[1] We’ve had a wet winter in the Sonoran Desert, which has led to some of the greenest “carpet” on the mountains that I’ve ever seen here.  Our hike on Sunday morning was beautiful.  I snapped this photo, which included a lovely patch of yellow wild flowers near the top of the ridge.

[2] [3] All the lush vegetation yields more insects à more lizards & birds à more small mammals & snakes à more birds of prey & larger mammals, such as this coyote roaming the streets near our house.

So what is the downside?

1.       More risk to house pets from birds of prey and coyotes.

2.       Huge risk of wildfires when the heat comes this summer.

3.       My allergies (and everyone else allergic to pollen) going crazy.

All in all… the downsides are no biggie, don’t you think?