The cholla cactus is very common in the S/W of the US and can survive in climates that produce temperatures of over 100 degrees with less than 3 inches of rain per year. The heavily spined cactus uses the spines not only for protection, but also as shade for the plant and as air blows through the spines, the plant is cooled down. Another way the plant protects itself is preventing the precious pollen from being washed away and at the same time capturing some moisture. The first photo shows the plant in full blossom and the second photo was taken seconds after Terri sprinkled water directly into the blossom. Isn't nature wonderful.

[luftfluss]

Amazing. That must have been something else to watch.

Thanks for posting these, Bob. I like learning about this stuff.

[Symbio]

Yes, nature is wonderfull. The description is good for more learning.
Nice work.

[Bob Harris]

Amazing. That must have been something else to watch.

Thanks for posting these, Bob. I like learning about this stuff.

Glad you liked the thread, I appreciate your comments. Bob

[slowpez]

Amazing Bob. The change is so immediate and so drastic. Thanks for sharing these and for the info.

[dcmsox2004]

beautiful shots bob... real a treat to see something so foreign to us here in the northeast... dave m

[Den]

Kinda like what happens to us guys when we jump into cold water.

[Bob Harris]

Yes, nature is wonderfull. The description is good for more learning.
Nice work.

thank you for looking and glad you enjoyed the narrative too.

[Bob Harris]

Amazing Bob. The change is so immediate and so drastic. Thanks for sharing these and for the info.

It really surprised me that the flower closed up so quickly too. thanks Bob

[daacon]

Water is truly the essence of life and more precious in the desert than anywhere else. Very well captured buddy.

[Bob Harris]

beautiful shots bob... real a treat to see something so foreign to us here in the northeast... dave m

You have the history, we have the cactus, thanks Dave for taking a look

[Bob Harris]

Kinda like what happens to us guys when we jump into cold water.

EXACTLY the same Den.

[Bob Harris]

Water is truly the essence of life and more precious in the desert than anywhere else. Very well captured buddy.

thanks Dave and oh so true, when it does rain hard in the desert it usually runs off so quickly I have wondered how much the plants can absorb.

[GeoJerry]

Love that cholla cactus, the desert photographer's best friend (and also worst enemy if you happen to bump into it). Do you have any blooming saguaro or ocotillo to show us?

[Bob Harris]

Love that cholla cactus, the desert photographer's best friend (and also worst enemy if you happen to bump into it). Do you have any blooming saguaro or ocotillo to show us?

Here are a few you might enjoy, what do you think?