Cactus in Bloom - Tucson

Saguaros, creosote bush and other vegetation at the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.

It was interesting (at least to me, being the geek I am) to compare the Sonoran Desert with the Chihuahuan Desert, where my DH and I live.  The Chihuahuan Desert is termed a "cold desert" since temperatures often drop below freezing during the winter with occasional snowfall.  Because, on average, the altitude is higher (El Paso is at 3800 ft / 1200 m - Tucson is at 2643 ft / 806 m), the summer temperatures are more moderate than in the Sonoran Desert.  Rainfall averages less than 10" per year, most of that coming during the summer monsoon season.  Despite everything, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature has indicated that the Chihuahuan Desert may be the most biologically diverse desert in the world.  Our plants tend to be built on a smaller scale than those in the Sonoran Desert.  

San Xavier del Bac Mission (founded in 1692) located just south of Tucson - this is where I took many of the cactus flower photos

Now on to the cactus blooms - and what glorious blooms they are.  Almost need shades because of the technicolor glow!  Many of the photos were taken at San Xavier del Bac - photo above.  Since none of the cactus were labeled, I have no idea what species they are . . . just that they are amazing!  If you recognize the cactus blooms, please let me know what they are.   If I ever find extra time (ha!), I'll try to identify some later on.  

Orange prickly pear cactus flower

Pink prickly pear cactus flower

Ouch - look at the length of those thorns!  This is a type of prickly pear.