I keep forgetting to post a #pricklyPear update! I hadn't checked on them in a bit and imagine my surprise 
(I got pads as a Christmas present and had been intermittently watering them over the winter but they didn't seem to be rooting and I didn't know if it was because they were dormant or defunct)
Sometimes I stray away from my nature art to create comics (like this) more about current events. Read more on my latest blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/its-time-for-another-comic
@peterwyrm it's a real ecological monster 
#pricklyPear
If you have limited time to create art try working SMALLER not FASTER! Here’s my Santa Rita Prickly Pear art that I (almost!) finished while plein air painting, because I kept it small (only 2.5”x2.5”). See more on my latest blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/how-thinking-small-can-lead-to-success
Hey there! 
Just had to share one of my newest Southwest creations - 'Desert Beauty'! Hope it brings a touch of desert charm to your day. Have an amazing one! 
https://1-lisas-baker.pixels.com/featured/desert-beauty-lisa-s-baker.html
#WellnesWednesday
#MidweekMotivation
Barrel Cactus fruits 
- Saguaros, Prickly pears and Chollas in the back 
Looking at desert plants has been a nice boost to my motivation during this cold week
Looks like the weather will improve slightly towards the weekend 
This one looks healthier with less damage, growing in a roadside rest area
Violet Prickly Pear?
- Red Rock State Park, AZ
Soothing violet on red cliffs 
I saw healthier samples in artificial settings, but I like this much better
Here’s December from my Tucson Yard Journal series. In Dec. we have continued wildlife & avian visitors; the beautiful late light on the mountains & glorious sunsets happen year-round. 
verde valley, arizona
august 1958
prickly pear
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dboo/51842922609
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dboo/2244742166/
part of an archival project, featuring the photographs of nick dewolf
© the Nick DeWolf Foundation
Image-use requests are welcome via nickdewolfphotoarchive [at] gmail [dot] com
@thepoliticalcat I take it you can plant succulents and cacti? I’m planting more of those these days. (see #pricklypear #cacti in this photo)
Male Western Tanagers have been compared to “a flame” due to their bright orange, yellow & black coloration. I recently got to see 1 in our neighbors’ pine tree in Tucson, AZ & illustrated it for my Perpetual Journal.
Interesting, prickly pear cactus cultivation in North Africa under threat from cochineal. (neither is native to North Africa, they are both American). https://phys.org/news/2024-07-insect-infestation-ravages-north-african.html #pricklypear #cactus #food #foodsupply
#BloomScrolling
Wall of spikey weeds on #MerriCreek
#Thistle (+ bees) #pricklypear
#BlackBerry
Prickly pear starting to show a little color. In Michigan. #cactus #michigan #pricklypear
For today’s #SciArtSeptember prompt “Heart”, here’s my art of a Prickly Pear cactus with a heart-shaped pad. The heart shape isn’t artistic license - we see these 
-shaped Prickly Pear pads from time to time here in Tucson.
All the #pricklypear ripening at once. Can't eat that much myself, so going to try to dehydrate these. #cactus #garden
In today’s blog post I shared my December Yard Journal, weather & wildlife updates, & 3 book recommendations about cold climate critters. 
https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/tucson-yard-journal-december
