Cactus Blossom Bouquet © 2011 Bo Mackison
I visited the cactus garden in the Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson Arizona this morning and was quite thrilled to find many cacti in bloom after yesterday;s much needed all day rain. The colors are so bright, all shades of pinks and yellows, that it seems a fitting post for the end of a weekend.
So, first a crowd of blossoms along the top of a Prickly Pear pad.
Riot of Cactus Color © 2011 Bo Mackison
And then a riot of color, all the flowers crowded together to make a natural bouquet on this Prickly Pear plant.
Two Blossoms on the Prickly Pear © 2011 Bo Mackison
And then two blossoms in full bloom, surrounded by the long stickers of this Prickly Pear.
What a joy it is to see the desert turn green and the flowers begin to bloom after a desert rain. It doesn’t take much rain either – just slightly more than a quarter of an inch – but the desert knows how to utilize every drop to its advantage. Yesterday’s rain was the first significant rainfall I’ve experienced in Arizona since I arrived in early February.
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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She will be returning to Wisconsin in a few days after living in Tucson for the last two months. She’s been exploring Arizona, taking photographs, and blogging about photography, art, and living life “solo.”
About Bo Mackison
Who would ever have thought a “Prickly Pear” would produce such beautiful flowers? They look almost like tiny rosebuds, opening up into full roses! Just beautiful….
Seems like the most beautiful of flowers are well protected. I love the contrast –beauty with its prickly protection.
Beautiful, soft colors. Quite the contrast with the rest of the plant. However, the rose is also no stranger to a bit of stickiness.
Yes, that mix of colors is an attention grabber. All those swirls of pinks and yellows!
These are beautiful Bo, love the contrast between the thorns and soft colors and light, nicely done !!
Thanks, Bernie. I love being able to capture those contrasts in the desert.
Those are so pretty, Bo! Now I am really missing the desert!
Only a couple more days, Montucky, and the desert travelogue will be finished. I love this land, too. I’ll miss the desert, too.