Early Bloomers

We were told to expect a phenomenal sunset tonight, because of the ash from the Alaskan volcano circling the atmosphere. They were wrong. It was a very boring, bland, not so colorful show.

I did however find Ocotillo in bloom! Against the green saguaro, they were beautiful with their bright orange color. I just had to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes and bobcats. There have been a large number of rattlesnakes seen this year already. I have also heard that Tucson has had the highest number of rabies cases this year, compared to several years past.

Everything in the Sonoran Desert has bloomed well before its normal bloom time this year. Most cactus, including the saguaro are supposed to bloom during the summer. Many saguaro have buds on them and some were already in bloom. Now I am in a mad scramble to photograph them before they are done for the year....unless they have a second bloom time? Otherwise, it will be a very monochromatic summer in the desert.