Second Spring is upon us. The Cimarron sage bushes by the driveway have erupted with tiny purple flowers. I took this photo this afternoon as the sun was getting low in the western sky. I look forward to a lot more flowers, not only on the sage, but cacti and elsewhere before fall sets in. I’ll be taking pictures, of course. Click on the image to enlarge.
Another flower opened up today on the Bishop’s Cap Cactus. In the past, we have had flowers way into November, so expect to see more of these yellow flowers from time to time. Click on the image to enlarge.
The Red Bird of Paradise flowers in the courtyard are still going strong. Alas, it won’t be long until Autumn when they begin to go dormant. Next year, I expect them to be bigger and better in their third season here. Click on the image to enlarge.
Once again, this happy cactus is in bloom. It seems to do so all summer long. We originally bought this cactus in a three-inch plastic pot near Chandler, AZ, about fifteen years ago. After the first couple of years, this cactus has given us flowers every summer and even more so now that it is back in Arizona. Click on the image to enlarge.
A black butterfly lit on my red bird of paradise in the courtyard this morning. I love the red birds not only for their vivid colors, but that they attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Click on the image to enlarge.
It’s quite a mouthful to pronounce the name of this little flower, but it is accurate, it seems (jim-no-cal-LEE-see-um freed-er-EEK-ee-eye). I purchased the tiny barrel cactus with the big name that produces these flowers at a cactus and succulent show in California a few years ago. The parent barrel is no longer producing flowers, but it grew a satellite barrel that produced this one today. Click on the image to enlarge.
