Spring is Springing - Part 2

Yesterday was the first day I had to use my air conditioner since early November. It's warming up in Big Bend! I've been on a bloom scouting trip and here's what I've found:

Desert Bighorns eat yucca flowers!

Chisos Hedgehog Cactus

The Chisos Hedgehog Cactus is one of our rare ones. There are several people in the park working to inventory these guys with GPS. They grow only at certain low elevations and are often poached by cactus collectors who can't resist adding a rarity to their collection. Which of course only makes them more rare.

The Texas Rainbow Cactus

The Texas Rainbow Cactus is blooming now on the Hot Springs Canyon Trail out of Rio Grande Village. A hiker I passed at mid-morning said they had all been closed when she passed by earlier.

More Texas Rainbow Cactus

Warnock Cactus under a creosote bush

Ocotillo buds are just starting to open in Rio Grande Village area


Torrey Yucca and Ocotillo, Boquillas area


Mormon Metalmark on Feathery Dalea

Reakirt's (?) Blue on Feathery Dalea