Desert Totems Scenes from the Southwest water birds and many other

water birds and many other animals coexist - but beware the wily crocodile

secretive and cunning animals

This doorway off of Canyon Road was bursting with bloom and inspired me to capture it in the form of a painting

Pink Zinnia

All the layers of papery petals and the complexity of the interplay of shadow and light make this a challenge to paint

Desert Totems Scenes from the Southwest water birds and many otherWatercolor on gallery wrapped canvas 12" x 16 Part of my Wild October Instagram Painting Challenge Collection. For the subject ecosystem engineers I chose the Sonoran Desert sentinel the saguaro cactus. It is critical to the ecosystem in that it provides food and shelter for many who call the desert home. In addition, its adaptability enables it to survive the harsh environment taking only what it needs and surviving most everything mother nature