At Long Last

Enjoying the shadow of the mountain while we can

Finally, the Nipple Beehive Cactus (Coryphantha macromeris) I've been monitoring almost daily for several months has broken out in an abundance of flowers.  Just yesterday I noticed it had a bunch of new buds, but it was a pleasant surprise to see them almost all in blossom.  Although textbooks say the Nipple Beehive Cactus is common to this area I had never seen one until I discovered the beauty pictured below a few years ago; and then I could only identify it with the help of Wynn Anderson, Botanical Curator of the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens at the University of Texas-El Paso.  Since then I have always enjoyed the pleasure of seeing the cactus in bloom.

Breaking into sunlight

It will feel like an inferno soon

Freshly-dug den (2 1/2 X 1 1/2 feet)

It's hot out here

That's why Becca is resting in the shade

An Ocotillo's feeble flower

Scott's Oriole in an Allthorn bush

Same Scott's Oriole on an Ocotillo wand

Another shade break for B-girl

Nipple Beehive Cactus loaded with flowers at last

A delicate pinkish-red hue

The flowers are distinctly different than Hedgehog Cactus blossoms

Pluck at your own peril

Beauty