The rains we had this winter have been just about enough to bring out our wildflowers. However we have had some rather hot days since the rains ended so some flowers have bloomed and gone already.

We usually have vast fields of California and Mexican poppies, but not this year. Oh well, the brittlebush have more than compensated for the lack of little poppies.

Cactus are also great for their floral displays. The colors can range from subtle to very bright, and they stages until bloom are just as stunning. We managed to capture a couple cactus that were either blooming or just beginning. Those that are just beginning to bloom have some very strange buds - almost like aliens.