Roadside rain puddle and storm clouds above the desert.


Raindrops on Queen Elizabeth rose. Jojoba fruit with raindrop jewel. Young opuntia pad with raindrops.





In my last blog, I promised rain pictures. Finally, here they are. It is nice to look back at them now that the summer heat is beginning and remember these cool, lovely days. Yesterday it was 102 degrees, today 105 degrees, and tomorrow is supposed to set a record high for May 17 of 107 degrees. Because of the late rain and rather moderate temperatures up till now (and the nights are still lovely, down in the 70's) the desert still looks colorful. The foothill palo verdes are in full bloom and the ironwoods are just approaching their peak bloom. The saguaros are blooming, and the ocotillos have just passed bloom. Next time I'll show some of the colorful flowers of the late spring/early summer. The photo above is of bookleaf mallee (Eucalyptus kruseana) with raindrops on the leaves.