Flower Power

This gorgeous work of art bloomed overnight! I was keeping an eye on it throughout a scorching Arizona day and the bud seemed to ripen, but hadn't opened by nightfall.  5am was magic hour!

Which explains the light....by noon the flower was fading.

                                          
                                     No subtlety here. Ostentatious is the order of the day.

These  bloom overnight and wilt by noon.

                           It is a treasure hunt each morning to capture nature's fleeting beauty.

Delicate pink seashells....

     Hedgies are some of my favorite variety of cactus. Their first year and they bloomed!!

Hedgehog cluster throwing out some color




This barrel cactus  is a rescue. My husband found him overturned and left to wither  in the Arizona sun.

This morning's thanks offering.

This is an Arizona Queen of the Night. They are difficult to spot in the wild as they resemble dried out cholla and they need the protection of other plants. This one acclimated to our yard, but has not flowered yet.  There is a photo gallery of them in their natural habitat and a rare picture of the flower.  

Can you discern the new growth?? Maybe it's a bud!!

Cholla grow like evil weeds here. But, even chollas need love!

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           I can take no credit for our gorgeous yard. My husband tirelessly maintains it.
   He has turned out to be quite the "cactus whisperer". Despite their ability to grow in conditions that resemble Hades, they can be very temperamental. Each variety has their particular set of needs. Orchids would be a cakewalk after this!!
The weather has been brutal already, but promises to cool down to the 80's for the weekend!!
Trying to stay hydrated......Ruth