Cholla Field

This is a good patch of cholla growing in South Mountain Park. 

The desert is nice & green for now (yellow = poppies [see two posts down]), thanks to the February rains. Click on the picture to see the panorama a bit closer.

Cholla

There are a number of types of cholla. This one is either a buckhorn or staghorn. Fairly close either way and right now I'm too lazy to look up the difference. (I'm leaning toward buckhorn).

One with three unopened buds.

With a partially opened bud.

The native bee dives right into the flower and practically swims inside. Look how full the pollen sacks are on the rear legs.