May 19
Yesterday morning, I could hardly wait to check on my hybrid Echninopsis (aka Torch Cactus) and it did not disappoint! The color of this cactus is really incredible and an overcast morning made it really pop. There are more buds so I get to enjoy another round of blooms in a few days. Almost makes up for no wildflowers…..almost 🙂
May 18
I thought my cactus were through blooming but all my Echinopsis in Javelina Cafe are loaded with fat buds! The first bloom appeared yesterday morning on this Echinopsis candicans. There’s a good chance my two hybrids will be full of blooms next. I can hardly wait!
Converted to Black and White and a little color brought back.
May 12
This is the time of year to be looking for bugs and bug eggs….if that interests you, of course! These eggs were along a spine of my Christmas Cholla which should tell you how small they are. I only noticed them because I was using a Macro lens with an extension tube. (I was hand holding so they aren’t very sharp). Click on BUGGUIDE to see hundreds of insect egg photos. I found a couple that looked similar (Stink Bug) but I have no clue. Looking at all the eggs makes me want to find more!
May 11
Ironwood (Olneya tesota) is the largest and longest living tree in the Sonoran Desert and when it’s in bloom it is spectacular! Some years are better than others for blooms and this is a good one. The blooms remind me of Disney’s singing flowers 🙂
May 8
Not to be outdone by the other cactus, my Christmas Cholla (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis) is absolutely loaded with blooms…the most I’ve ever seen! The 1 inch blooms prefer late afternoon light which, coincidentally, so do I 🙂 Captured late yesterday (hand held) with my Canon 100mm Macro lens.
May 7
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) is an Arizona native tree. It’s deciduous which means many don’t like it in their yard because it’s so messy but I think its gorgeous Orchid-like blooms are worth the trade-off!. These were captured at the Desert Botanical garden.
May 6
There is nothing more exciting for this wanna-be botanist than to find a species I’ve never seen before. It doesn’t happen much anymore because I’m exploring in the Preserve so often but I was lucky this past Saturday. While looking for another species, I came across a Violet Snapdragon (Sairocarpus nuttallianus) growing right next to the one I had been looking for! Of course I had no idea what it was so I went to my main source, Steve Jones, and he came through as always. Thanks Steve! And thanks to Chris for helping me hike back up to get a better look yesterday. (It’s a very steep trail)
What look like hairs all over the plant are actually tiny tack-like glands. Very cool.
May 5
Ocotillo (Fouqueria splendens) is also blooming like crazy now too. Like Saguaro blooms, though, these blooms are tough to photograph because they’re typically too high but this specimen is a youngster I planted just last year. I was so happy to see it bloom for the first time! I used a Lensbaby to achieve the really soft background.
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