests and abandon nests of other birds in seach of straw and other soft nesting materials. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

The desert comes alive in the Spring with Brittlebush and Fairyduster just a few of the many plants in bloom. Seems like something is always in bloom throughout the year on the desert floor. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Brittlebush and bumble bees seem to go together and are ever present throughout the Sonoran Desert. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

The Salt River can be swift and it can be calm. Add the backdrop of Red Mountain, mirrored reflections and Cattails and you have great scenery and great photo ops. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

I like the positive and negative shape relationships in this photo. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Talk about timing. One bird at rest, one taking flight. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

This Dove resting on its nest built on a narrow inset ledge on a Saguaro cactus. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

This old farm plow was in a field up in Pinetop, Arizona. Kind of put out to pasture... but in the field a real beauty. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Saguaro Cactus and Creosote bush in Arizona. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Motion of the Sunflower was caught by using a slow shutter speed. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Desert floor was covered with these up around Williams, Arizona. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Again this Prickly Pear Cactus bloom is a study in contrasts. Red and Green, soft red petals and sharp, prickly green pads. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Saw this at the Desert Botanical Garden and was struck by the color, positive and negative shapes. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

When you think of a desert, you don't always think of it as populated with plants and flowers. The beauty is striking and also dangerous. Many have perished because they hiked a bit to far without enough water. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Cholla cactus were in bloom toward the end of spring. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

The blue of the Agave and its formidable sharp arms are a fitting compliment to the yellow desert poppies. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

I love the color on the Prickly Pear cactus after the blooms have fallen off and the fruit turns bright magenta. A striking complimentary color scheme and a study in composition. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

This Cactus Wren was harvesting the Saguaro fruit. Some Native Americans still harvest the fruit using long poles. There is plenty to harvest from the desert if you know where to look. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

The mysterious Superstition Mountains shrouded in misty clouds on a cold, rainy day on the Sonoran Desert. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

You don't usually get a close shot of these little rabbits. They are a bit skittish and shy and won't stay still for long. Also one of the Coyote's favorite prey. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Moonrise on the Sonoran Desert. Ocotillo arms outstretched toward the sky. Great shapes. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Las Sendas desert pond after a thunderstorm the day before. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

This is just a great Barrel Cactus with fruit and spines. Spines seem to interlock protecting the plant. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Agave with surrounded by desert wildflowers in full Spring bloom. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Winter sunset on the Sonoran Desert. You can see these and more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.

Paloverde tree and desert vegetation blowing in the breeze. Shot with a slow shutter speed. I love the movement and texture. You can see more of my exclusive images on http://www.istockphoto.com.