ARIZONA UPLAND - FORESUMMER

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During this hot, dry season between the winter and summer rainy seasons the skies are dependably clear and the days become progressively hotter. In June the daily highs regularly exceed 100 degrees F (38 C) with humidity often in single digits. Most plants are dormant, though several important species wait until now to flower.

     All of these images except AZUTucMts26 were taken from mid May to early June, when the legume trees and saguaros are in full flower. (The foothill palo verdes have pale yellow flowers and the desert ironwoods bear lavender flowers.) By this time there has usually been no rain for three months and the sun is searingly hot. The saguaros have a huge store of water that enable them to flower during this hottest, driest season. The trees' roots tap soil moisture two to three feet (up to a meter) deep; the palo verdes have dropped their leaves to conserve moisture. See image AZUTucMts26.html for a description of the late foresummer season.

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