Coming-Out Party

Cholla I planted on our property years ago; now about 8' tall

Becca and I retraced in reverse the long hike we did with Dr. K yesterday; today, however, many of the Prickly Pear Cactus flowers we wished were in bloom then were actually blossoming--hence the many photos of these beautiful flowers.  Although there were other outdoor enthusiasts around the mountain we didn't run into any.  The Cholla flowers pictured in the first three images are from our property; this Cholla, which I planted many years ago, is enormous--easily 8 feet tall.  It's a real beauty.

Beautiful pinkish flowers

Closeup of the Cholla flowers

Mormon Tea flower

Mormon Tea flowers

Spiny little guy

Becca just spotted a few dogs on Geothermal Road

Always stopping for photos I am

Where water runs in the desert

Most of the brighter green plants are Mesquite Trees

Break time

Tortugas and the Organs

Rose-like Prickly Pear flower

Most of these weren't opened yesterday

Closer look

Same cactus, different-colored flowers

Lemon yellow?

More ochre in this yellow

Hanging out in the same pad

Another rose-like blossom

What determines which color blooms where?

Desert Zinnia