Dearth of Blooms

Cylindropuntia fulgida

Gymnocalycium mesopotamicum

Echinopsis pentlandii longispinus

Our three and a half month period of monsoon season began yesterday, but there's no humidity or cloud buildup because it has been relatively cool for this time of year. One-third or more of our annual rainfall happens during this season, and we are running behind in average rainfall so far, so we really need it!

Lots of things happen during the monsoon period. Temperatures rise, and the humidity rises. The storms can be dangerous, sometimes bringing no-visibility dust storms, high winds and flying debris, microbursts, lightning strikes, uprooted trees, flash floods, and downed power lines. But, the storms are beautiful when they happen, with all the rolling dark clouds, lightning and of course, the much needed rain.

With the rain, the vegetation becomes quite lush for awhile. Some cacti will bloom, but for the most part, they remain in summer dormancy. The cactus flowers I've shown today are the only ones I've had for a couple of weeks.

We usually have a few folks who drive through raging washes, not knowing how deep and swift the water can get. If they drive into a wash and have to be rescued, they will be fined under our "Stupid Motorist" law.

Every year, I seem to lose a few trees. So far in the four years I've lived on this property, we've lost a total of six trees to microbursts. I don't want to part with any more!