The cactus we rescued from a nearby park has four new paddles this spring. It started out as a single paddle in 2010 and has grown to the point where I’m going to have to plant it out in Damsel’s rock and cactus garden west of the house. I posted about this cactus when two new paddles appeared in July of 2011. I also posted about it last August. Click on the image to enlarge.
While Bob was in the post office, I wandered over to the garden display area of our local discount department store. I just love the colors of fresh springtime flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
We went to the valley yesterday to do some shopping at Wal Mart. As we drive southeast on US Hwy 60, the Hassayampa River follows the roadway until we get almost to Morristown, where the river turns south and heads toward its confluence with the Gila River. Damsel took this picture of the Hassayampa with the Vulture mountains in the background. What a beautiful desert we have! Click on the image to enlarge.
Spring brings out blossoms on most of our cacti, shrubs and trees. The Arizona State Tree is the the Palo Verde. This is a photo of a tree in the wash in full bloom. A close-up of some individual blossoms can be seen in the inset. Click on the image to enlarge.
The forecast for our town predicted a high of 95° today, but on our patio, it got up to a bit over 100° in the shade. I checked the Phoenix metro area and they were also at 100. It is usually 5 to 10 degrees cooler here as compared to the valley, but not this afternoon.
Speaking of the valley, we will be going down there tomorrow to shop for a few things not generally available here in town. A stop at Wally World should do the trick. Photo courtesy of the Damsel. Click on the image to enlarge.
Last night, the flowers started opening. I took this image this morning of the first flower. As I post this, the second flower is opening and I will get a photo of it in the morning. A third flower pod will probably open in a few days. Click on the image to enlarge.
This Schlumbergera is one of the first houseplants I bought locally for the Arizona house. Even though it’s popular name is Christmas cactus, this one seems to have its flowers in April like an Easter cactus. No matter, though, the flowers are very pretty. Click on the image to enlarge.