IN FULL BLOOM

Every MARCH WE DEDICATE ABOUT A DOZEN PAGES TO DESERT WILDFLOWERS. THIS YEAR, WE'VE DONE IT AGAIN. POPPIES, PENSTEMON, PRIMROSE ... THEY'RE ALL HERE, AND THEY'RE ALL WORTH A LOOK. IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO BEYOND THE TWO DIMENSIONS OF OUR PHOTOGRAPHY, WE ALSO OFFER 10 SCENIC HIKES FOR SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH WILDFLOWERS. AS YOU'LL SEE, THERE'S NOTHING LIKE SPRINGTIME in the SonORAN DESERT. IMAGINE DOROTHY ON HER WAY TO SEE THE WIZARD.

WILDFLOWER HOTLINE

Because Mother Nature has a mind of her own, Arizona's wildflower season varies from year to year. Without winter rain, an explosion of flowers in the spring is usually a long shot. At press time, we had no idea how much rain we'd get. By the time you read this, though, we'll have a much better idea. That's where our Web site comes in. Visit arizonahighways.com, click "Online Extras," and we'll give you the latest on this year's wildflower season. For additional information, call Desert Botanical Garden at 480-941-1225, or visit dbg.org.

From May to July, scarlet-colored claret cup cactus blooms (left) are easy to spot in Arizona's high desert hillsides and cliffs. A young Rufous hummingbird pollinates a scarlet penstemon (above).