The Heat Is On

The temperature hit 101 in the shade yesterday.  It seemed to be near 70 degrees (Fahrenheit) before sunrise this morning.  It is getting seriously hot in the Southwest Desert.  There may be a few cooler days later this week, but I put an extra ice cube tray in the freezer anyway.

Above is a photo of a Palo Verde Tree in full bloom.  Enjoy.

On the edge of breaking a sweat,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2012

Tiny Cactus Flowers

We have a break in the monsoonal weather so I have been outside looking for flowers.  I found several tiny mammillaria cacti, growing in the wild, in bloom.  There are over 170 different cacti in the genus mammillaria.  Only 14 of them are native to the United States.  The posted photos illustrate how difficult these tiny cacti would be to spot if not for their vivid flowers.  The flowers, in full bloom, are about 1 inch in diameter.  This species of mammillaria is more or less 3 inches tall.  Some are a few inches taller, but these often tend to lean to the side. Please enjoy the photos.  I just shot them and even though it is a mere 100 degrees outside, as I sit and type this, there is sweat running down my spine.

tiny mammillaria in the wild -- notice the prickly pear pads on the left, wilted in the dry summer heat

Close up of the flower and spines: notice the hooks!

The spines provide the cactus with some shade and protection.

 

if not for the flower, this would have gone unnoticed

                                         view looking down -- notice all the flowers and buds
There may be many more flowers where you live.  They may be larger, more abundant, more colorful, and fragrant.  Here in the wild Southwest Desert summer, the flowers are rare and often small.  We appreciate them, and I hope you have enjoyed them too.  Stay cool.

As ever,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2011